By Tom Gresham
Hannah Khan discovered her interest in research when she was a student at Virginia Commonwealth University Nursing school. Khan, from Leesburg, in Virginia, is finally graduated from VCU with a nursing baccalaureate and has become an authorized nurse. She worked as a nurse in pediatric users, then returned to VCU, where she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in biobehavioral research at the nursing school.
Khan is now a research coordinator for the RAMS study at the nursing school. She shared with VCU Health News how she got involved in the research and work that inspires her today.
How do you plan that your research will have an impact on patients in the future?
THE Rams The study team studies the link between brain health and movement, aimed at developing mobility measures that can detect the first signs of cognitive decline in the elderly. This research is vital to improve health results and emphasizes community engagement in order to include the populations historically in hand served in research.
What inspired you to continue this search line?
My research journey started during my undergraduate studies when I received an email on a research scholarship. Although I do not know about what the program would imply, I applied. To my surprise, I was accepted, and this experience turned out to be a transformer, opening my eyes to many opportunities and revealing that I like the research process.
Thanks to my scholarship project with Lana Sargent, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Dean Associate for Practice and Community Commitment to the School of Nursing, I was initiated into the concept of research literacy. I was inspired to explore more how people understand research, the motivations that influence participation and the means to improve research experience for study participants. This new passion led me to continue my doctorate. In order to study these themes more, which ultimately has a lasting impact in the community through research.
Hannah Khan, illustrated here with a research assistant in the RAMS study, said that the most fulfilling part of research is the opportunity for a significant community commitment. (Kevin Morley, marketing and corporate communications)
Tell us about a surprise in your research journey.
I was surprised by the way an application to a research scholarship program changed the orientation of my life. At the start, I never planned to continue additional studies after my baccalaureate, and I did not plan to develop an interest in research. However, once I was in the scholarship program, I found myself immersed in a world of possibilities that I had previously neglected.
Tell us about an obstacle or a challenge that you must have overcome in your work.
At the start, I had a hard time balanced school, work and my social life, because competing requests were often crushing. I noticed that I had little room for personal care, which let me feel burned. However, over time, I learned what works best for me. I prioritized organization and time management to find a more manageable balance. I also recognized that it was essential to set borders and to be intentional to plan the time for myself. In doing so, I improved my well-being, which ultimately allows me to be more involved in my life.
Is there a memorable partnership or a lesson you adopted along the way?
During my research scholarship, I met Sargent, who was an incredible mentor for me. His advice was invaluable, not only offering his expertise, but also his overview of the importance of patience, perspective and dedication.
What do you find satisfactory in the research process?
What I find most fulfilling in research in research is the opportunity for a significant community commitment. The RAMS study addresses the obstacles that often prevent people from participating in research by working with the Richmond community. By bringing research directly to the poorly served populations, we help to make sure that their voices and their experiences contribute to research. Knowing that our work promotes inclusiveness and representation in research is very rewarding.
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