Collaborations between faculty member and students promotes interdisciplinary research

Dawn Langley-Brady, PhD, is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, Nursing Science Department. Known nationally for her research on essential oils, Langley-Brady is passionate about pain and symptom management, stemming from compassion for her patients over her 35-year nursing career.

“As a certified clinical aromatherapist, I’ve seen the positive effects of aromatherapy for pain reduction in clients and patients. Aromatherapy uses aromatic plant extracts to enhance mental, physical, and emotional well-being. However, exactly how aromatherapy works is not well studied,” said Langley-Brady.

She is active in several national and international organizations applicable to her research expertise, of which a full list can be found at the end of this article. Beyond her extracurricular contributions, CON and AU students directly benefit from her advisement and collaboration on topics of pain management and essential oils.

“Collaborators bring their unique perspectives to the research problem. It is impossible to know everything, so reaching out to others who can complement your skillset is the only way to be successful in research.”

Langley-Brady has served on PhD committees and co-advised DNP student projects, giving her the opportunity to engage with students with a variety of passions. Her influence is not limited to the graduate level, as she finds immense fulfillment in working with undergraduate students as well.

“I love to ignite the spirit of inquiry within undergraduate students and hope they become passionate about research in the process. Additionally, I gently push students out of their comfort zones and guide them to present and publish if able.”

Langley-Brady is currently a research collaborator and thesis panel adviser for three different student projects. Her students come from a diverse background of college majors and participate in variety of AU programs including the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS), the Graduate School’s Student Training and Research Program (STAR), and the Honors Program (HONR).

“As a thesis panel advisor for honors students, I act as a research mentor for students who must participate in research and develop a prospectus and final thesis after completing the research. My role in working with CURS students is to give them as many research learning opportunities as possible. The extent of student participation in research depends on their training, competency, course schedules, and time.”

While Langley-Brady is a nursing faculty member, her student’s majors and research are part of a broader scope that extends beyond nursing. Interdisciplinary collaboration is critical for the pursuit of a variety of research, but especially in pain management.

“Pain spans all disciplines from physical therapy, nursing, dental offices, doctor’s offices, oncology, rural health, and more.” Multimodal approaches to pain management are best and may include several disciplines such as medicine, nursing, physical and/or occupational therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, art, movement, culinary medicine, herbalism, aromatherapy, energy work, and spirituality.

Kinesiology/Pre-Nursing (CNL) student, Brandi Bramwell, participates in the CURS and Honors programs at AU. Her research focus is on The Effect of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Essential Oil on Pain Pressure Threshold, which is a portion of one of Langley-Brady’s current funded studies. Langley-Brady serves as her thesis panel advisor.

Lydia Utomwen is a member of the CURS and Honors programs and has developed her own study under Langley-Brady’s guidance. She is a pre-OT student studying kinesiology with a concentration in health science. Langley-Brady serves as a thesis panel advisor for her research, Comparing the Essential Oil, Carbon Dioxide Extract, and Hydrosol Derivatives of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and Their Effects on Pain-Pressure Threshold. Her thesis project is set to be finalized before the end of Fall semester.

Truc-Mi Hoang is conducting a third study, outside of the lab. A nursing student in the BSN program, Hoang is also part of CURS and plans to graduate in Spring of 2025. She is focusing on a Systematic Review of Lavender Essential Oil for Primary Dysmenorrhea and hopes to submit this for publication before graduation.

Stephanie Felonta, a senior nursing student in the BSN program, is active in CURS, the new Dean’s Nursing Honors Program, and the Graduate School’s STAR Program. With Langley-Brady as her research mentor and honors program advisor, Felonta developed her own study under Langley-Brady’s guidance.

Felonta is pursuing research on Potential Changes in Pain-Pressure Threshold After Inhalation of Essential Oils. Her study with Langley-Brady is being funded through a Student Research Project Studio Grant. Before graduation, her goal is to present at a national conference and submit study findings for publication.

Ameya Agnihotri (Cellular and Molecular Biology) and Jasmine Patel (Pre-Dental) are both members of CURS and active in the lab as well. Both have been assisting with current studies.

Featured in the above photo is Julie Bishara, a cellular and molecular biology major who assisted in the lab from Fall of 2023 to Spring of 2024. She has since transferred to a molecular lab, but her contributions are much appreciated, and her presence will be missed.

“Engaging undergraduate students in research sparks their interest while dispelling any negative perceptions they may have. Research is truly amazing, and I like to think that by posing a question, conducting a study, and seeing the result, we ignite the spirit of inquiry. Students discover that change and amazing progress is not only possible, but a promising reality.”

*Dr. Dawn Langley-Brady is involved and/or a member with:

Society for Integrative Oncology

National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

Alliance for International Aromatherapists

International Clinical Aromatherapy Network

International Association for the Study of Pain

US Association for the Study of Pain

American Holistic Nurses Association and its subsequent CSRA Chapter