Jenny Alderden, associate professor in the School of Nursing, received the 2025-2026 College of Health Sciences Excellence in Research Award.
The Excellence in Research Award is given to a research scholar in the college to celebrate the scholarly contributions of a faculty member. The award recognizes a substantive body of work and exemplary scholarly achievement by an individual in their discipline with a national or international reputation.
Alderden continually receives highly competitive external funding. She is the site primary investigator for two National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Nursing Research R01 awards that total more than $5.5 million. Colleagues note that this is an exceptional level of federal investment that highlights the significance of Alderden’s work. She has also secured grants from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and Sigma Theta Tau, reflecting broad national recognition of her innovative research agenda.
“Dr. Alderden is nationally recognized for her leadership in pressure injury prevention and the application of artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes,” Lucy Zhao, associate professor in the School of Nursing, said. “Her scholarship has substantially advanced understanding of pressure injury risk, early detection, and prevention strategies, shaping both clinical practice and national guidelines and reinforcing her standing as a leading voice in this field.”
Since 2022, Alderden has published more than 25 peer-reviewed articles, many appearing in high-impact journals such as the International Journal of Nursing Studies and the American Journal of Critical Care. Her work ranges from explainable AI models to large clinical studies, demonstrating methodological rigor and a research program that is both creative and impactful.
Alderden’s leadership extends beyond her own scholarship. She serves in key national roles with the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, contributes to multiple editorial boards, and is widely invited to speak on pressure injuries and AI. Her recent induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing—the profession’s highest honor—attests to the extraordinary impact of her contributions to nursing science.