Our Team
Senior Research Manager
Brook Thurman, BS, RDCS, RVT
Brook is a senior research manager for the Pediatric Research Office (PRO). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions and, before joining the PRO, led a research bioimaging core in Colorado, managing imaging workflows and supporting 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 work, Brook enjoys spending time with her partner and young child, gardening and finding time to relax and recharge.
Lead Nurse Study Coordinators
Kym Abraham, BSN, RN
Kym is a lead nurse study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Since 2003, she has gained research experience in dermatology, rheumatology, infectious diseases and gastroenterology. She joined the Pediatric Research Office in 2010 and served as clinic coordinator for six clinics at Children's Nebraska. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and participating in outdoor activities, especially kayaking and paddleboarding.
Angie Boettner, BSN, RN, MBA, CCRC
Angie is a lead research nurse coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She has worked with the Children's Nebraska Hematology-Oncology Department since 2009. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University in 2004. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University and an MBA from UNO. Angie has pediatric experience and has worked as a research coordinator in both pediatric and adult oncology. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with friends, competing in triathlons, running, spending time outdoors and meeting every dog she encounters.
Betty Oberle, BSN, RN
Betty is a lead nurse study coordinator with the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Human Services from Graceland University in 1997 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Graceland University in 1998. Before joining the research team in 2019, she spent 20 years as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric nurse, coordinating care for this fragile population. Outside of work, Betty enjoys supporting her active family at football, wrestling, track, swimming, marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, show choir and dance events.
Lead Study Coordinators
Jenny Goetzinger, BS, CCRC, CCM
Jenny is a lead study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She has had research experience in cardiology and rare metabolic and infectious diseases since 2008. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, gardening, and attending outdoor concerts and Husker football games.
Sara Jones, RD, LMNT
Sara is a lead clinical study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and completed her dietetic internship at the university. She began her clinical research career at a private OB-GYN practice in 2009 before joining the Pediatric Research Office in 2014. Her primary research focus is on rare metabolic diseases. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, running, hiking, tackling DIY projects, and spending time with her husband and three children.
Research Nurse Coordinators
Carolyn Chamberlain, MPH, BSN, RN
Carolyn is a research nurse coordinator II in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Before joining the Pediatric Research Office in 2010, she served as a nurse coordinator and genetic research associate in Creighton University's Department of Preventive Medicine from 1996 to 1999, a cancer risk counselor and clinical trials coordinator in the Breast Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center from 1999 to 2006, and nurse manager of clinical studies in the Oncology/Hematology Department at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from 2006 to 2010.
Carrie Krist, RN, BSN, CPN
Carrie is a research nurse coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office. She graduated from Creighton University with a bachelor's degree in nursing and holds a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) designation. Before joining Research, Carrie began her nursing career on an adult telemetry unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She then spent four years in UNMC's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Driven by her passion for pediatric care, Carrie moved to Children's Hospital, where she worked in the Emergency Department before transferring to the Children's Physicians clinic in La Vista. She also works seasonally at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, staffing the First Aid Station. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys outdoor activities, baking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Morgan Loeffelbein, RN, BSN
Morgan Loeffelbein is a research nurse coordinator and educator with the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clarkson College and has spent most of her career in pediatrics, with experience in urgent care, the flex team, and the preoperative, postoperative and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) departments. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys reading, traveling, baking and spending time outdoors with her family and black lab.
Hillary Stevenson, MSN, BSN, RN
Hillary is a research nurse coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office and has extensive experience working with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Division. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Morningside College in 2009 and a master's degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2015. She also earned certifications as a pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric mental health specialist. Hillary has nursing experience in adult and pediatric oncology at Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center since 2009, as well as two years of experience as a pediatric mental health nurse practitioner. Outside of work, she serves on a local school board, leads Sunday school activities, helps with her family's farming operation and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Clinical Research Associate
Brooke Bluhm
Brooke is a clinical research associate II in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in chemistry and history from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2024. While completing her degree, she worked as a certified nursing assistant at several hospitals in the Omaha metropolitan area. She also authored a botanical research paper examining the effects of different brands of distilled water on the root growth of Chlorophytum comosum. Outside of work, Brooke enjoys reading, baking, gardening, crocheting and playing video games with her partner.
Emilee Kendall, BS
Emilee is a clinical research associate I in the Pediatric Research Office. Originally from Springfield, Missouri, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Truman State University in 2020. She has research experience since 2021 and plans to pursue a doctorate in developmental psychology to further her research career. Outside of work, Emilee is passionate about music and enjoys singing to her cats and swing dancing with friends.
