Mariann R. Piano

Dr. Mariann R. Piano is the Nancy and Hilliard Travis Professor of Nursing and Senior Associate Dean for Research at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She leads the Postdoctoral Fellowship program and focuses on cardiovascular consequences of alcohol abuse and heart failure management. Her work is funded by NIH's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR).

Research Interests:
Dr. Piano investigates binge drinking's impact on young adults' cardiovascular health, including blackout risks and hard liquor consumption trends. She also explores heart failure pathophysiology, symptom management, and strategies like diuretic self-adjustment to reduce hospital readmissions. Her recent work bridges alcohol use and pandemic-related mental health challenges in college students.

Professional Contributions:
She serves on multiple American Heart Association and American Academy of Nursing committees, including clinical practice guidelines and diversity initiatives. Awards include the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame (2019), UIC Distinguished Researcher Awards (2017–2019), and Fellowships in both the American Academy of Nursing and American Heart Association.

Educational Background:
Dr. Piano holds a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Illinois and is a Professor Emerita there. She completed a postdoc at Rush University and has been recognized for mentorship, including the University of Illinois Graduate Mentoring Award (2010).