Meet Our Students:
Alexa Andersen, MA, BSN, RN, RYT
I’m a lifelong Spartan & truly bleed green-&-white! In 2008, I married my MSU college sweetheart at the MSU Alumni Chapel; we also had our reception at the MSU Union, & Sparty even came wearing a tuxedo! I earned my first BA in Psychology back in 2007 & then my BSN in 2020; I also earned my MA degree from Bowling Green State University down in Ohio (go Falcons!). I live with a handful of chronic, invisible illnesses that greatly impact my life, which has fully informed my PhD-program research (my focus is on how emerging adults with invisible disabilities experience stigma & how this stigma affects their mental health); I love serving as a disability advocate & hope to make this a more widely-known issue in nursing – both for those patients we serve, as well as for nursing students/nurses alike who live with such challenges! In addition to working with students & the disability community, I’m also very interested in work with gender-related issues, the LGBTQ+ community, & social justice issues in general.
Lauren Beam, MSN, RN
I am currently a first-year PhD student and full-time fixed term faculty in the MSU BSN program. My research focuses on emergency nursing and health system operations. My dissertation focuses on the direct bedding process in the emergency department. I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky and now live in the Plymouth area with my daughter, fiancé, and dog Goose. In my free time I enjoy reading, trying new foods, and traveling.
Orawee Changrueang, MSN, RN
I earned a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2014 from Khon Kaen University, Thailand. I worked as a registered nurse in a medical ICU for seven years, primarily caring for heart patients. In 2021, I completed a master's in Adult Nursing, which led me to pursue a PhD. My research focuses on physical activity motivation in patients with advanced-stage heart failure and kidney disease in palliative care. Concerns about risks, such as injury or health deterioration, often lead to sedentary behavior and reduced motivation. By addressing knowledge gaps and promoting healthy behaviors, I aim to develop tailored interventioned that improve adherence to physical activity and patient outcomes.
Teresa Ng, BSN, RN
I enjoy playing with my bunnies and spending time with my fiancé. I am a third-year PhD student, and my research focuses on promoting resilience against suicidal ideations among high school adolescents. After graduating, I hope to pursue post-doctoral training at a research-intensive institution.
Kornkanya Pengpala, MSN, RN
My nursing journey began with a deep desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals experiencing serious health issues. This passion led me to work with intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) during hospitalization. Over 16 years as a medical ICU nurse, I witnessed how prolonged ICU stays and MV often result in lasting physical function impairments for post-ICU patients, limiting their independence and placing significant burdens on their caregivers. Transitioning from my role as a medical ICU nurse to a university nursing instructor has been a transformative experience. It has inspired me to grow as an educator and motivated me to pursue an advanced degree. This journey has deepened my understanding of research and its potential to enhance outcomes for post-ICU patients and their caregivers. Additionally, it has allowed me to guide and empower future nurses in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. My research focuses on supporting post-ICU patients and their caregivers, particularly in underserved communities where resources are limited, and caregiving challenges are substantial. Through education, research, and advocacy, I aim to contribute to the nursing profession by driving positive change and improving health outcomes for post-ICU patients and their caregivers
Esra'a Sawalmeh, MSc, BSN, RN
I am a PhD student, a wife, and the mother of Ryan and Adam, the kidest kids ever. I am also working as a research assistant. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing from Hashemite Univeristy and a master's degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology. My research interest focuses on materal and neonate health.
Jutamas Suwannawat, MSN, RN
I am originally from Thailand and hold a Bachelor of Nursing Science and a Master of Nursing Science in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from the Faculty of Nursing at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in nursing, with my research focusing on promoting resilience to reduce depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress among emerging adults. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading books, and staying active through running and hiking.
Hesam Varpaei, MSc, BSN, RN
It is heartbreaking when a person can no longer recognize their loved ones, a reality faced by many living with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia. My research explores how sleep and gut microbiota contribute to cognitive impairment in individuals with heart failure, a population particularly vulnerable due to both disrupted sleep and microbiota imbalances. I am investigating the complex interplay between these factors; hoping to uncover underlying mechanisms that could lead to early detection and future interventions. Ultimately, my goal is to improve quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease while reducing the burden on families and the healthcare system. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, reading books, cooking and baking new recipes, making crafts, and doing some cardio workouts. I love animals, especially dogs, so if you have a dog or a cat, please say hi to them for me! List of my publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=oEXBO-MAAAAJ&hl=en
Alli Walsh, BSN, RN
I'm from the south suburbs of Chicago. I earned my BSN from Michigan State University in 2023 and am currently a BSN to PhD student in the College of Nursing. I work as a research assistant for the nursing faculty here and also as a registered nurse on an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit. My research focuses on how social media impacts the mental health of early adolescents (ages 11–14). In my free time, I love reading, spending time outside, and watching horror movies!
Recent Graduates:
- Dr. Wachira (Kellen) Suriyawong (Fall 2023)
- Dr. Mohammed Alanazi (Fall 2023)
- Dr. Lauren Pageau (Fall 2023)
- Dr. Muna Alali (Summer 2023)
- Dr. Eakachai Kantawong (Fall 2022)
- Dr. Karla Palmer (Fall 2022)
- Dr. Patty West (Fall 2021)
- Dr. Callie Harris (Summer 2025)