Sign In
Join
APIC Award & Scholarships
Graduate Student Research Award

Graduate Student Research Award

The APIC Graduate Student Research Award supports research and quality improvement efforts that advance infection prevention and evidence-based implementation science.
bg bg-mob
Julie Yang, MPH

Julie Yang, MPH

2025 Recipient

Julie Yang is a recent Master of Public Health graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a concentration in Health Care Management. Her capstone project, Is There a Seasonal Pattern of Surgical Site Infections at a Large Community Hospital?, examined potential seasonal trends in SSIs and identified contributing procedural and patient-related factors. While her preliminary findings showed no significant seasonal pattern, they highlighted opportunities to focus on procedural and patient variables for infection prevention. Julie plans to continue exploring operating room environmental factors to expand her analysis. She currently serves as an Infection Control Intern at Luminis Health. Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts and baking.

 

About

The APIC Graduate Student Research Award supports research and quality improvement efforts that advance infection prevention and evidence-based implementation science. The award is presented to a student pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.

The most competitive applications will demonstrate the value and implications for infection prevention and quality efforts across clinical disciplines and care settings. Selection criteria will also include alignment with the 2024 APIC Research Agenda, under the Research tab on apic.org.

Application Process

The 2026 application cycle is now closed.

  • Letters of support from academic advisors and capstone preceptors (if applicable) are required. Templates can be found here:
  • Three finalists will be selected to present their project proposals during the APIC’s 2026 Annual Conference
  • Final selection will include a combination of audience and Research Advisory Panel votes
  • The awarded project will be announced following the Annual Conference each year.

Finalists will receive:

  • Travel reimbursement (restrictions apply)
  • Complimentary attendance to the APIC Annual Conference
  • Mentorship from APIC’s Research Advisory Panel
Awarded Recipient Receives
  • The award provides a total of $5,000 for project costs.
  • The recipient of the APIC Graduate Student Research Award will present their findings during the following APIC Annual Conference and/or prepare a manuscript for submission to the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC).

For questions, contact crpi@apic.org.

Previous Recipients

2024: Award Paused

2023: Award Paused

2022: Janina-Marie Tatar, “Examining Healthcare Worker Hand Hygiene Compliance Influences in an Acute Psychiatric Hospital”

2021: Award paused due to pandemic.

2020: Linda McKinley, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, “Evaluation of the Impact of Infection Prevention and Control Programs and Practices on Healthcare-Associated Infections within the Veterans Health Administration in Acute Care Facilities: A Mixed Methods Study”

2019: Darlene Carey, DNP, RN, CIC, FAPIC, “The Impact of Discontinuing Contact Precautions for Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)”

2018: Tara Millson, MSN, RN, CIC, “Implementation of the AHRQ ESRD Safety Program in an Outpatient Hemodialysis Center”

2017: Mary Jo Knobloch, MPH, PhD, “Leadership Rounds to Reduce Healthcare-associated Infections: A Case Study Approach, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, Social and Administrative Sciences Divsion.”

2016: Deb Patterson Burdsall, PhD, RN-BC, CIC, FAPIC, “Exploring Inappropriate Glove Use in Long-Term Care, University of Iowa, School of Nursing.”

 

Become a Sponsor

The APIC Graduate Student Research Award supports research that advances infection prevention and evidence-based implementation science.The award is given each year to one student seeking to complete a master’s or doctoral degree.

As a sponsor of this scholarship your organization will be supporting the 2026 and 2027 graduate student researchers who create new knowledge about how best to design, implement, and evaluate quality improvement initiatives.

As a sponsor, your organization will receive:

  • Recognition on the APIC website
  • Recognition at Annual Conferences
  • One dedicated Thank You email send to our more than 15,000 members
  • Recognition in eNews, Education Now, and social media
  • Recognition in Award Letter to each recipient
  • Opportunity to meet the six award finalists (three per year)
  • Opportunity to share brief remarks at the Research Summit

To learn more about how you can become a sponsor of the APIC Graduate Student Research Award, click here. For additional questions, contact Sponsorships@apic.org.