Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Dr. James Muchira, an assistant professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, has been named an American Academy of Nursing Jonas Policy Scholar. This program, funded by Jonas Philanthropies, supports early-career scholars seeking to build their knowledge and aptitude in health policy, the policy processes, and the interconnection of politics. The program enables scholars to connect and collaborate with expert nurse leaders on the academy’s health policy priorities.

As a maternal health expert, Dr. Muchira studies how cardiovascular risk is transmitted from parents to children. He received the Heilbrunn Nurse Scholar Award to investigate the association between maternal ideal cardiovascular health and childhood obesity among children aged 1-5 years. His current research focuses on the effect of maternal stress and arterial stiffness on early risk factors and epigenetic markers of cardiovascular disease in young children. Dr. Muchira is among six fellows participating in the fellowship. Over two years the scholars will engage in direct policy actions that align with the academy’s policy priorities: advancing health equity and championing wellness, promoting innovation and sustainability, and reducing patient, provider and system burden. Fellows are mentored by members of the American Academy of Nursing National Policy Mentoring Committee and work closely with the senior director of policy and policy assistant to promote the academy’s vision to impact and influence health policy. Fellows also participate in an immersion program in Washington, D.C., interacting directly with partner organizations and policymakers at the federal level to foster change-making relationships.