Faculty

Jenna M. Wheeler is an assistant professor at UCF’s College of Nursing. As a practicing registered nurse with nearly 15 years of experience in the neonatal intensive care unit, she has witnessed firsthand the effect of preterm birth on families. Wheeler’s research focuses on the mother-father relationship and mental health during pregnancy utilizing a mixed methods approach. Her long-term goal is to build a program of research that develops family-centered interventions to ultimately improve birth and health outcomes for all families.

Education

• Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Central Florida
• PhD in Nursing, University of Central Florida
• BSN, University of Central Florida
• BS in Biology, University of Central Florida

Selected Editorial Activities

• Reviewer, Infant Mental Health Journal

Selected Awards & Honors

• Drs. Diane and Thomas Andrews Postdoctoral Research Award, 2024
• Top Graduate Poster, Theta Epsilon Chapter, Sigma International Honor Society of Nursing, 2023
• March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship, 2022
• Wiley Top Cited Article of 2021-22 in Public Health Nursing Journal
• Wiley Top Downloaded Article of 2021 in Public Health Nursing Journal

Selected Professional Activities

• National Association of Neonatal Nurses, former President Central Florida Chapter
• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
• Sigma International Honor Society of Nursing
• Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science
• Southern Nursing Research Society