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Faculty spotlight: Alexis Curran and Dr. Lori Taula

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At Missouri State University, Alexis Curran and Dr. Lori Taula are dedicated to educating future nurses.

Curran is a visiting clinical instructor and Taula is a visiting clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing. Let’s find out more about them.

Alexis Curran

Where are you originally from?

Curran: I grew up in Waynesville, Missouri. I moved to the Springfield area for college in 2012.

Taula: I’m from Kansas City, Missouri, but I lived in Arizona for many years.

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here?

Curran: I went through the nursing program at Missouri State in 2016 and decided my long-term career goal was to be a nurse educator. I knew from personal experience that the program and faculty were great, so I decided to come back to Missouri State to work. I started as an adjunct faculty in spring 2022, worked as the Simulation Center coordinator during the 2022-23 school year and have taught in the School of Nursing since fall 2023.

Taula: I’ve been here one and a half years. I love teaching and finding creative ways to help students learn and grow.

What’s your educational background?

Lori Taula

Curran: I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Missouri State (go Bears!) in 2016 and my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis in nursing education from Arkansas State University in 2024.

Taula: I got my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) and both my MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and BSN from the Research College of Nursing. I also have a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University.

Why did you choose to pursue a nursing profession?

Curran: It’s an interesting story. I started out as an elementary education major when I first came to college. I worked at a bank in my hometown on holidays and we had a customer whose child was undergoing cancer treatment. One of the other tellers had lost a child to cancer and she would often talk with the customer whose child was in treatment about how great the nurses were and how much of an impact they had made during a very difficult time in their lives. I had a realization that I wanted to have that same kind of impact on people’s lives, so I decided to become a nurse. I thought I wanted to do pediatric oncology at first, but I fell in love with labor and delivery during my obstetrics class in nursing school.

Taula: My passion is working with underserved populations. I want to be a resource to patients and a provider who makes patients feel heard and seen. I want to help patients focus on progress not perfection and understand how their health connects to quality of life.

Where did you work prior to Missouri State?

Curran: I was a labor and delivery nurse at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. I worked there full time for almost six years and still pick up an occasional shift during holidays and summers off.

Taula: I’ve worked at Minute Clinic, Kansas City Hospitalist, Heritage Group PCP, Research Hospital, Advanced Wound Care and Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital.

What do you do in your role at the university?

Curran: I primarily teach NUR 322: The Childbearing Family. I prepare and teach lectures, create and grade assignments, prepare and run simulated patient experiences, and oversee clinical experiences for students. I also help with creating and running simulations for the School of Nursing.

Taula: I’m a professor in the FNP program: Episodic-acute care, applied pathophysiology and advanced health assessment. I also guest lecture as needed as well and do clinic site visits for FNP students. I’m a chair to several DNP students and I belong to the graduate committee.

How do you incorporate real-world clinical experience into your teaching?

Curran: I try my best to stay up to date on current practices in the obstetric nursing world by being a member of professional nursing organizations and keeping up with my certifications in inpatient obstetric nursing and electronic fetal monitoring. I also really enjoy being able to incorporate my personal experiences as a labor and delivery nurse into my lectures and tie them into the content I’m teaching.

Taula: I like to give students real life experiences. I walk them through how they would handle those situations, which often involves using a simulation lab with patients (actors). I also like them to use the knowledge they already have and think about how they can apply that in real life. Additionally, I add cadaver labs and skills labs to classes.

What do you enjoy most about working at Missouri State?

Curran: I have amazing co-workers and get to work with some great students! They really are the best of the best!

Taula: The students and faculty are my favorite things. The faculty care so much about students and we all work as a team to help students succeed. I love seeing the students so dedicated to their education and overcoming challenges.

What do you do for fun or leisure?

Curran: I like spending time with friends and snuggling with my cat, Miss Kitty. When it’s nice out, I love hiking, swimming, camping and fishing. I also like to read and binge watch TV. I can play a little guitar and like to sing, as well. I’m on a bowling league, too, but I’m not that good at it. It’s just for fun and to spend time with friends.

Taula: I enjoy plants, gardening (food), hiking and travel (nature anything). I also keep up on house projects.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Curran: Warm temperatures and sunshine! I love when it gets warm enough to go to the pool, lake or river. Summer is my favorite season.

Taula: I’m looking forward to hopefully visiting national and state parks.

Learn more about the School of Nursing

Optimizing the health of female athletes

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For athletes, staying healthy is crucial to remain competitive.  

Many female athletes, however, face an increased risk of stress fractures due to a combination of physiological, hormonal and nutritional factors. This can lead to missed time from competition. 

