Our Team
Senior Research Manager
Matthew VanOrmer, PhD
Dr. VanOrmer completed his PhD in Patient-Oriented Research at UNMC under the mentorship of Dr. Anderson Berry and has research interests in maternal-fetal health, nutrition, mobile health applications, and public policies’ effects on community health outcomes. He has been with UNMC for 9 years, implementing and conducting numerous clinical research studies focused on nutrition’s impact on maternal-fetal health outcomes. Dr. VanOrmer holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a concentration in Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management. In his free time, Dr. VanOrmer enjoys woodworking in his garage woodshop, 3D printing, working on a variety of home improvement projects, and travelling with his wife Kaitlin.
Clinical Research Operations Specialist
Brook Thurman, BS, RDCS, RVT
Brook Thurman holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions and is the Clinical Research Operations Specialist for the Pediatric Research Office. Prior to joining the PRO, she led a Research Bioimaging Core in Colorado, where she managed imaging workflows and supported high-quality research data. With a strong background in research operations and a commitment to data integrity, Brook excels at optimizing processes and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys spending time with her partner and young child, gardening, and finding moments to relax and recharge.
Lead Nurse Study Coordinators
Kym Abraham, BSN, RN
Kym graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has over 14 years of research experience which includes dermatology, rheumatology, infectious diseases and gastroenterology research. Prior to joining the Pediatric Research Office in 2010, she was a clinic coordinator for six clinics at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. She has two daughters and in her leisure time enjoys doing any activities you can do outside, especially kayaking and paddleboarding.
Angie Boettner, BSN, RN, MBA, CCRC
Angie has been a research nurse coordinator within the Children's Hematology-Oncology Department since 2009. She graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a BSN from Creighton University in 2004. Angie has 13 years of pediatric experience and has worked as a research coordinator in both pediatrics and adult oncology. Personal interests include traveling with friends, triathlon, running, all things outdoorsy and petting every single dog encountered.
Lead Study Coordinators
Denise Hoover, BS
Denise graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She received her degree in comprehensive biology with a business option. She has been with UNMC since 1999, working in a human molecular genetics laboratory. She has been in the Pediatric Research Office at UNMC as a clinical study coordinator since 2015. Her professional interests include genetics and rare diseases.
Sara Jones, RD, LMNT
Sara is a lead clinical study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well. She began her career in clinical research at a private practice OB/GYN office in 2009, before joining the Pediatric Research Office in 2014. Her primary clinical research focus is on rare metabolic diseases. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, running, hiking, working on DIY projects, and spending time with her husband and three children.
Research Nurse Coordinators
Carolyn Chamberlain, MPH, BSN, RN
Carolyn received her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Creighton University, and her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Prior to joining the Pediatric Research Office in 2010, Carolyn was a Nurse Coordinator & Genetic Research Associate in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Creighton University (1996-1999), a Cancer Risk Counselor & Research Trials Coordinator in the Breast Cancer Prevention Center at University of Kansas Medical Center (1999-2006), and Nurse Manager, Clinical Studies in the Oncology/Hematology department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (2006-2010).
AJ Froemming, BSN, RN
AJ graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNMC College of Nursing in 2022. During her degrees and after graduation, she worked with adult post-surgical cancer patients on the Progressive Care Unit at The Buffett Cancer Center. With 8 years in various roles within the hospital setting, AJ has experience as an administrative assistant, care technician, registered nurse and charge nurse. She joined the Pediatric Research Office in March 2024. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her dog, husband and family, reading, watching reality tv or documentaries, going to concerts and being outdoors.
Morgan Loeffelbein, RN, BSN
Morgan Loeffelbein is a Research Nurse Coordinator/Educator with the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated from Clarkson College with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and has spent most of her career in pediatrics with experience in urgent care, flex team, and in the Pre/Post Op/PACU departments. In her free time, Morgan likes to read, travel, bake, and spend time outside with her family and black lab.
Megan McChesney, BSN
Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Creighton University in 2016 and is a Certified Pediatric Nurse. She has worked primarily in pediatrics, having worked in various pediatric emergency departments, including Children's Nebraska and Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Oregon. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or camping, eating ice cream, and traveling to visit friends.
