Emory School of Nursing welcomes faculty appointees

The Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing welcomes six scholars to its faculty this fall – appointments reflecting the school’s continued growth in enrollment and research.

Tia S. Deas-Young, PhD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Previous Position: Assistant Teaching Professor and Biology Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot

Teaching/Research: Deas-Young is a trained molecular virologist who previously investigated flavivirus replication strategies and treatments. She has also worked in infectious diseases, specifically those with potential use as bioterrorist weapons, and currently teaches prerequisite courses, including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.

Brandi Middour-Oxler, DNP, CPNP-BC
Assistant Clinical Professor 

(She also serves part-time as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, and Cystic Fibrosis Transition Program Coordinator, Emory and Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Care Center.)

Previous Position: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory School of Medicine, and Cystic Fibrosis Transition Program Coordinator, Emory and Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Care Center

Teaching/Research: Middour-Oxler specializes in relationship-centered communication among cystic fibrosis patients, teaching clinicians how to support youth moving to adult care and advancing research on communication, symptom management, and equitable care experiences.

Megan K. Murphy, PhD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Previous Position: Visiting Assistant Professor, Oglethorpe University

Teaching/Research: Murphy is an immunologist who previously investigated autologous antibody responses to HIV-1. Alongside instruction in prerequisite courses such as human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology, her recent Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research examines the efficacy and acceptability of analogical learning approaches for teaching microbial symbiosis.

Yuanlu (April) Sun, PhD, RN, CLT
Associate Clinical Professor

Previous Positions: Assistant Professor, University of Missouri; Assistant Professor, University of Iowa

Teaching/Research: Sun’s scholarship advances chronic illness and cancer survivorship care through digital health, data science, and person-centered approaches that promote self-management, holistic rehabilitation, and health equity.

Erin Rachel Whitehouse, PhD, MPH, RN 
Associate Clinical Professor

Previous Position: Epidemiologist, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Teaching/Research: Whitehouse is a nurse epidemiologist who focuses on global health and infectious diseases and the varied roles of nurses in public health. She teaches public health didactic and simulation courses for pre-licensure BSN and MN students.

Yaguang Zheng, PhD, RN, FAHA 
Acting Associate Professor

Previous Position: Assistant Professor, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing

Teaching/Research: Zheng focuses on diabetes management through biobehavioral intervention supported by digital health and AI to improve cardiometabolic health, with 60+ publications, National Institutes of Health funding, and interdisciplinary student mentorship.

About the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing  

As one of the nation’s top nursing schools, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is committed to educating visionary nurse leaders and scholars. Home to the No. 1 master’s, No. 1 BSN, and No. 2 DNP programs nationwide, the school has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing. The school offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and non-degree programs, bringing together cutting-edge resources, distinguished faculty, top clinical experiences, and access to leading health care partners to shape the future of nursing and impact the world’s health and well-being. Learn more at nursing.emory.edu.