Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures, Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN!
Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures, Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN!
Get to know PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures, Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN!
By Katrina Fu
By Katrina Fu
Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN
Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN
Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN
Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN is a Nurse Scientist at the Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She also serves as the Associate Director of the Pediatrics and Family Health Core within the Cantor Center’s Precision Health Symptom Science Program.
Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN is a Nurse Scientist at the Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She also serves as the Associate Director of the Pediatrics and Family Health Core within the Cantor Center’s Precision Health Symptom Science Program.
In this Q&A, meet Ijeoma Eche-Ugwu, PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures!
In this Q&A, meet Ijeoma Eche-Ugwu, PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures!
In this Q&A, meet Ijeoma Eche-Ugwu, PETAL Consortium’s Co-investigator in Quality of Life Measures!
What led you to becoming a nurse?
What led you to becoming a nurse?
I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to be a nurse. My path wasn’t shaped by caring for a loved one or by a long-standing certainty that nursing was my calling. My journey into nursing felt rather unremarkable, dare I say, a little boring (ha!). I had always loved writing, especially creative writing, and imagined myself pursuing a career built around storytelling, though I wasn’t sure what form that would take. My mother’s encouragement led me to enroll in a nursing program, and I’ve never looked back! What began as a practical decision soon evolved into a deeply fulfilling vocation.
I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to be a nurse. My path wasn’t shaped by caring for a loved one or by a long-standing certainty that nursing was my calling. My journey into nursing felt rather unremarkable, dare I say, a little boring (ha!). I had always loved writing, especially creative writing, and imagined myself pursuing a career built around storytelling, though I wasn’t sure what form that would take. My mother’s encouragement led me to enroll in a nursing program, and I’ve never looked back! What began as a practical decision soon evolved into a deeply fulfilling vocation.
Why did you want to specialize in oncology, hematology, and pediatrics?
Why did you want to specialize in oncology, hematology, and pediatrics?
It truly felt serendipitous. As a nursing student, my affinity for pediatrics stood out while completing my clinical rotations. I was captivated by the complexity and vitality of pediatric care. That early interest deepened when I had the opportunity to work at Boston Children’s Hospital as a clinical assistant on the hematology and oncology unit. This formative experience not only enriched my clinical skills but profoundly shaped my professional trajectory igniting my passion for nursing science.
It truly felt serendipitous. As a nursing student, my affinity for pediatrics stood out while completing my clinical rotations. I was captivated by the complexity and vitality of pediatric care. That early interest deepened when I had the opportunity to work at Boston Children’s Hospital as a clinical assistant on the hematology and oncology unit. This formative experience not only enriched my clinical skills but profoundly shaped my professional trajectory igniting my passion for nursing science.
What inspired you to go into medical research?
What inspired you to go into medical research?
As a clinical assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital, I quickly realized that hematology and oncology were my passions. As I transitioned into a staff nurse role, I found myself increasingly drawn to the questions that arose in daily practice, sparking a desire to explore deeper. I then pursued a PhD and completed a postdoctoral fellowship to develop and refine the necessary skills to investigate these questions. My interest in research was ignited specifically through my interactions with patients. Their resilience and complexity of their care inspired me to examine how we can enhance their quality of life.
As a clinical assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital, I quickly realized that hematology and oncology were my passions. As I transitioned into a staff nurse role, I found myself increasingly drawn to the questions that arose in daily practice, sparking a desire to explore deeper. I then pursued a PhD and completed a postdoctoral fellowship to develop and refine the necessary skills to investigate these questions. My interest in research was ignited specifically through my interactions with patients. Their resilience and complexity of their care inspired me to examine how we can enhance their quality of life.
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
Why did you want to join PETAL Consortium?
I met Dr. Salvia Jain, lead investigator of PETAL Consortium, several years ago at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where I worked as a nurse practitioner. She was discussing her work as a physician-scientist and her efforts to build a global research consortium. I was immediately intrigued not only because of my interest in improving care for patients with T-cell lymphoma, but also because I saw an opportunity to contribute insights from my own research. Dr. Jain invited me to collaborate, and the rest is history!
I met Dr. Salvia Jain, lead investigator of PETAL Consortium, several years ago at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where I worked as a nurse practitioner. She was discussing her work as a physician-scientist and her efforts to build a global research consortium. I was immediately intrigued not only because of my interest in improving care for patients with T-cell lymphoma, but also because I saw an opportunity to contribute insights from my own research. Dr. Jain invited me to collaborate, and the rest is history!
What does a week-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?
What does a week-in-your-life at PETAL Consortium look like?
It’s a typical day in a research-intensive environment: fast-paced and dynamic. My time is divided among multiple meetings with research team members, collaborators, and mentors. I spend significant hours reading, writing, thinking, and engaging with both current and prospective study participants for my research projects. I’m constantly discussing ongoing and future projects. The days often feel too short!
It’s a typical day in a research-intensive environment: fast-paced and dynamic. My time is divided among multiple meetings with research team members, collaborators, and mentors. I spend significant hours reading, writing, thinking, and engaging with both current and prospective study participants for my research projects. I’m constantly discussing ongoing and future projects. The days often feel too short!
Any interests/hobbies?
Any interests/hobbies?
I love soccer and creative writing. I specifically enjoy writing poems and doing open mics, but I haven’t done any open mics since college.
I love soccer and creative writing. I specifically enjoy writing poems and doing open mics, but I haven’t done any open mics since college.
Favorite TV show/movie?
Favorite TV show/movie?
Too many, but I love Coming to America.
Too many, but I love Coming to America.
What’s your perfect meal?
What’s your perfect meal?
Nigerian yam porridge.
Nigerian yam porridge.
Dream vacation destination?
Dream vacation destination?
Paris and South Africa!
Paris and South Africa!
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
Since we’re PETAL Consortium, favorite flower?
Red roses 🌹
Red roses 🌹
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved