Laura Pittiglio

Dr. Laura Pittiglio serves as an Associate Professor at Oakland University's School of Nursing, where she has been a faculty member since 1999. Her office is located in Human Health Building, Room 3039, and she can be reached at pittigli@oakland.edu. As a certified HIV Test Counselor, she implemented a campus-wide free HIV and syphilis screening program.

Education

• PhD in Nursing, Wayne State University
• MSN in Adult Primary Care, Wayne State University
• BSN, Wayne State University

Research Focus

Dr. Pittiglio's work centers on HIV/AIDS disparities among African American women, examining coping mechanisms of HIV-positive mothers and sexual risk behaviors in adolescent/young adult females. Her research integrates behavioral psychology concepts like learned helplessness with public health interventions. Concurrently, she pioneers simulation-based nursing education through the VI-MED 3D virtual hospital system, investigating how technology enhances clinical competency and medication safety.

Publication Trends

Her 15-year publication trajectory reveals dual research streams: HIV/AIDS health disparities (60% of work) focusing on African American women's vulnerability, and simulation-based education (40%) targeting nursing student outcomes. Recent publications emphasize learned helplessness frameworks in sexual risk behaviors, while earlier work established her simulation methodology. Both strands address systemic healthcare inequities through behavioral and educational lenses, with consistent NIH/NLN-aligned methodology.

Scientific Awards

No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials.

Grants and Mentoring

• Co-investigator on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan grant: "Reducing HIV/AIDS in Michigan African American Young Adult Women"
• Developed campus HIV/syphilis screening program through community partnerships
• Mentored students through simulation research projects and HIV prevention initiatives

Research Infrastructure

Co-developed the VI-MED (Virtual Hospital Environment for Medication Education and Delivery) simulation platform with interdisciplinary teams including Fatma Mili (Computer Science) and Mary Harris (Nursing). This 3D virtual hospital system enables high-fidelity medication administration training and has been presented at national conferences including IMSH and NLN Technology Summits.