Blog

Read about the amazing things happening at the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research.

NAU researcher co-leads NIH-funded project on autism health outcomes

Beck Thomas | October 14, 2025

FLAG, Ariz. –Northern Arizona University is playing a key role in a new nationwide research initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve health and quality of life for people with autism… Read more

Connecting Communities and Care: C-CART Scholars Lead Research to Strengthen Substance Use Treatment

Beck Thomas | August 27, 2025

This spring, four research teams completed their training through the Community-Centered Addictions Research Training Program (C-CART), a project of NAU’s Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER). Designed to support students, early-career researchers, and behavioral health professionals, the program focuses on substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment for minority populations across the Southwest… Read more

A professor addresses the group from a podium to present certificates to the graduates.

Studying Health During and After Incarceration: SHERC Project Enters Phase Two

Beck Thomas | August 26, 2025

Researchers from Northern Arizona University’s Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER) and the University of Arizona are entering the next stage of a groundbreaking study at the Yavapai County Detention Center (YCDC) aimed at understanding how incarceration affects health outcomes both inside the facility and after release… Read more

Project researchers look over the waist measuring device.

Amanda Aguirre: Building at the Border to Revolutionize Rural Healthcare

Beck Thomas |

Former Arizona State Senator and longtime nonprofit health leader reflects on public service, policy wins, and the collective vision that’s transforming rural health in southern Arizona through quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare options like the San Luis Medical Mall and planned San Luis Community Hospital… Read more

A digital rendering of the planned San Luis hospital.

Rooted in Community: Indigenous Student Enhancement Program Expands to San Carlos Apache Tribe

Beck Thomas | July 22, 2025

Piloted for the first time outside Navajo Nation, ISEP brings culturally grounded public health education to Apache high school students sparking new career paths, personal growth, and community dialogue… Read more

A group of students outside lined up in front of the San Carlos Apache College sign.

Powering Big Data for Bigger Discoveries

Beck Thomas | April 30, 2025

Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) capacity for data-driven research just got a major upgrade, thanks to a high-impact renovation project led by the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative’s (SHERC) Research Capacity Core (RCC). In effort to support researchers working with large and complex data sets, the RCC funded a comprehensive upgrade of NAU’s central server room… Read more

Brett West indicates the continuous batter system to SHERC

Research, Collaboration, and Practical Training Provided Through ABRC Workshops

Beck Thomas |

Northern Arizona University’s Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), in partnership with the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre (ABRC), is moving through the 2025 health research workshop series. In January and February, CHER hosted two impactful workshops designed to connect researchers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations across Arizona… Read more

CHER Researchers Selected as Flinn Early Career Faculty Fellows

Beck Thomas | April 29, 2025

The Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER) is proud to celebrate two of our affiliated faculty members, Dr. Michael Anastario and Dr. Tara Bautista, for being selected as Flinn Early Career Faculty Fellows at Northern Arizona University (NAU). This prestigious fellowship recognizes outstanding early-career faculty who are poised to make significant contributions to research in the biological and health sciences… Read more

Advancing Partnerships That Shape Community Health

Beck Thomas |

Building relationships between academic institutions and the surrounding community is pivotal in connecting research with action to meet community needs. The Community-Campus Partnership Support (CCPS) Program is currently accepting applications for the next round of funding to foster collaborations between community organizations and academic researchers… Read more

Sheila Hammer speaks about her CCPS project

Bright Smiles Ahead

Beck Thomas |

Based on findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Bodies Survey (2015) conducted through the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), early childhood cavities and tooth decay are linked to chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease… Read more