Betty Oberle, BSN, RN
Betty is a research nurse coordinator with the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated from Graceland University in 1997, with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology human services. She then earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Graceland University in 1998. She has spent the past 20 years as a NICU and pediatric nurse coordinating care for this fragile population before joining the research team in 2019. Outside of work, Betty has a very active family that participates in football, wrestling, track, swimming, marching and symphonic band, jazz band, show band, vocal music, and dance.
Hillary Stevenson, MSN, BSN, RN
Hillary has been a research nurse coordinator within the UNMC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department for 4 years. She graduated from Morningside College in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and continued her education at UNMC where she earned her master’s degree in nursing in 2015. She also obtained her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certificate and Pediatric Mental Health Specialist certificate after graduating from UNMC. She has 14 years of nursing experience in adult and pediatric oncology between Nebraska Medicine and UNMC as well as 2 years as a Pediatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Outside of work she is on the local school board, Sunday school leader, enjoys helping her dad with farming, and spending time with her family and friends.
Clinical Research Associate
Brooke Bluhm
Brooke is a Clinical Research Associate in the Pediatric Research Office. In 2024, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with dual minors in Chemistry and History from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While working on her degree, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at several hospitals around the Omaha Metro. Additionally, she has written a botanical research paper that dives into the effects different brands of distilled water have had on the root growth of Chlorophytum comosum. Outside the office, Brooke enjoys reading, baking, gardening, crocheting, and playing video games with her partner.
Emilee Kendall, BS
Emilee is a Clinical Research Associate in the Pediatric Research Office. Originally from Springfield, MO, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University in 2020. She has worked in research for over 3 years and plans on pursuing her doctorate in Developmental Psychology to continue her research career. Outside of work, Emilee is passionate about music, and spends much of her time singing to her cats or swing dancing with friends.
Clinical Study Coordinators
Samantha Beisel, CMA
Samantha is clinical study coordinator remote out of Kearney. She obtained her associate's degree in medical assisting in 2020 and is currently going back to school to get her RN/BSN through University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has been in clinical research since 2022, starting her journey with Velocity Clinical Research. Samantha is a wife and mom of two children, 8 and 3, and spends her free time taking her children to extracurricular activities, reading and working PRN at the urgent care in Grand Island.
Sharissa Bohlken, BS, CTBS
Sharissa is a data coordinator within Children’s Hematology/Oncology department. She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology through their honor college. Prior to joining the Pediatric Research Office, Sharissa worked for five years at Nebraska Organ Recovery as an Advanced Procurement Coordinator. Her experience there led to her becoming a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist through AATB, the American Association of Tissue Banks. Sharissa enjoys spending free time with her husband and their two dogs. She also likes to travel, visit with family and friends, attend concerts, and do escape rooms.
Laura Ellenberger, MPH, CHES ®
Laura joined the Pediatric Research Office as a Clinical Study Coordinator in 2024. She received both her Bachelors in Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish in 2019 and her Master of Public Health in 2021 from the University of Missouri. Prior to joining CHRI, she worked at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services coordinating and implementing HIV and STI testing programs with county health departments and community-based organizations. Additionally, she worked as the Director of Prevention and Outreach for a non-profit clinic in Missouri that focused on treating those living with HIV. Her research interests are public health interventions, HIV, STI’s, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, crocheting, cycling, and spending time with her partner and 20-lb cat.
Kelly Erickson, MPH
Kelly is a clinical study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology and French from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and has had experience in both clinical and public health settings. Since joining the PRO in August 2016, Kelly has coordinated studies in cardiology, PTLD, cerebral palsy, infectious disease, respiratory ailments and opioid withdrawal in NICU babies. When she is out of the office, she likes to travel, read, exercise and spend time with family and friends.
Jill Fahner, BS, CCRC
Jill graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science. She has been with Pulmonology and the Cystic Fibrosis team as a Clinical Study Coordinator since 2016. Her previous areas of research include psychiatry, oncology, allergy and asthma, and bone metabolism. In her free time, she enjoys sporting events, running, CrossFit, re-purposing furniture, and the beach.