Saige Rasmussen
Saige is a clinical research associate I in the Pediatric Research Office. Originally from Utah, she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Utah Valley University in 2023. She has multiple years of research experience and plans to continue her career in research with an emphasis on laboratory processing. Outside of work, Saige enjoys line dancing, solving puzzles, reading and spending time with her two dogs, one cat and husband.
Clinical Study Coordinators
Chika Akwani, BS
Chika is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office (PRO). She joined PRO in 2025 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Before joining the institute, she worked as a clinical research associate, supporting studies focused on improving patient outcomes in preoperative, pain management and critical care settings. She has a growing interest in pediatric outcomes research and health disparities in underserved communities. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, photography and traveling.
Samantha Beisel, CMA
Samantha is a clinical study coordinator in the Pediatric Research Office and works remotely from Kearney. She earned an associate degree in medical assisting in 2020 and is pursuing her RN-to-BSN degree at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She began her clinical research career in 2022 with Velocity Clinical Research. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, taking them to extracurricular activities, reading and working PRN at an urgent care clinic in Grand Island.
Sharissa Bohlken, BS, CTBS
Sharissa is a clinical study coordinator I and data coordinator in the Children's Nebraska Hematology-Oncology Department. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Missouri State University's Honors College. Before joining the Pediatric Research Office, Sharissa worked for five years at Nebraska Organ Recovery as an advanced procurement coordinator. Her experience there led to certification as a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist through the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). Outside of work, Sharissa enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs. She also enjoys traveling, visiting family and friends, attending concerts and participating in escape rooms.
Augusto Diedrich, MS
Augusto is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office. He earned a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Neuroscience from the Creighton University School of Medicine in 2025 and a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University. His research interests include neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience and pediatric brain development. Before joining CHRI, he worked as a graduate research assistant at the Institute for Human Neuroscience at Boys Town National Research Hospital. His experience includes securing grant funding for pediatric ADHD studies and using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to map neural oscillations in children and adolescents. Outside of work, Augusto enjoys playing chess and performing as a violinist with the UNMC Medical Orchestra.
Taylor Divita, BS
Taylor is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office (PRO). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2020. Before joining the PRO, Taylor spent more than four years as a research technologist in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her work contributed to multiple published papers and advances in cancer biology research. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys reading, traveling, crafting, attending concerts with friends and spending time with family.
Kelly Erickson, MPH
Kelly is a clinical study coordinator II in the Pediatric Research Office (PRO). She earned 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. She has experience in both clinical and public health settings. Since joining the PRO in August 2016, Kelly has coordinated studies in cardiology, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), cerebral palsy, infectious diseases, respiratory conditions and neonatal opioid withdrawal in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, exercising and spending time with family and friends.
Jill Fahner, BS, CCRC
Jill is a clinical study coordinator II in the Pediatric Research Office with the Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis teams since 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Iowa State University. Her previous research experience includes psychiatry, oncology, allergy and asthma, and bone metabolism. Outside of work, Jill enjoys attending sporting events, running, participating in CrossFit, repurposing furniture and spending time at the beach.
Laura Golden, MPH
Laura is a clinical study coordinator II in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in health professions from Northwestern College in 2009 and a Master of Public Health in Global Epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Denver in 2016. Before joining the Pediatric Research Office in December 2019, Laura spent more than eight years working on national and international surveillance studies focused on drug misuse and abuse, primarily involving prescription opioids and stimulants. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking and cheering for the Denver Broncos.
Kayla Lopez
Kayla is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office since 2025. She earned bachelor's degrees in biology, chemistry and Spanish from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020 and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2021. Before joining the Child Health Research Institute (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. Outside of work, Kayla enjoys reading, weightlifting, running and spending time with her partner and their Australian shepherd.
Cassie Naoe, BS
Cassie is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office (PRO). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Child, Youth and Family Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Before joining the PRO, Cassie held several research-related roles, including medical research assistant, clinical training specialist and clinical research coordinator. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and reading.
Sarah O'Neill
Sarah is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a bachelor's degree from Hastings College, where she was a member of the women's soccer and basketball teams. Since joining the Pediatric Research Office in October 2022, she has brought 10 years of previous experience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include clinical laboratory processing and phlebotomy. Outside of work, Sarah stays busy with her two young children, a St. Bernard puppy and hobbies that include running, hiking, playing soccer, reading fiction novels and hosting board game nights.
Haleigh Tanaka, BS
Haleigh is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2019 and joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center as a coordinator focused on infectious disease research. Before 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 diseases and vaccines. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, painting and traveling with her husband.
Audrey Wichmann, BSPH
Audrey is a clinical study coordinator I in the Pediatric Research Office since 2026. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Iowa in 2025. While earning her degree, she was a member of the College of Public Health's Department of Epidemiology research team. She is currently pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Outside of work, Audrey enjoys exercising, baking and traveling with her partner.
