Faculty member inducted into Hall of Fame

A College of Nursing faculty member is among 26 who have been inducted in the latest class of the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor Jiying Ling received the honor, bestowed by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Ling joins more than 300 others who have received the honor in the past 17 years. According to Sigma Theta Tau, this group of inductees represent Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States and have achieved significant, sustained national or international recognition for their research.

“Being inducted is both deeply humbling and profoundly meaningful to me. It affirms the value of prevention-focused, interdisciplinary nursing science and reinforces my commitment to advancing whole-child health through rigorous and innovative research,” Ling said. “This honor reflects not only my work, but also the dedication of students, collaborators, families, and communities who have partnered with me throughout this journey.”

Ling said she is appreciative of her nominator, Associate Dean for Research Susan Buchholz, as well as Professor Emeritus Gwen Wyatt, Professor Lorraine Robbins, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus Barbara Given and Professor Emeritus Bill Given. Additionally, she credits University of Kansas Professor Barbara Polivka and Shandong University’s Kefang Wang, who is dean of its School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, for writing letters of support.

Ling has been a leader in the college in research focused on encouraging healthy eating and physical activity among youth. She is currently in the middle of a $5.8 million NIH-funded grant targeting mindfulness and nutrition for preschoolers.

“This year’s honorees represent the best of what nursing research can achieve,” said Lucas M. Davis, Sigma Theta Tau’s chief executive officer. “Their scholarship has elevated the profession and connected communities locally and globally. We are proud to have them as part of the Sigma community.”

The inductees will be honored in Toronto in July.

This story was published April 30, 2026.