Meet AACN's Faculty Scholars

Dr. Tonychris Nnaka is associate professor of nursing, associate vice president for health research and innovation, and executive director of the Health Research and Innovation Center at UNT Health. A nurse scientist, epidemiologist, and educator, his research focuses on AI and digital therapeutics to improve chronic disease self-management and prepare healthcare professionals to integrate emerging technologies into clinical practice. He pioneered a graduate nursing concentration in Digital Health Innovation and AI at UNT Health. His research has received federal support from NIH and HRSA. He completed an NINR-funded T32 doctoral fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin and NIDA-funded T32 postdoctoral fellowship at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. Before entering academia, Dr. Nnaka practiced as a surgical and trauma critical care nurse and held clinical and health policy leadership roles.

Dr. Natalya Pasklinsky is associate professor and assistant dean of the Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center at Columbia University School of Nursing. She leads AI-driven simulation and interprofessional education spanning seven health professions. A 2026 Google AI Fellow and Columbia AiX Fellow, she is pioneering the use of AI avatars in nursing education and became chair of the AIHC Innovation Collaborative in September 2026. She directs a global collaboration with Semmelweis University in Budapest, including a joint simulation-based course in compassionate communication. Previously executive director of Simulation Learning at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Dr. Pasklinsky led the center’s Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation and the rollout of an academic electronic health record. Her work is supported by the NIH and Columbia University and has been presented nationally and internationally.