The Wayne State University College of Nursing is pleased to welcome a number of new faculty members beginning this fall. Many of these new faculty members already know our college well, while others are at Wayne State for the first time. As we prepare for the new academic year, these highly skilled clinicians and nurse scientists will make invaluable contributions to our college and community through their teaching, practice and research. Learn a bit more about our new faculty members below, and please join us in giving them a warm welcome (and welcome back) to our college.

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Lisa Blair, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor

A native of Pomeroy, Ohio, Dr. Blair joins our college after serving as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine and College of Nursing. Her research focuses on disparities in child health and development, particularly those related to perinatal exposure to substances with abuse potential such as cannabis, tobacco and opioids. She earned her BSN from Ohio University and PhD in nursing with a graduate minor in quantitative research methods from Ohio State University. As a Wayne State faculty member, she aims to reduce disparities in health and development by improving the cognitive, social and emotional well-being of at-risk children while providing educational excellence to students who are the future of the nursing profession.

Audrey Hua, DNP, FNP-BC
Clinical Instructor

Dr. Hua grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and returns to our faculty after previously serving in a part-time role. A proud Wayne State alum, Dr. Hua earned her DNP and graduate certificate in nursing education from the College of Nursing, as well as her BSN as a member of our CD2 program. She also holds a bachelor of science from the University of Michigan. Her work focuses on the areas of primary care advanced practice, medical-surgical and nephrology nursing. Returning to Wayne State, she is excited about guiding students to become competent, confident and compassionate nursing clinicians, scientists and leaders. She aims to be a valuable contributor toward a strong, collaborative and innovative academic environment at our college and hopes to be a bridge between the state of science in nursing practice and education.

Randon Jenkins, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
Clinical Instructor

Born and raised in Detroit, Dr. Jenkins is no stranger to Wayne State University and the College of Nursing. He earned his BSN and DNP from our college and joins our full-time faculty after serving as an adjunct clinical instructor for the last two years. Dr. Jenkins’ clinical interests are primarily focused on community health. In his new role, he aims to educate students in a non-stressful way that allows for growth, open dialogue and goal achievement. He also hopes to improve his clinical reach by preparing well-trained registered and advanced practice registered nurses.

Lauren Krist, DNP, PMHNP-BC, APRN
Assistant Professor (Clinical)

Dr. Krist is a board certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with specialty experience in emergency psychiatry, forensic nursing, substance abuse and intensive outpatient treatment, and neurocritical care nursing. She earned her BSN with a minor in psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy, her DNP from the Wayne State College of Nursing and a graduate certificate in forensic nursing science from the University of Florida. Dr. Krist has continued to provide care to patients while teaching both undergraduate and graduate nursing courses at Wayne State and the Detroit Medical Center. As she returns to WSU, Dr. Krist aims to advance nursing knowledge and skills by applying the newest and most innovative clinical experiences through preceptorship and mentorship.

Lydia McBurrows, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC
Associate Professor (Clinical)

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dr. McBurrows joins our college from the Eastern Michigan University School of Nursing, where she served as associate professor and director of the school’s DNP program. She earned her BSN and MSN from the University of Michigan School of Nursing and focuses her work in the areas of adolescent health, school-based health, community health and health disparities. At Wayne State, Dr. McBurrows aims to provide a student-centered learning experience that prepares graduates to lead and excel in the nursing profession while improving health outcomes for individuals, groups, populations and systems.

Marvin Solberg, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor

Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, Dr. Solberg returns to the College of Nursing after serving as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois Chicago. He earned his BSN from Hope College and PhD from the Wayne State College of Nursing. Dr. Solberg focuses his research on the impact of adverse childhood and life experiences on mental health and substance use in minority populations, with a current focus on sexual and gender minorities. As an assistant professor at his alma mater, Dr. Solberg aims to develop secondary prevention interventions related to his research foci while preparing the next generation of nurses and nurse scientists to improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

Elisa Torres, PhD, RN
Associate Professor

Dr. Torres comes to Detroit and the College of Nursing from Chicago, Illinois. Her program of research surrounds physical activity, depression, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Dr. Torres earned her BSN from the University of Illinois Chicago, her MSN from Grand Valley State University and PhD from the University of Michigan. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Iowa. As a member of our faculty, Dr. Torres aims to expand the science on physical activity and the brain, mentor junior faculty in building their program of research and introduce nursing students to research.