Cubby Gardner is the Executive Director of the TriService Nursing Research Program, the Department of Defense’s premier funding agency dedicated to advancing military nursing science. In this role, he directs strategic research investments that improve health outcomes for service members and their families, spanning combat casualty care, operational readiness, and precision health. A U.S. Air Force Colonel and certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Gardner has led and supported high-impact research efforts in aeromedical evacuation, shipboard medicine, and translational science. His leadership emphasizes data-informed policy, interagency collaboration, and development of the next generation of nurse scientists. Dr. Gardner is also widely recognized for his mentorship of doctoral students and early-career investigators, strengthening the military nursing research enterprise through education and evidence-based practice. He represents military nursing on national advisory councils and contributes to shaping the future of defense health research. Dr. Gardner holds a PhD in Nursing Science from the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and a MSN and BSN from Texas Woman’s University.