How it all started.
GRASS was founded in 2023.
Established by a group of nurse scientists based in Switzerland and the United States, the first international symptom science symposium was held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2023.
Forty nurse scientists and interprofessional colleagues representing seven countries attended the two-day meeting. Attendees shared research results, exchanged experiences, and discussed current challenges across continents, culminating in the decision to create a formal alliance. GRASS was launched as a tangible platform to foster ongoing international exchange in the spirit of joining forces to move the field forward together.
How it all works.

GRASS’ activities are articulated around five core mission strategies – all aligned with its central vision. Task forces are working to put into place concrete actions to achieve these goals.
Our vision is to alleviate the global burden of chronic disease-related symptoms.
Meet the
founding members
GRASS was established by a group of nurse scientists from Switzerland and the United States. It has since grown into a global network, counting
more than 100 members.

Sara Colomer-Lahiguera
Institute for Higher Education and Research
in Healthcare
University of Lausanne & Lausanne University Hospital
Switzerland

Marilyn Hammer
Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing
and Patient Care Services
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

Mary E. Cooley
Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing
and Patient Care Services
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

Manuela Eicher
Institute for Higher Education and Research
in Healthcare
University of Lausanne & Lausanne University Hospital
Switzerland

Carolyn Harris
School of Nursing
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Christine Miaskowski
School of Nursing
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Rachel Pozzar
Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing
and Patient Care Services
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

Susan Wesmiller
School of Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

Klara Soukup
Freelance science journalist
& research communicator
University of Lausanne
Switzerland
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