{"id":16370,"date":"2025-04-30T13:23:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T20:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/center-community-health-engaged-research\/?p=16370"},"modified":"2025-04-30T19:26:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T02:26:08","slug":"abrc-jan-feb-workshops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/center-community-health-engaged-research\/blog\/abrc-jan-feb-workshops\/","title":{"rendered":"Research, Collaboration, and Practical Training Provided Through ABRC Workshops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Research, Collaboration, and Practical Training Provided Through ABRC Workshops<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Northern Arizona University\u2019s Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), in partnership with the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre<\/a> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sessions highlight the importance of hands-on training, collaboration across sectors, and the use of real-world data and tools to improve health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harnessing Health Data: Opportunities with the All of Us Initiative<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first workshop centered on the All of Us Research Program<\/a><\/em>, a nationwide initiative to improve healthcare by gathering health and genetic data from over one million people across the country. Dr. Jason Karnes Dr. Jason Karnes, John A. and Frances P. Ware Endowed Department Head of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy at University of Arizona, explained how this data is already helping researchers tailor treatments and improve health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Jason Karnes speaking during Harnessing Health Data, an ABRC workshop centering the All of Us Program.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the key tenets here is diversity and including individuals that have been underrepresented in biomedical research… this is not just about representation. This is about doing better science,\u201d said Dr. Karnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The workshop gave participants an in-depth look at how biosamples, electronic health records, and wearable technology data are collected and integrated into a secure, usable research database. Questions from attendees reflected a broad interest in issues such as data privacy, recruiting healthcare providers to contribute information, and the potential implications of genetic findings on insurance coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tribal representatives raised critical concerns about data ownership and historical distrust in genetic research. Dr. Karnes acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that building trust remains an essential part of making this resource useful and inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Susan Holechek, Assistant Teaching Professor at the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University shared how she has brought the All of Us<\/em> database into the classroom to help train students in data analysis, research ethics, and real-world problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Susan Holechek joins virtually to present her experience integrating the All of Us dataset into her curriculum.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudents really like to work with the database and that\u2019s why they decide to volunteer and help the next generation. And that is happening in all my classes,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach has led students to develop projects on topics like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and the use of genetic data in prescribing medications. ASU\u2019s use of All of Us<\/em> has opened opportunities for both in-person and online learners to engage in high-impact research and present their work at conferences across the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Buzzard, Associate Librarian from NAU\u2019s Cline Library also spoke about the research support available to the broader community: \u201cWhile we do support students primarily, we are open to the public and available to anyone who would like to get help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pam Buzzard, Associate Librarian at NAU’s Cline Library speaking on resources available to NAU and the community. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Del Yazzie, Director of the Navajo Epidemiology Center and member of the Navajo Cancer Workgroup<\/a>, presented on his work leading an epidemiology center in Window Rock, Arizona. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His work focuses on leading the Navajo Nation’s leading disease surveillance efforts putting science and data into action and to help Navajo communities stay healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the workshop, he guided the attendees through the concept of tribal data sovereignty and how tribal health research is conducted through centers like the Navajo Epidemiology Center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yazzie is currently serving a 3 year term on the board of the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board<\/a> (NNHRRB). Since 1996, the NNHRRB has guided research priorities and regulations to guarantee ethical research for Navajo people while collaborating with leading scientists, healthcare providers, and community partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Good things can come from research and partnering including genetic research,” assured Yazzie. “Navajo students [are] building that capacity to conduct, not just research but Public Health in general, for Navajo people and then publishing and presenting data to the community and tribal government.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Del Yazzie presenting on the Navajo Epidemiology Center, tribal data sovereignty, and progress in Navajo public health research efforts. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The session wrapped up with a discussion on growing academic-healthcare partnerships and exploring how research findings from the All of Us<\/em> program can be used in practical ways to improve healthcare delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can watch “Harnessing Health Data: Opportunities with the All of Us Program” on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridging Resources: Coordinating Culturally Centered Support for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

February\u2019s workshop focused on practical ways to improve care coordination and expand access to behavioral health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy hope was that we would also come to learn where the gaps were in the system… and maybe start to brainstorm ways that we might fill those gaps so we could serve our patients better,\u201d said Dr. Jennifer Conn, Medical Director and CEO of Flagstaff Emergency Physicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Jennifer Conn (right) opens the workshop alongside Steven Barger (left), Professor in Psychological Sciences at NAU.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Keynote speaker Dr. Sara Gibson, a psychiatrist and expert in telemedicine, emphasized how virtual platforms are reshaping treatment for substance use disorders in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are in a difficult time where people are lacking social connection… Telehealth, I believe, can be a bridge over physical distancing to provide us with more social connection,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Sara Gibson delivers the keynote address during February’s ABRC Workshop “Bridging Resources: Coordinating Culturally Centered Support for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder.”<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

She also addressed the impact of changing federal policies on prescribing medications like buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder. Many patients rely on telehealth to access care, and regulatory changes could significantly affect that access. Dr. Gibson encouraged continued advocacy for policies that support virtual treatment options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Gibson’s address, participants and speakers were invited to stand up and engage in a speed-networking activity where each person had a few minutes to learn more about each other and explore collaborative opportunities or specialty overlap. Many participants seemed interested in going a moment or two past the announcement to move on to the next person, demonstrating the sparks between attendees intended by the activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n