UMass Boston

HIV Prevention in Women, Intervention Research in Black Women Living with HIV, Nursing Workplace Psychological Safety 

PhD, Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan

Link to PubMed

Dr. DeMarco is recognized nationally and internationally for her outstanding interdisciplinary research, scholarship, and community service. She was the recipient of the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) Presidential Award for Service in March 2021 for her extensive work in inclusion and equity in her research and work as President of ENRS from 2016-2018. She was also a member of the National Leadership Council, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS). Her program of research includes the use of community-based participatory research to identify culturally relevant and gender-sensitive prevention interventions for women at risk and living with HIV infection and workplace psychological safety. A key focus of the intervention components in her studies includes the use of narrative communication interventions in the form of testimonial films to influence self-efficacy. Projects include 1) a peer-driven prevention program for underserved Black, Latina, and Vietnamese women, 2) co-production of the film Women’s Voices Women’s Lives© featuring African-American women giving candid messages about HIV/AIDS prevention, (translated in Vietnamese and Spanish), 3) a peer-led intervention program using this film called “Sistah Powah” addressing health care adherence, safe sex behaviors, and self-advocacy prevention outcomes in Black women living with HIV infection, 4) intervention enhancement research in women living with HIV and smoking cessation (WiSE Film-Women in Search of Empowerment); and 5) workplace civility, accountability, and safety interventions and measurement.

Undergraduate, Graduate, and Ph.D. Levels: HIV/AIDS and Mixed Methods Research

American Academy of Nursing (a member of Expert Panel of Emerging and Infectious Diseases)
Sigma Theta Tau International
Phi Kappa Phi
American Nurses Association (ANA) Massachusetts
American Public Health Association (APHA)
Massachusetts Public Health Association
Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)
Council in Advancing Nursing Science (CANS)
Eastern Nursing Research Society
Global Nursing Caucus Advisory Committee: A developing forum to address Global Nursing, Boston University School of Public Health.

April 2015, Anne Kibrick Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership, Sigma Theta Tau International, Theta Alpha Chapter, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA.
2015 Recipient of Excellence in Research, New England Regional Black Nurses Association
Appointed National Grant Reviewer (January 2013 - December 2016): American Cancer Society Atlanta, GA, Cancer Control and Prevention: Psychosocial and Behavioral
Research (CPPB) Review Panel 
Appointed Affiliate Research Fellow, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Theology and Religious Studies, College of Arts, as co-founder of HIV and Religion Collaborative Website (HARC).       
National Award: National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), Clinical Nurse Specialist Researcher of the Year
Book of the Year Award in Community/Public Health, American Journal of Nursing:  Harkness, G. & DeMarco, R. (Eds.). (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for practice. Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.
National Award: Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) Excellence in HIV Prevention Award
Research Award: Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS), Suzanne Feetham Nurse Scientist Family Research Award
Inducted a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Boston College Alumni Award of Excellence in Health
American Academy of Nursing Media Award for film Women’s Voices Women’s Lives©, DeMarco, Norris, & Minnich, 2004.