ITONF Research Subcommittee
ITONF is proud to announce the formation of the ITONF Research Subcommittee (IRSC) in 2023. The IRSC’s main objectives are to raise awareness and interest in thoracic oncology nurse-led research and provide research related education and mentorship. Their first meeting was held on March 9, 2023, and the IRSC has been meeting on a regular basis since then.
The IRSC’s members include:
- Yeur-Hur Lai, PhD, RN, FAAN (Taiwan) – Professor & Dean, College of Nursing, MacKay Medical University; Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing, National Taiwan University. Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nursing Research
- Yun-Hsisang Lee, PhD, RN (Taiwan) – Associate professor, National Taiwan University, School of Nursing. Director, Dept. Nursing, National Taiwan University Cancer Center
- Meng-Ping Hsiao, RN, MS (Taiwan) – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Thoracic Oncology Department of Nursing, Taipei City Hospital
- Catherine Henshall, MN, RGN, MA, PhD (UK) – Professor of Nursing at Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Associate Director (Research Leadership) of Nursing and Midwifery at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
- Melissa Culligan, PhD, RN (USA) – Associate Professor, LaSalle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Renae Grundy, PhD, RN (Australia) – Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant Royal Hobart Hospital
- Malene Missel, RN, MScN, PhD (EU) – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Copenhagen
- Mai Schønau, RN, PhD (EU) – Post-Doctoral Qualitative Researcher, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Copenhagen
- Anne Fraser, PhD, RN (NZ) – Oncology Nurse Practitioner & Research Fellow Thoracic Oncology, Te Puriri O Te Ora/ Cancer and Blood Department, Auckland
- Pi-Hua Chang, PhD, RN (Taiwan)
Led superbly by the IRSC Chair, Melissa Culligan, PhD, RN – Associate Professor, LaSalle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Melissa Culligan (USA)
Chair of ITONF Research Subcommittee
Melissa Culligan is an Associate Professor of Nursing at LaSalle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences and an Adjunct Associate Professor, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University. She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Her doctoral research was a phenomenological mixed methods study focused on the experience of dyspnea and quality of life for patients undergoing lung-sparing surgery for pleural mesothelioma. She has four decades of experience working in the field of thoracic surgery with a special focus and expertise in caring for patients with pleural mesothelioma and advanced stage lung cancer.
Plans for the Research Subcommittee, 2026-2029
Over the 2026–2029 term, the ITONF Research Subcommittee will focus on advancing nurse-led scholarship and strengthening global research capacity in thoracic oncology through three strategic priorities. First, we will lead the development, launch, and long-term sustainability of the ITONF Global Qualitative Research Collaborative (GQRC), an international initiative designed to provide education, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities for thoracic oncology nurses engaged in qualitative research. Guided by the GLOBAL framework, this collaborative will create a structured platform for monthly scholarly engagement, capacity building, and the development of innovative nurse-led research projects that reflect diverse cultural and healthcare contexts worldwide. Second, the subcommittee will lead the development of an international position paper on the essential role of qualitative research in thoracic oncology, highlighting its critical contribution to understanding patient and caregiver experiences, informing person-centered care, and advancing evidence-based nursing practice globally. Third, we will actively support the ITONF Education Committee by contributing scientific and research-focused content to ITONF educational initiatives, including webinars, workshops, and other professional development activities that promote research literacy and scholarly excellence among members.
We are deeply honored and excited to bring together this extraordinary international community of thoracic oncology nurse researchers who are committed to sharing their expertise, mentorship, and lived experience with the ITONF membership. Through nurse-led research, we have a unique opportunity to transform care, optimize quality of life, and improve treatment outcomes for patients living with thoracic malignancies around the world.
Global Qualitative Research Collaborative (GQRC)
What is the ITONF Global Qualitative Research Collaborative (GQRC)?
Nurse-led research plays a critical role in advancing the care, symptom management, and overall well-being of patients with thoracic malignancies, including lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and other thoracic tumors. Qualitative research provides unique insights into patient and caregiver experiences, clinical decision-making, cultural influences, and health system challenges that cannot be fully captured through quantitative methods alone. Despite its importance, many oncology nurses worldwide have limited access to structured mentorship, education, and collaborative opportunities in qualitative research. Differences in geographic location, institutional resources, and research training can create barriers to engagement and productivity. Establishing a Global Qualitative Research Collaborative within ITONF offers an opportunity to address these gaps by fostering international collaboration, shared learning, and the development of nurse-led qualitative research in thoracic oncology. As an international organization, ITONF is uniquely positioned to convene a global community of nurses to share expertise, foster collaboration, and advance qualitative inquiry in thoracic oncology.
