Eugenia Millender

Eugenia Flores Millender, Ph.D., RN, PMH-APRN, FAAN, FAANP, is a nationally and internationally recognized nurse scientist, educator and leader dedicated to transforming mental health care and expanding access to innovative, integrated solutions. She is co-founder and co-director of the Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment, Assistant Dean for Research and Marie Cowart Endowed Professor (Tenured) at Florida State University (FSU) College of Nursing.

Dr. Millender integrates her clinical expertise and research to examine how stress, trauma and adversity shape long-term psychological and physical health. Her program of research is distinguished by community-driven strategies that accelerate the translation of discoveries into meaningful, real-world impact, improving mental health outcomes for all populations.

Her leadership extends across the globe, with collaborations in the U.S., Panama, Madagascar, Brazil and Mexico. She partners with institutions such as the Institute of Scientific Research and High Technology Services of Panama (INDICASAT) and the Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas to advance national and international mental health research and foster sustainable, community-centered solutions.

Before joining FSU, Dr. Millender founded and directed Florida’s first nurse-led university community health center to achieve Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike designation at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. This innovation redefined how nurse-led care could expand access.

She has secured over $30 million in research funding as principal investigator and co-principal investigator and was recognized in 2023 as a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a prestigious fellowship affiliated with the Bipartisan presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson.

A U.S. Army veteran with six years of honorable service, Dr. Millender combines discipline, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and vision in her leadership. She earned her BSN, MS and PhD from Florida Atlantic University and pursued advanced training at Rush University (psychiatric and mental health nursing), the University of Florida (precision medicine), the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School (executive leadership) and Harvard Medical School (AI in healthcare).

With a unique ability to unite clinical expertise, research innovation and national and international partnerships, Dr. Millender is shaping the future of mental health and nursing worldwide.

Research Areas

Mental Health Disparities, Chronic Stress and Trauma, Transgenerational Psychological and Biological Impact, Biopsychosocial Mechanisms of Stress and Trauma,  Cardiovascular and Mental Health Comorbidity, Community-Engaged Research and Integrated Care Models.