Maya EliasPhD, MA, RN
Assistant Professor
Rebecca & Eli Almo Endowed Faculty Fellow
Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Informatics
Centers for Research Excellence
- Center for Innovation in Sleep Self-Management
- de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging
As a geriatric critical care nurse scientist, it is my long-term goal to build a program of interdisciplinary research that improves outcomes for older adults. I develop and test non-pharmacological interventions for the secondary and tertiary prevention of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and geriatric syndromes—which can include delirium, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)—in older adult ICU survivors. My commitment to improving outcomes for older adults is demonstrated by my focused pursuit of research collaborations in geriatrics across clinical settings and transitions of care. My current program of research is supported by an NIH/NIA K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23AG078448) to conduct a randomized clinical trial applying sleep and circadian science-based approaches to cognitive interventions. I completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship, funded by an NIH/NINR F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32NR018585), to examine the impact of sleep disturbances on cognitive function in a cohort of English- and Spanish-speaking older adult ICU survivors. Moreover, while pursuing my PhD in Nursing Science and Master’s Degree in Gerontology, my clinical experiences at the bedside as a Neuroscience Registered Nurse fueled my passion for scientific research. Collectively, my research and clinical experiences provide the foundation to contribute to the intersection between science and practice in geriatric critical care nursing.
- Research Interests: Geriatrics, critical illness, delirium, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), sleep and circadian rhythms, post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), geriatric syndromes
- Health Equity
- Innovative Interventions
- Lifespan Health
- Symptom Science
- Registered Nurse, 2013
- Regional Geriatric Nursing Research Award: New Researcher, 2022/01, Western Institute of Nursing
In 2001, WIN established the Geriatric Nursing Research Awards in partnership with the John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. The overall goal of the awards is to foster and showcase geriatric nursing research.
- National Institute on Aging Butler-Williams Scholar, 2021/08, National Institutes of Health
The Butler-Williams Scholars Program is led by the NIA Office of Special Populations as a crucial component of the institution’s efforts to promote rigorous aging research and address health disparities. Since its inception, the Butler-Williams Scholars Program has produced an engaged alumni network across the United States comprised of individuals who have built successful aging research careers, obtained NIH funding, and secured key leadership roles.
- Sleep Research Program for Advancing Careers (SOAR) Fellowship, 2021/08, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Young Investigators Research Forum (YIRF) Scholar, 2020/08, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Best Master’s Student Paper Award, Aging and Public Health Section, 2014/11, American Public Health Association
- Pegasus Gold Scholar, 2013/08, University of Central Florida
- Youth Volunteer of the Year, 2008/05, Life Care Center of Orlando
- National Merit Commended Scholar, 2008/08, National Merit Scholarship Corporation
- LEAD Scholars Student Leadership and Service Scholarship, 2008/08, University of Central Florida
- University Graduate Fellowship, 2015/08, University of South Florida
- State of Florida Nurse Educator Scholarship, 2015/08, University of South Florida
- Patricia A. Burns Scholarship, 2017/01, University of South Florida College of Nursing
- Lois Pope LIFE Fellowship Award, 2019/04, University of Miami School of Medicine
- NIH F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2019/04, National Institutes of Health
The purpose of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Award is to enable promising postdoctoral scientists to obtain individualized, mentored research training while conducting biomedical research in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
- NIH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, 2023/09, National Institutes of Health
The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award program (K23) provides support for an intensive, mentored research career development experience for individuals with a clinical doctoral degree who have made a commitment to patient-oriented research.
- Rebecca and Eli Almo Endowed Faculty Fellow , 2025/07, University of Washington
5-year endowment term to retain faculty with programs of research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
- Nomination for the 2025 University of Washington Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, 2025/05, University of Washington
- Standing Member, National Institute on Aging, AGCD-3 Study Section, 2024/10, National Institutes of Health
2024-2025 Standing Member: National Institute on Aging, AGCD-3 Study Section
- Invited Ad-hoc Reviewer, National Institute on Aging, AGCD-3 Study Section, 2023/10, National Institutes of Health
2023-2024 Invited Ad-hoc Reviewer: National Institute on Aging, AGCD-3 Study Section
- NCLIN 411: Transition to Clinical Practice
- NMETH 801: Practice Doctorate Project
- A Multi-Modal Combination Intervention to Promote Cognitive Function in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors, National Institute on Aging