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Ezra Holston, Ph.D., RN

Associate Professor
Ezra Holston

Summary

Ezra C. Holston, Ph.D., R.N. is an Associate Professor in the tenure track at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno. Dr. Holston received a Ph.D. from the College of Nursing at New York University and completed two post-doctorate fellowships at the University of Iowa (the College of Nursing: clinical genetic; the College of Medicine: clinical research).

The current research area includes (1) investigating the relationship between electrophysiological biomarkers and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as observed in older ethnic minority adults, and (2) examining older ethnic minority adults’ knowledge about AD and the electrophysiology process to assess AD. This research is guided by Dr. Holston’s Theory of the Electrophysiological Phenomenon of AD, a framework to investigate the psychopathology of AD. This research reflects a commitment for the integration of electrophysiological biomarkers in the assessment and treatment of AD—a paradigm shift in the assessment and treatment of persons at risk or with AD.

Professional experience

Ezra C. Holston is currently teaching NURS 737 Population and Health Aggregate Issues (University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä Reno). He has taught across the curricula (from undergraduate nursing students (traditional and non-traditional) to doctoral-level students (PhD candidates)). The courses he has taught include nursing research, biopsychological research in aging, biobehavioral theory, cultural competency, nursing theory, informatics, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics/pharmacology, community nursing, professional roles and issues, physiology of substance dependence,and neuropsychiatry. He has mentored students across the curricula and served on several committees for PhD candidates. He is also a reviewer for several scientific and professional journals as well as a grant reviewer for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and a repository reviewer for the Virginia Henderson Library.

Grants

  • Describing Brain Activity of African-American Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease: Pilot Study. Funding Agency: Mountain West Clinical & Translational Research Infrastructure Network, National Institute of Health, 2021-2023.
  • Investigating the Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic and Restrictions on Older Adults with/without Alzheimer’s disease Residing in a Nursing Home. Funding Agency: Orvis School of Nursing, the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä Reno, 2021-2022.
  • Diet, Obesity Trends, Health, and Cortisol in Appalachian Centenarians. Funding Agency: Center for Health Science Research, 2014-2015.
  • Group Intervention for Abused Women. Funding Agency: Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, 2009-2010.
  • Genes & Alzheimer’s disease Phenotype in African Americans. Funding Agency: Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center, 2004-2006.
  • Antidepressant Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on the Anterior Cingulate in Major Depression with Psychotic Features: A Structural, Electrical, and Positron Emission Tomography Study. Funding Agencies: The University of Iowa Interdisciplinary Research Office Seed Grant and American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education, 2004-2005.
  • Abnormal Electrophysiological Patterns of Dementia in Clinical EEG Data. Funding Agency: The EEG Laboratory, the University of Iowa, 2004-2005.
  • Identifying Limbic System Gene Variants in Alzheimer’s disease. Funding Agency: National Institute of Nursing Research, 2003-2004.
  • The Relationship between the Abnormal Electrophysiological Features and Degeneration in Cognition, Behavior, Daily Functioning, and Global Presentation Manifested by Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Funding Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1999-2003.

Awards

  • Fellow in Keck Futures Initiatives, Genetics. Sponsored by the National Academies and the W. M. Keck Foundation, 2005.
  • National Institutes of Health Fellow in Genetics. Sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research, 2005.
  • Rudin Student Scholastic Award. Sponsored by Rudin Family Endowment, New York University, 2002-2003.
  • Research Assistantship/Fellowship. Sponsored by New York University, 1999-2003.
  • Rackham Merit Fellowship. Sponsored by Rackham Endowment, University of Michigan, 1998-1999.
  • Ethnic/Minority Fellowship. Sponsored by National Institute of Mental Health & Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1998-2003.

Research interests

Dr. Holston is interested in the utility of electrophysiological and biological measures in understanding and treating the psychopathology of psychiatric/mental health conditions experienced by older adults to improve their health care through pre-screening, early diagnosing, andeffective interventions.

research diagram

  • Catastrophic conditions impact on psychiatric symptoms in older adults.
  • Centenarians’ viewpoints on successful aging through nutrition, health status, and resilience.
  • Effectiveness of a music intervention on incarcerated older females with history of intimate partner violence.
  • Characterization of social support systems for older lesbians.
  • Characterization of relationship between genetic markers and psychosocial behaviors in older adults.
  • Utilization of determinants of healthy aging to address psychiatric/mental health conditions prevalent in older adults.

Selected Professional affiliations

  • American Nurses Association
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
  • Massachusetts Nurses Association
  • Western Institute of Nursing

Selected publications

  • Holston, E. C. (in press). A commentary: Invisibility of older African-American adults in electrophysiological research on Alzheimer’s disease. Ethnicity & Disease.
  • Holston, E. C. (2024). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 45(7), 1-12.
  • Holston, E. C., Watts, T., & Yimmee, S. (2024). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 45(9), 970-978.
  • Watts, T., Holston, E. C., Yimmee, S. (2023). Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(12), 41-49.
  • Holston, E. C., & Taylor, J. Y. (2021). International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 7(2), 1-7.
  • Holston, E. C., & Callen, B. (2019). Understanding resilience from the perspectives of Appalachian centenarians. Ageing & Society, 2019, 1-21.
  • Holston, E. C., & Callen, B. (2017).The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 85(3), 289-304.
  • Taylor, J. Y. & Holston, E. C. (2016). Nursing Research and Practice, 2016, 1-8.
  • Holston, E. C. & Callen, B. (2016). Journal of Aging: Research & Clinical Practice, 4, 1-3.
  • Holston, E. C. (2015). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 36(8), 603-613.
  • Holston, E. C. (2014). Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 28(6), 413-419.
  • Taylor, J. Y. & Holston, E. C. (2014). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 35(5), 344-355. 
  • Gabrielson, M., Holston, E. C., & Dyck, M. (2014). Journal of Homosexuality, 61(11), 1589-604.
  • Gabrielson, M. & Holston, E. C. (2014). Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 57(2-4), 198-217.
  • Holston, E. C. (2008). Journal of National Black Nurses Association, 19(2), 1-11.
  • Schutte, D. L. & Holston, E. C. (2006). Journal of Nursing Scholarship 38(4). 328-334.
  • Holston, E. C. (2005). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 26(10), 1103-1127.
  • Holston, E. C. & Schutte, D. L. (2004). MedSurg Nursing, Journal of Adult Health, 13(6), 415-419.
  • Holston, E. C. (2003). ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Education

  • Post-Doctorate, 2005 Clinical Genetics & Clinical Research, The University of Iowa Colleges of Medicine & College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA
  • Post-Graduate, 2005 Molecular Genetics, National Institutes of Health & Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  • PhD, 2003 Theory Development in Nursing Science, New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY