Care, inquiry, and action.

Biography

Aaron Riffa, BSN, RN, OCN, is an oncology-certified nurse, clinical researcher, and Doctor of Nursing Practice–Family Nurse Practitioner student at the University of Florida. He serves as a Clinical Research Nurse at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he supports cancer survivorship and supportive-care research focused on wellness and health-related quality of life across diverse cancer populations.

His research interests include cancer survivorship, cancer prevention, health disparities, health equity, health decision-making, health outcomes, sexual and gender minority health, and Hispanic/Latine communities. In his clinical research role, Aaron coordinates electronic health record–embedded patient-reported outcome measures, participant recruitment and follow-up, data collection and management, adverse-event monitoring, regulatory activities, and multidisciplinary research operations.

Aaron’s current scholarship includes a 2026 peer-reviewed publication in Oncology Nursing Forum, work on inclusive oncology care and provider preparedness, research on mental-health-care delays and marijuana use among midlife and older adults, disparities in financial toxicity among adults with hematologic malignancies, and a youth digital and AI engagement EMA protocol and feasibility study.

Alongside his clinical and research work, Aaron teaches nursing students at the University of Florida College of Nursing. He supports Lead and Inspire 4 and Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I, provides dosage-calculation and HESI/NCLEX-style exam preparation, and creates visual learning resources that make complex material more accessible.

His service includes leadership roles with the SBSM LGBTQ+ Health SIG, City of Miami LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, GLMA, Essential Haus, Dade County Street Response, the University of Florida LGBTQ+ Alumni Association, and the UF Nursing Research and Scholarship Committee. His community work also includes volunteering with IDEA Exchange, the Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Symposium, and Lotus House Women’s Shelter.