UCLA Nursing PhD candidates selected as Jonas Scholars

Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), announced that two UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing PhD candidates, Charlotte Bryant, MSN, RN, and Paolo Roca, MSN, RN, PHN, CNE, PMH-BC, have been selected as Jonas Scholars for the program’s 2026-2028 cohort. This program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.

Bryant and Roca join a select group of 80 of the nation’s most promising doctoral nursing students chosen for their passion for teaching, academic excellence, and research prowess. As a Jonas Scholar, both will receive financial support, mentorship, and a curriculum tailored to providing students with the learning experiences they need to successfully transition into a faculty role.

"We are tremendously proud of Charlotte and Paolo for being selected as Jonas Scholars," said UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing Interim Dean Barbara Bates-Jensen, PhD, RN, WOCNF, FAAN. "This recognition reflects their dedication to advancing nursing science and their efforts to address critical health challenges. Their commitment to improving health outcomes exemplifies what it means to be a Bruin Nurse, and we look forward to the impact they will make in academia, research, and patient care."

A graduate of UCLA’s BS and en route MS in Nursing programs, Charlotte Bryant’s doctoral research focuses on rural hospital closures and their resulting impact on healthcare access and outcomes, under the supervision of Professor Dottie Wiley, PhD, RN, FAAN. With a clinical background in emergency, trauma, and critical care nursing, Bryant is committed to advancing system-level advocacy for equitable rural healthcare, while continuing her academic career as an educator to prepare and empower the next generation of nurses.   

"Being named a Jonas Scholar is an incredible honor and an affirmation of my commitment to research that highlights the importance of emergency and prehospital care and identifies gaps in rural health services," said Bryant. "I am grateful for the mentorship and support I have received at UCLA and look forward to using this opportunity to help me further explore ways to improve patient and community health outcomes in underserved areas. "

Paolo Roca is an aspiring clinical researcher focused on improving health outcomes of underserved populations. Immigrating from the Philippines as a teenager, Roca saw firsthand how culture, language, and history shape how families seek and receive care. His research focuses on health equity for Filipino Americans and other underserved communities, with attention to access, connection, and engagement in care. He uses community-based, culturally and linguistically congruent approaches so that the people most affected help shape the solutions. His work is supervised by Professor Felicia Hodge, DrPH, and Assistant Professor Anthony Tolentino, PhD, RN, NI-BC, FAMIA. 

"I am honored to join the Jonas Scholars program and to be recognized alongside such an inspiring group of future nurse leaders," said Roca. "Through the support of this program and the guidance of my mentors, I hope to advance equitable, culturally responsive care and contribute to the education of future nursing professionals."

Theses UCLA Nursing students join a talented group of doctoral nursing students. This group of 80 Scholars contain a multitude of research interests focused on some of the country’s most pressing challenges, including pediatrics, mental health, and veterans’ health. 

Learn more about the Jonas Scholars Program 

About Jonas Nursing
 The mission of Jonas Nursing is to enhance the nursing profession by developing nurse leaders who will address the nursing shortage by educating the future nursing workforce and by investing in the health and well-being of our most underserved communities. For more information on Jonas Nursing, visit their website.

About the American Association of Colleges of Nursing 
AACN is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 890 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. For more information about AACN, visit their website and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.