Emmons-Dean’s Award honors innovative nursing dissertation using swallowing sensors to detect heart failure early
The College of Nursing is proud to announce that Juvel-lou Velasco is the Spring 2025 recipient of the prestigious Emmons-Dean’s Dissertation Award (EDDA). This $5,000 award supports an outstanding PhD student as they undertake innovative and impactful dissertation research.
Velasco, an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specializing in heart failure, cardiology, palliative care, and remote monitoring, will use the funding for her dissertation project. Her research investigates the use of Dysphagia Strain Sensors (DSS) to detect difficulty swallowing and excessive fluid buildup in patients with heart failure (HF). The study aims to assess the feasibility of using this novel wearable sensor technology to identify early signs of Decompensated Heart Failure (DHF). This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid accumulation and a worsening of symptoms. Utilizing these sensors could address an urgent clinical need by potentially reducing hospitalizations.
The student award was established through the generosity of the Laurence B. Emmons Dissertation Award, which initially provided $2,500 in funding. Upon arriving at the college, Dean Ahn matched the existing donor support, increasing the award to $5,000 per semester and reinforcing the college's commitment to student-driven research excellence.
“I am incredibly thankful to receive the Emmons-Dean’s Dissertation Award. This support means so much—not only to me as a researcher, but to the patients who may one day benefit from earlier detection and better management of heart failure symptoms through wearable technology, said Velasco. “I’m grateful for the College of Nursing’s commitment to innovation and patient-centered research.”
“Juvel-lou’s work exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking, patient-centered research that the college is proud to support,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, Dean of the College of Nursing. “By investing in our PhD students through the dissertation award, we not only advance nursing science but also empower the next generation of nurse leaders to shape the future of healthcare.”
“The dissertation award is a critical resource for our PhD students, allowing them to conduct meaningful pilot studies that lay the foundation for long-term, externally funded research,” said Terry Badger, PhD, RN, who co-announced the award in a letter to Velasco. “Juvel-lou’s project stood out for its innovation, clinical relevance, and the strength of the investigative team supporting her.”
Velasco's interdisciplinary research not only showcases her clinical expertise but also aligns with national research priorities in digital health and cardiovascular care. With the mentorship of her faculty advisor, Shu-Fen Wung, PhD, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, an expert in digital health monitoring, and additional guidance from Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, and Marcelo Roveda, PhD, Velasco is well-positioned to conduct a rigorous and impactful study. Reviewers praised her proposal for its robust design, clearly defined criteria, and the application of validated tools and statistical methods. The project’s potential to uncover a distinct pattern of electrical activity associated with heart failure-related dysphagia (HFAD) could pave the way for earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.
Juvel-lou Velasco is now part of an esteemed group of previous Emmons-Dean's Award recipients. Congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition! The College eagerly anticipates the outcomes of her promising study and its potential contributions to heart failure care and the future of digital health research.