Nancy Pike, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CPNP-AC/PC, FAHA, FAAN, Joins the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing

The Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing is excited to announce the newest addition to its faculty: Dr. Nancy Pike, who on Jan. 3, joined as the Associate Dean for Research to lead the school’s Office of Nursing Research and Innovation. Dr. Pike is a distinguished nursing scientist with a strong background in acute care pediatric nursing. Her specialties are pediatric cardiology, particularly the area of adolescent congenital heart disease, neurodevelopment, and cognitive outcomes.

An American Heart Association-recognized leader, Dr. Pike comes to UCI from UCLA, where since 2009, she contributed significantly to the understanding of biobehavioral and neurocognitive aspects in children with congenital heart disease by probing the biological interface of poorly understood areas of cognition/memory and brain structural injury. Her highly innovative research has evolved with a focus on cognitive interventions to improve working memory and ability for self-care. Dr. Pike has also been successful in obtaining external research funding and has demonstrated a keen ability to mentor doctoral, post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, and junior faculty in research projects.

As the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing’s new Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Pike will lead the knowledge-generating enterprise of the school. Her primary focus will be on organizing research aspects to assist faculty with extramural funding, especially targeting NIH funding. She will work closely with research faculty, identifying new talent and setting the direction for the school’s research enterprise. Her expertise will significantly enhance the school’s strategic plan by improving its research capacity. Her ultimate goal is to facilitate faculty in obtaining funding, advancing their research, and identifying key areas for new study.

“Nancy Pike is nationally and internationally recognized as an innovative leader in cardiovascular nursing research,” said Dean Mark Lazenby. “Her research in cognitive deficits and brain structure in adolescents with congenital heart disease is truly groundbreaking. As the school’s research dean, she will use her knowledge and skills in nursing research to elevate our school’s research,” he continued.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Dr. Pike is a golf enthusiast, enjoys oil painting, hiking, and actively engages in fundraising for Camp del Corazon, a nonprofit for congenital heart disease families on Catalina Island. Dr. Pike’s arrival marks a pivotal contribution to the nursing school’s mission to combine research, teaching, and clinical excellence.

Dr. Pike comments, “I am excited to grow the school’s research mission through the mentorship of students and faculty, and the development of the Office of Nursing Research and Innovation. My overarching goals are to build a diverse research funding portfolio, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and research teams, build knowledge, and support nursing innovation to improve the health and well-being of patients, families, and the community.”