Laura Fischer, MPH
Laura is a clinical study coordinator with the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated from Northwestern College with an undergraduate degree in biology with an emphasis on health professions in 2009 and later completed her MPH in global epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health through the University of Colorado Denver in 2016. Prior to joining the Pediatric Research Office in December 2019, Laura spent the prior eight and a half years working on national and international surveillance studies pertaining to drug misuse and abuse, primarily regarding prescription opioids and prescription stimulants. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and cheering on her Denver Broncos.
Jenny Goetzinger, BS, CCRC, CCM
Jenny graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science degree in family science. She has over 8 years of research experience which includes cardiology and rare metabolic and infectious diseases. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and attending outdoor concerts and Husker football games.
Kayla Lopez
Kayla joined the Pediatric Research Office as a Clinical Study Coordinator in 2025. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry and Spanish in 2020 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2021 from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Prior to joining the CHRI, Kayla worked as a Developmental Therapist for a New Mexico Family, Infant, and Toddler Early Intervention program. Her research interests include emergency medicine, rehabilitation science, sports medicine, infectious diseases, public health and health disparities. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, lifting, running and spending time with her partner and their Australian Shepherd.
Kierstin Niemeyer, MS, LAT, ATC
Kierstin joined the Pediatric Research Office as a Clinical Study Coordinator in 2024. She received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master of Science in Biomechanics from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Prior to joining The Child Health Research Institute, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Nebraska Omaha, specializing in human movement science, and as a Clinical Research Assistant at Celerion. Additionally, Kierstin has experience working as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the secondary school setting. Outside of work she enjoys exercising, traveling, teaching dance, and spending with her family, friends, and two dogs.
Sarah O'Neill
Sarah is an Omaha native, who earned her bachelor's degree from Hastings College, while also playing for both the Women's Soccer and Basketball teams. In joining the Pediatric Research Office in October 2022, she brings along 10 years of prior service with UNMC. Her area of expertise is in Clinical Laboratory processing and phlebotomy. Outside of work, Sarah keeps busy with two young children, a St. Bernard puppy, and many hobbies such as running, hiking, playing soccer, reading fiction novels and board game nights.
Jessica Swiniarski, MPH
Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Truman State University in 2014, and her Master of Public Health from Georgia State University in 2019. She has spent the last 8 years working with different research groups within Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Her research experience includes HIV prevention and minority health, HIV vaccines, and Alzheimer’s. She recently relocated back to the Omaha area to be near family. In her free time she enjoys paddleboarding, hiking with her dog Agatha, and tries to travel to a new place at least once a year.
Haleigh Tanaka, BS
Haleigh is a clinical study coordinator with the Pediatric Research Office. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2019 and has been with UNMC for 6 months as a coordinator focusing on infectious disease research. Prior to joining The Child Health Research Institute, she worked as an Emergency Response Coordinator and Disease Surveillance Coordinator. Haleigh’s professional interests include global health, infectious disease, and vaccines. In her free time, Haleigh enjoys baking, painting, and traveling around the world with her husband.
Malayna Unkel, MS
Malayna is a clinical study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She completed both her Master’s (2024) and Bachelor’s (2023) degrees in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. There, she specialized in cancer immunotherapy research, working as a Research Assistant for 3 years. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exercising, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Jane Walker, BS
Sarah joined the Child Health Research Institute in 2024. She graduated from Creighton University with her Bachelors in Biology. With a strong background in neuroscience research, Sarah specializes in clinical studies involving diverse populations, including individuals with Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy. Passionate about advancing knowledge and improving care for pediatric populations, Sarah is committed to facilitating innovative research that makes a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and quality of life.
Grant Writer
Matt Sandbulte, PhD
Matt joined the PRO team in June 2019 as he filled the new position of Grant Writer for CHRI. He earned a PhD from Iowa State University and has 20 years of laboratory research experience, including a track record investigating immunity to influenza viruses. Matt is here to provide strategy and writing and editing support for CHRI investigators in the creation of high-quality grants, manuscripts, and other scientific communications. He is also spearheading a research-focused newsletter for the CHRI community.