To address this issue, an interdisciplinary research team from Missouri State University and North Central College conducted a study assessing the effectiveness of early identification and intervention strategies. By using early screening for energy deficiencies, the goal was to reduce stress fractures and the time lost from sports among collegiate female athletes. 

Missouri State has 15 female teams and 269 female athletes, making this research especially relevant to the university’s athletics program.

Natalie Allen headshot.
Natalie Allen

“Our beginning is a fun story. Back in 2017, at a Missouri State athletics holiday party, we found ourselves in a conversation that took an unexpected turn. As health care providers, we got to talking — what if we teamed up to support student-athletes in a whole new way? One idea led to another and our research team was born,” said registered dietitian Natalie Allen, clinical associate professor of nutrition and dietetics in the School of Health Sciences.  

“One common concern that emerged from our discussion was stress fractures in female collegiate athletes and the Female Athlete Triad.” 

A condition that affects female athletes, the Female Athlete Triad involves three main issues: low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction and low bone density.

The study began in 2018 but faced delays due to COVID-19. The team persisted and published the research findings in the Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice this January. The paper is titled “Strategies for Optimizing Female Athlete Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mitigate Stress Fractures and Minimize Missed Participation in Collegiate Sports.” 

Besides Allen, who also serves as team dietitian for Missouri State athletes, the research team comprised:

Combining their expertise, the researchers identified health gaps in female athletes and developed evidence-based interventions for improved outcomes. 

Research specifics and findings

Shannon Hauschildt
Shannon Hauschildt

The study involved 234 female athletes across nine Missouri State teams. To identify those who were at risk for low energy availability and related conditions, they underwent pre-season physicals. The physicals included screening using a tool called the Female Athlete Triad Cumulative Risk Assessment (FACTRA). 

Athletes with a FACTRA score greater than one received nutrition education and consultation from the team dietitian. Athletes were also referred to doctors, athletic trainers and psychologists as needed. 

Before implementing the screening, Missouri State recorded 18 stress fractures among female athletes. This resulted in 848 missed participation days. After early detection and intervention, stress fractures fell to one and missed participation days dropped to 50 — a 95% and 94.6% reduction, respectively.  

The athletes also showed marked improvement in their knowledge and understanding of nutrition risks. 

“This research showed how screening and intervention can keep athletes competing instead of recovering,” Hauschildt said. 

Patel added, “Success comes from a strong multidisciplinary team approach, where coaches and health care providers also work together to support athletes.”  

Power of prevention

Dr. Melissa Penkalski
Dr. Melissa Penkalski

One key aspect of the study was the role of nutrition education. At-risk female athletes received targeted dietary guidance, helping them optimize their energy availability and overall health.  

“FACTRA screening is now a standard for pre-participation physicals at Missouri State, setting a model for female athlete health nationwide,” Allen said. 

As a pediatric nurse practitioner, Penkalski notes she sees firsthand how early intervention shapes long-term health.  

“This research empowers athletes to take charge of their well-being, both on and off the field.” 

But there is more to explore.  

The next steps include refining screening tools and investigating new areas, such as iron deficiency in endurance athletes and the impact of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports on both men and women. 

Read the published article

Faculty spotlight: Yvonne Callahan and Dr. Caitlin Masterson

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Our featured McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) faculty members are Yvonne Callahan, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing, and Dr. Caitlin Masterson, assistant professor in the School of Health Care Professions. 

Both bring a wealth of experience and a passion for education, shaping the next generation of health care professionals. Let’s get to know them better. 

Where are you originally from? 

Callahan: I grew up in a small town south of Santa Fe and east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Masterson: I was born in Mississippi but grew up right here in Springfield, Missouri. 

Yvonne Callahan
Yvonne Callahan

What brought you to Missouri State University and how long have you been here? 

Callahan: After relocating to Missouri in 2013, I set a goal to earn a master’s in nursing and become a nurse educator. I joined MSU as an adjunct clinical instructor in spring 2021, transitioned to a full-time role in fall 2023 and became a course instructor in fall 2024.  

Masterson: My husband and I both have family here and wanted to be close by. I also was drawn to the unique opportunities for collaboration and teaching at MSU. I’ve been here since 2021. 

Where did you work prior to Missouri State? 

Callahan: I began my nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, working on a Medical-Surgical floor before moving to the Intensive Care Unit. Oncology became my primary focus, particularly in the Specialty Infusion Unit, where I administered immune therapies and targeted biologics. 

