Biography
Sharon L. Ruyak, PhD, RN, CNM, is an assistant professor at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing. She has practiced as a registered nurse and certified nurse-midwife in a variety of maternal-child health settings. Dr. Ruyak’s research focuses on the biobehavioral mechanisms of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes, especially in disadvantaged populations including mothers and infants affected by substance use disorders. Current funded research projects examine the intersection of maternal diverse forms of early life psychobiological stress and trauma across the lifespan and prenatal substance use as it relates to placenta function and neurobehavioral development of the fetus and infant.
Ruyak received her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree from the University of Colorado, Denver; her Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Towson University in Towson, Md.
Areas of Specialty
Behavioral Health | Biobehavioral Health | Maternal and Child Health | Midwifery/ OBGYN | Obesity/Weight Management | PTSD | Psych-Mental Health | Substance Abuse
Education
PhD, University of Colorado, 2014 (Nursing)
Certificate, University of Colorado, 2006 (Family Nurse Practitioner)
MS, Georgetown University, 1997 (Nurse-Midwifery)
BS, Towson University, 1987 (Nursing)
Certifications
RN: Registered Nurse
CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
Achievements & Awards
Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society Member
Rosenblum-Weiss Endowment for Women’s and Children’s Health - 2021
AWHONN Outstanding Research Study Poster Award - 2020
Invited member Editorial Advisory Board Biological Research in Nursing - 2019-2024
Invited member Editorial Advisory Board JOGNN - 2018-2020
National Institute of Nursing Research, Intramural Research Training Award Summer Genetic Institute Fellow - 2015
Key Publications
Journal Article
Ruyak, Sharon, Lowe, Nancy, K. Corwin, Elizabeth, J. Neu, Madalynn, Boursaw, Blake, 2016 Prepregnancy Obesity and a Biobehavioral Predictive Model for Postpartum Depression Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, vol. 45, Issue 3, 326-338 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2015.12.013
Journal Article
Ruyak, Sharon, Flores-Montoya, Angelina, Boursaw, Blake, 2017 Antepartum Services and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression in At-Risk Women. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN, vol. 46, Issue 5, 696-708 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2017.07.006
Journal Article
Ruyak, Sharon, Qeadan, Fares, 2018 Use of the Antenatal Risk Questionnaire to assess psychosocial risk factors associated with postpartum depression: a pilot study Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, vol. 63, Issue 5, 578-583 https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12873
Gender
Female
Courses Taught
Graduate
N601: Theory 1: Methods and Processes of Nursing Knowledge Development
N602: Theory 2: Contemporary Substantive Nursing Knowledge
N613: Mixed Methods Research
N691: Independent Study in Applied Methods in Secondary Data Analysis
N501: Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing
Undergraduate
N405: Genetic Literacy Across the Lifespan
N454: Nursing Synthesis
N429: Special Populations in Obstetrics
N401: Maternal Newborn Clinical Intensive
N351: Health and Illness I
N340: Advancement of Professional Nursing
N 332: Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice