Nurse Researcher of the Year Award
AONL Foundation Nurse Researcher of the Year Award
Do you know a nurse researcher whose work is transforming nursing leadership and health systems science?
The AONL Foundation Nurse Researcher Award honors individuals who exemplify excellence in original, methodologically rigorous, and impactful research. We seek nominees who set the bar for research excellence. Their work demonstrates—or shows strong potential to demonstrate—far-reaching influence through:
- Scholarly contributions and citations
- Influence on policy or clinical practice
- Measurable benefits to communities and society
Ideal candidates conduct research aligned with the AONL Foundation’s 2025–2027 strategic priorities, advancing nursing leadership and driving meaningful health care transformation.
Nominees also demonstrate excellence in leadership and collaboration by:
- Cultivating a supportive research environment
- Mentoring staff nurses, practice leaders, and early-career researchers
- Securing research funding to sustain ongoing work
- Actively disseminating findings through presentations, publications, community outreach, and accessible science communication
Eligibility:
- Must be a full AONL member.
- Sitting members of the AONL Foundation Board or the AONL Board are not eligible.
Nomination Requirements:
- Nominators must provide a brief narrative describing how the nominee’s work has impacted the field at the micro, meso, and macro levels.
Nominate a colleague who is shaping the future of nursing leadership through research!
Nominations will open in fall 2026 for the 2027 Nurse Researcher of the Year Award.
See previous award recipients.
Amany Farag is an associate professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, and co-director of the VA Quality Scholars Program at Iowa City Veterans Affairs. Her work includes collaboration with the University of Iowa College of Engineering to develop AI-driven predictive models for nurse scheduling, as well as the use of computer vision and wearable technologies to assess fatigue and improve patient safety. Farag’s research has shaped nursing leadership practice through initiatives such as the AONL/ALSN Research Advisory Group and contributions to AONL’s Workforce Committee, including the white papers The Role of the Nurse Manager in High-Turnover Environments and Implementing Team-Based Models of Care. Her work on burnout in patient aligned care teams and interprofessional discharge teams within the VA, along with her leadership in the VA Quality Scholars Program, continues to advance workforce well-being, team-based care and health system performance.
Amany Farag, PhD, RN, received the AONL Foundation Nurse Researcher of the Year Award from Tina Mammone, PhD, RN, CENP, NEA-BC, executive director, AONL Foundation at the 2026 AONL Inspiring Leaders Conference.