Assistant Professor of Nursing at University of Houston Clear Lake Texas, United States
Dr. Nisha Mathews, Ph.D., RN, is a distinguished nursing scholar, educator, and researcher with a strong commitment to advancing health equity, cultural competence, and public health within diverse communities. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, she brings over two decades of clinical and academic experience across the U.S., Ireland, and India. A recipient of the prestigious Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship and a Scholar of the STTI Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy, Dr. Mathews also serves as the Research Chair of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America. Her research portfolio includes over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and numerous international and national presentations, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, health disparities among South Asians, and nursing education innovation. Dr. Mathews’ interdisciplinary work and leadership reflect a deep dedication to empowering nurses, addressing healthcare inequities, and promoting culturally competent care across the healthcare continuum.
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Nisha Mathews holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from Texas Woman’s University (2020), where her dissertation focused on “Cultural Competence and Knowledge of South Asian Culture of Registered Nurses Working in an Urban Hospital Setting.” She earned her M.S.N. in Nursing Education from Walden University in 2013, completing a project on “Fall Prevention Among the Elderly.” Her foundational nursing education began at Delhi University’s R.A.K. College of Nursing, where she completed a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Nursing in 2003, researching “Knowledge of Waste Disposal Among Post-Natal Mothers in a Maternity Unit.” Her academic path reflects a consistent focus on culturally sensitive care and patient safety.
💼 Professional Experience
Dr. Nisha Mathews brings a rich and diverse professional background spanning clinical practice, nursing education, and research. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the R.N. to B.S.N. Program at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, where she contributes to shaping future nursing professionals through academic instruction and mentorship. Her clinical experience includes roles at H.C.A. Houston Clear Lake, where she provided interdisciplinary patient care across multiple units including Progressive Care and Geropsychiatry. She has also served as a pediatric and emergency RN in Ireland at Our Lady’s Hospital for Children, and as a cardiac and pediatric nurse at Escort Heart Institute in Delhi, India. Dr. Mathews is known for her collaborative approach, excellence in patient and family education, and leadership in culturally responsive care practices across international healthcare settings.
🔬 Research Interests
Dr. Nisha Mathews’ research interests are rooted in advancing culturally competent healthcare, reducing health disparities, and improving public health outcomes among minority populations, particularly South Asian communities. Her scholarly work explores critical areas such as cultural competence in nursing, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, maternal health equity, and social determinants of health. She is especially passionate about examining racial and ethnic disparities in chronic disease management and patient outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Mathews is committed to transforming nursing education through innovative teaching strategies like HyFlex learning and critical thinking development. Her research reflects a strong interdisciplinary approach, combining nursing science, public health, and health informatics to drive systemic change and equity in healthcare delivery.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Nisha Mathews has been recognized for her academic excellence and leadership in nursing through several prestigious honors. She was awarded the Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship in 2020 for her outstanding contributions to nursing education and research. Further affirming her leadership potential, she was selected as a Scholar of the Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy by Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), a globally respected honor society of nursing. In addition, she currently serves as the Research Chair for the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA), reflecting her trusted expertise and commitment to advancing the profession through scholarly excellence and mentorship. These accolades highlight her ongoing dedication to impactful research, inclusive leadership, and community engagement within the field of nursing.
📚Publications Top Noted
1.Cultural Competence Case Studies
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Karen Alexander, Shaine Joseph, Yesenia Chavez
- Year: 2025
- Citation: Mathews, N., Alexander, K., Joseph, S., & Chavez, Y. (2025). Cultural Competence Case Studies. Association of Black Nurse Faculty Foundation Journal, June 13, 2025.
2. An exploration of self-perception of weight status, weight-related variables, and preferences for weight management strategies among South Asians in the US
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Maya Joseph, Lydia Albequerque, Peter Chen
- Year: 2025
- Citation: Mathews, N., Joseph, M., Albequerque, L., & Chen, P. (2025). An exploration of self-perception of weight status…. Clinical Obesity, March 5, 2025.
3. Obesity-Related Biases Among Health-Care Personnel in Radiological Examination Environment: Impact, Manifestations, and Solutions
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Jolly Joseph, Maya E. Joseph, Elizabeth G. Munoz, Loretta T. Lee
- Year: 2024
- Citation: Mathews, N., Joseph, J., Joseph, M.E., Munoz, E.G., & Lee, L.T. (2024). Obesity-Related Biases Among Health-Care Personnel…. Journal of Radiology Nursing, Dec 2024.
4. Expanding Educational Opportunities for Nurses: Faculty and Student Reflections of a HyFlex Pilot Program
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Karen Alexander, Sandra Jenkins
- Year: 2024
- Citation: Mathews, N., Alexander, K., & Jenkins, S. (2024). Expanding Educational Opportunities for Nurses…. Association of Black Nurse Faculty Foundation Journal, June 3, 2024.
5. Nurses Breaking Down Barriers to Sizeism
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Jen Pettis, Loretta Lee, Holly Carpenter
- Year: 2024
- Citation: Mathews, N., Pettis, J., Lee, L., & Carpenter, H. (2024). Nurses Breaking Down Barriers to Sizeism. American Nurse Journal, February 15, 2024.
6. Racial Disparities in Diabetes Care and Outcomes for Patients with Blindness/Low Vision: A Descriptive Analysis of the TriNetX Research Network
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, C. Madlock-Brown, A. Lee, J. Seltzer, A. Solomonides, J. Phuong, N. Weiskopf, W. Adams, H. Lehmann, J. Espinoza
- Year: 2024
- Citation: Mathews, N., Madlock-Brown, C., Lee, A., et al. (2024). Racial Disparities in Diabetes Care…. Preprint, February 3, 2024.
7. Health Disparities Among the South Asians in the United States
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Shaine Joseph
- Year: 2024
- Citation: Mathews, N., & Joseph, S. (2024). Health Disparities Among the South Asians…. Journal of Nursing Research and Practice, January 9, 2024.
8. Registered Nurses’ Cultural Competence and South Asian Culture Knowledge: A Quantitative Study
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Sandra Cesario, Ann Malecha, Pinky Shani
- Year: 2023
- Citation: Mathews, N., Cesario, S., Malecha, A., & Shani, P. (2023). Registered Nurses’ Cultural Competence…. Association of Black Nurse Faculty Foundation Journal, December 13, 2023.
9. The Use of Care Bundle on Pressure Injury Prevention Education and Its Impact on Patient Outcomes
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, Shaine Joseph
- Year: 2023
- Citation: Mathews, N., & Joseph, S. (2023). The Use of Care Bundle on Pressure Injury Prevention…. Association of Black Nurse Faculty Foundation Journal, December 12, 2023.
10. Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Asian Indians in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
- Authors: Nisha Mathews, L.H. Albuquerque, A.B. Luckose, M. Joseph, S. Devarayasamudram, E. Mahon
- Year: 2023
- Citation: Mathews, N., Albuquerque, L.H., Luckose, A.B., et al. (2023). Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy…. The American Journal of Nursing, December 6, 2023.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Nisha Mathews is exceptionally qualified for the Research Hypothesis Excellence Award. Her consistent contributions to cultural competence, health equity, and education innovation in nursing underscore her dedication to formulating and testing socially impactful research hypotheses. With her growing scholarly output, national leadership, and commitment to underrepresented populations, she embodies the values this award seeks to recognize. Minor enhancements in hypothesis articulation and grant visibility would further elevate her candidacy—but her profile already meets a high standard of research excellence and societal relevance.