Masterson: After earning my PhD, I worked at Radford University in Virginia before moving to the University of Central Arkansas. When I moved back to Springfield, I became a biostatistician for a medical research company, a role I continue to hold while also working at MSU.

Can you share your academic journey? 

Callahan: I earned my undergraduate degree in English Literature and taught English as a Second Language in Bucharest, Romania. However, eventually I felt passionate about nursing education. Then, I completed my Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from Denver College of Nursing and Southwest Baptist University. I’m currently working on my Doctor of Nursing Practice at Missouri State. 

Masterson: I pursued my athletic dreams on a track scholarship at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. My junior year, I switched from pre-med to psychology in the halfway considering better work life balance. I earned my Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from Missouri State then my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience with a specialization in quantitative studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  

What inspired you to pursue a career in health care and higher education? 

Callahan: I’ve always loved science and learning about the human body. My aunt and great-aunt are both nurses and hearing their inspiring stories sparked my passion for health care and teaching. 

Masterson: I started pre-med but found my passion in neuroscience, research and statistics. Working in higher education is the cherry on top as I get to share that passion and show students that statistics isn’t so scary after all! 

Are there any trends or advancements in nursing or health care that you find particularly exciting?

Dr. Caitlin Masterson
Dr. Caitlin Masterson

Callahan I’m excited about the growing field of cardio-oncology, which addresses the cardiac effects of cancer treatments. As a member of the International Cardio-Oncology Society’s nursing advocacy group, I work to advance education and implement updated guidelines to improve nursing practices in this area. 

Masterson: I’m excited about AI’s growing impact on health care, revolutionizing research and data analysis. It uncovers patterns traditional methods might miss, which helps to make decision-making more precise and efficient. The intersection of real-time data, advanced statistics and technology holds incredible potential to improve population health. 

What do you enjoy most about your job and working at Missouri State?

Callahan: I’m an educator at heart. I love sharing about the nursing profession and all the different ways a nurse can make a difference in the community.

Masterson: I love the variety my job offers, from teaching research and statistics to collaborating with faculty and students through RStats consults. Exploring research beyond my field keeps my courses dynamic and I genuinely enjoy designing studies and analyzing data. Having grown up here, working at MSU feels like coming home. 

What’s your teaching philosophy and how do you engage students in the classroom?

Callahan: My teaching philosophy is rooted in leading by example, hands-on learning and creativity to build practical nursing skills. As president of our local Oncology Nurses Society chapter, I encourage students to join professional groups, attend advocacy events and engage in nursing conferences. 

Masterson: My teaching philosophy centers on fostering a collaborative, engaging learning environment. I emphasize real-world applications, clear and structured content and practical examples that make complex concepts accessible. My goal is to spark curiosity and build student confidence beyond the classroom. 

What are your favorite activities to enjoy during the spring season? 

Callahan: I enjoy hiking in local trails and exploring festivals like Artsfest and the Cherry Blossom Kite and Piñata Festival. I also love pizza nights at Millsap Farms, especially their New Mexico-style horno ovens. 

Masterson: I love getting coffee and going on walks with my husband at Sequiota Park while our 3-year-old rides his bike. I also spend a lot of time at Springfield Rugby matches! 

What’s something about you that might surprise people? 

Callahan: I never expected my passion for cardio-oncology to lead me to a national stage. This April, I’ll speak at the Oncology Nurses Society 50th Congress — not in a breakout session, but as a main session speaker! 

Masterson: I learned to kneeboard and waterski before I could ride a bike, thanks to my family’s love for water sports! That passion led me to teach waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard, barefoot and surf lessons in Branson for five years. 

Explore degree options in MCHHS

Celebrating rising stars in health care

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The McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) proudly celebrates students’ achievements.  

A total of 167 students were hooded, pinned and received a white coat within a department or school ceremony for the fall 2024 semester. 

“These culminating ceremonies provide opportunities for faculty and staff to celebrate the academic milestones of students,” said Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean.  

Students who have been hooded or pinned are on track to graduate this fall, while those who received white coats are ready to advance to their clinical rotations. 

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Twenty-two Master of OT students were hooded. 

Nursing

Forty-five Bachelor of Science in Nursing students were pinned. 

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

Twenty-six SLP students were pinned. 

Physician Assistant Studies (PAS)

Thirty-three PAS students received white coats, while another cohort of 30 students graduated. 

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

Eleven DNAP CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) students celebrated their program completion at a graduation ceremony. 

MCHHS congratulates these emerging health care leaders and is committed to supporting them as they embark on their professional journeys. They play a vital role in strengthening communities and advancing the health care sector. 

 Explore MCHHS programs