Experience & scholarship

Research informed by practice.

Oncology nursing, clinical investigation, teaching, advocacy, and professional development working together to make care safer, more responsive, and more equitable.

Selected experience

From emergency care to oncology research.

A clinical foundation spanning acute care, cancer survivorship, research operations, and nursing education.

August 2023–Present

Clinical Research Nurse

University of Miami
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Supports cancer survivorship and supportive-care research focused on wellness and health-related quality of life across diverse cancer populations. Coordinates EHR-embedded patient-reported outcomes, recruitment and follow-up, provider education, data collection and management, adverse-event monitoring, regulatory activities, and protocol closeout.

Contributes to multidisciplinary studies examining biopsychosocial mechanisms that influence health outcomes, treatment experiences, and survivorship trajectories, while supporting implementation refinement, dissemination, analysis, and scaling of evidence-based survivorship-care models.

May 2025–Present

Teaching Assistant

University of Florida
College of Nursing

Supports Lead and Inspire 4 and Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I. Provides dosage-calculation instruction, HESI/NCLEX-style exam preparation, visual learning resources, biweekly office hours, grading, and individualized student feedback.

2020–2024

Emergency & Acute Care Nursing

Jackson Health System
Baptist Health of South Florida

Progressed from Clinical Partner and Scholar Nurse Partner to Registered Nurse roles in medical-surgical and high-acuity emergency settings, providing triage, stabilization, medication administration, procedures, interdisciplinary coordination, and patient-centered bedside care.

Scholarship

Publications, presentations & manuscripts.

Google Scholar ↗ORCID ↗ResearchGate ↗

Peer-reviewed publication · 2026

Leveraging the OncoPRO Survey to Enhance Adverse Event Management and Advance Practice Impact in Phase 1 Clinical Trials

Otero, C., Riffa, A., Sookdea, V., Natori, A., Merchan, J., & Penedo, F.

Oncology Nursing Forum · DOI: 10.1188/26.ONF.e26535271

Oral presentation · September 2026

Cost-Related Delayed Healthcare, Psychological Distress, and Substance Use Among Midlife and Older LGBTQ+ Adults

Riffa, A., & Barbee, H.

GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ+ Health · Seattle, Washington

Poster presentation · May 2026

Leveraging the OncoPRO Survey to Enhance Adverse Event Management and Advance Practice Impact in Phase 1 Clinical Trials

Otero, C., Riffa, A., Sookdeo, V., Natori, A., Merchan, J., & Penedo, F.

Oncology Nursing Society Congress · San Antonio, Texas

Poster presentation · November 2026

Inclusive Oncology Care: Enhancing Provider Preparedness

Riffa, A., MacIntyre, J., & Bricker, C.

Fall 2026 Gator Nursing Catalyst Scholars Symposium · Gainesville, Florida

Manuscript · In preparation

Inclusive Oncology Care: Enhancing Provider Preparedness

Riffa, A., MacIntyre, J., & Bricker, C.

Manuscript · Under review

Cost-Related Mental Health Care Delays and Marijuana Use Among Midlife and Older Adults: Evidence for Substance-Specific Pathways

Barbee, H., Riffa, A., Tran, N., & McKay, T.

American Journal of Public Health

Abstract · Under review

Disparities in Financial Toxicity by Ethnicity and Language Assessment Among Adults with Hematologic Malignancies

Melara, C., Lawson, Z., Sivak, S., Jones, D., Riffa, A., et al.

Society of Behavioral Medicine

Manuscript · In preparation

Youth Digital and AI Engagement in Daily Life: An EMA Protocol and Feasibility Study

Silvera, C. A., Riffa, A., & Oh, W.

Leadership & service

Health equity beyond the bedside.

Professional leadership and community service rooted in inclusion, access, and practical support.

Professional leadership

2026–PresentProgram Committee Representative, SBSM LGBTQ+ Health SIG
2026–PresentBoard Member, City of Miami LGBTQ+ Advisory Board
2026–PresentMembership & Development Committee Board Member, GLMA
2025–PresentDirector of Health and Wellness, Essential Haus
2025–PresentQuality Improvement Partner, Dade County Street Response
2024–PresentSecretary, University of Florida LGBTQ+ Alumni Association
2024–PresentStudent Chair, UF Nursing Research and Scholarship Committee

Community engagement

2025–PresentVolunteer, IDEA Exchange
2023–2026Volunteer, Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Symposium
2022–PresentVolunteer, Lotus House Women’s Shelter

Professional development

Continuing to build clinical and leadership expertise.

Workshops

Oct 1–3, 2026Technology for Cancer Supportive Care · NIH Sponsored Technology Training
Nov 4–5, 2026Ambulatory Nurse Leader Academy · University of Miami Health Systems

Professional affiliations

2025–PresentAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
2025–PresentAdvanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO)
2025–PresentGLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
2025–PresentSociety for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine (SBSM)
2025–PresentSociety of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)
2024–PresentAmerican Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
2024–PresentUniversity of Florida Alumni Association
2023–PresentOncology Nursing Society

Curriculum vitae

Explore the full record.

View Aaron’s complete education, licensure, awards, experience, scholarship, service, workshops, and professional affiliations.

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