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Sarah Lievano

Congratulations to senior Sarah Lievano, a Freshman Direct Admit Nursing BSN student, who was named the 2026 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year for the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing! Lievano will receive the award at Florida Atlantic University’s 57th annual Honors Convocation on April 15.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Lievano expressed. “Four years ago, I never would have pictured myself in this position. As my academic interests and ambitions have grown and shifted, receiving this recognition has reassured me that I am pursuing the path meant for me.”

Lievano is investigating how transportation accessibility affects social isolation, loneliness and cognition among rural middle-aged and older adults. This research is especially relevant because social isolation and loneliness are significant, yet often poorly addressed, social determinants of health associated with an increased risk of depression, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and premature mortality.

“Existing evidence suggests that socially isolated older adults face a higher risk of dementia; meanwhile, those living in rural areas are often underrepresented in research and may be further disadvantaged by limited transportation access and fewer available resources,” explained Lievano. “This study aims to clarify whether transportation access affects isolation and dementia risk in these populations and to help inform future policies, practices and interventions.”

As an undergraduate researcher, Lievano credits Lisa Ann Kirk Wiese, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Nursing, as a supportive faculty mentor who consistently encouraged her creativity to shape ideas and research questions.

“She gave me every opportunity to succeed, disseminate my findings and strengthen my research skills,” shared Lievano. “Her support was instrumental in earning the Undergraduate Researcher of the Year award and completing my degree. I am sincerely grateful for her mentorship.”

Lievano noted that the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) played a key role in her ability to complete her research. As a selected participant in OURI’s 2025 Summer Undergraduate Fellowship (SURF) Program, she was provided with the time, resources and funding required to conduct summer fieldwork and collect data for her study.

“The SURF award gave me access to several informational presentations that further supported my research development,” said Lievano. “In addition, serving as an OURI mentor strengthened my confidence in presenting, enhanced my ability to engage others in research and enabled me to support students throughout their research journeys. Also, I greatly appreciated the OURI staff who were always kind and supportive.”

In February 2026, with assistance from Dr. Wiese and the College of Nursing, Lievano attended the Southern Nursing Research Society’s (SNRS) 40th annual conference to present her research in Austin, Texas.

During her time at Florida Atlantic, Lievano has been a stellar student. Her grades have consistently placed her on both the Dean’s List and the President’s List.

She has also been the recipient of numerous other awards, including: the Spirit of the Atlantic Scholarship (2022-2026), a Gerontechnology-Focused Student Undergraduate Research Experience (GSUR) Washington State University: “Testing the Feasibility of Wearable Technology to Detect Dementia Risk in a Rural Older and Racially/Ethnically Diverse Setting” grant (2025), Kay Carpenter Nursing Scholarship (2024), Lamplighter Scholarship (2022), and Esther Saylor Rothenberger Scholarship (2022).

“I have been truly blessed throughout these four years to receive several academic scholarships and awards,” shared Lievano.

Following her anticipated graduation in May 2026, Lievano plans to work in an intensive care unit and continue to apply her research skills whenever possible. She also intends to attend graduate school in the near future.