Jennifer Smith, PhD, RN
Jennifer Smith is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing. Her area of research focuses on the cardiovascular health of care partners living in rural areas. She earned her PhD in Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science from the University of Kentucky, where she focused on how taste genetics interacts with eating behavior. Jennifer’s work currently focuses on the development of technological solutions to help people from vulnerable populations improve cardiac health through better self-care.

Ashmita Thapa, PhD, RN
Ashmita Thapa is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Tennessee
College of Nursing, specializing in cardiovascular health among rural populations. She earned her PhD in Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from the University of Kentucky, where she was recognized with multiple research and
presentation awards. Ashmita’s work bridges clinical nursing expertise with advanced research, focusing on improving the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.

Geunyeong Cha, PhD
Geunyeong Cha is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing, focusing on cardiovascular health in older adults. Her research explores how exercise and daily physical activity can improve movement, fitness, mood, memory, and overall well-being. She aims to develop practical programs that help older adults with cardiovascular health needs stay active, maintain their independence, and enjoy healthy longevity in their everyday lives.

Jia-Rong Wu, PhD, MSN, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Jia-Rong Wu is a professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing. She has served as a principal investigator, co-investigator, and project director on several multi-site national and international studies. Dr. Wu is a cardiovascular nurse scientist with expertise in self-management intervention research, including improving insomnia/sleep disturbances and self-care behaviors (physical activity, medication adherence, symptom perception) among adults with cardiovascular illnesses and their care partners.
Dr. Debra K. Moser, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN

Debra Moser is a professor at the University of Tennessee, College of Nursing. Her research program focuses on testing biobehavioral self-care interventions in populations with notable health disparities including rural individuals, caregivers and other vulnerable cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure patients, in order to improve morbidity and mortality. She studies CVD risk reduction in people at high risk for CVD and heart failure. In this work, she has developed a comprehensive training program for CVD risk reduction that emphasizes engagement in physical activity.