{"id":10515,"date":"2026-03-27T22:58:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T22:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/?p=10515"},"modified":"2026-03-27T23:18:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:18:20","slug":"2026-ppps-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/2026-ppps-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot Project Program supports new teams for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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About the Investigator Development Core Pilot Project Program (PPP) Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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The SHERC Investigator Development Core Pilot Project Program (PPP) is designed to support early-stage investigators at NAU working in basic biomedical, clinical or behavioral health research. Projects supported under the PPP are provided with 2 years of funding to conduct a pilot project, with the purpose of generating data that strengthens competitiveness for NIH and other external funding opportunities<\/span>. <\/span>The project leads also take part in our Individualized Mentorship Program (IMP).<\/span><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
We\u2019re excited to announce four newly funded pilot projects<\/strong> led by investigators committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across our region:<\/span><\/p>\n
$\"\"$ Melinda Smith, PhD, Post-Doctoral Scholar, Health Sciences<\/b><\/h4>\n
Hopi-NAU Collaboration: Piloting the \u00d6\u00f6qalat’ Qa’tsit Yesni Health Curriculum<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
This project addresses the connection between type 2 diabetes and increased cancer risk which is an area often overlooked in traditional diabetes education. Focusing on rural and tribal communities, the study will evaluate a culturally grounded health curriculum that integrates diabetes management, cancer prevention, and early detection. Through community-led education sessions, the project will assess changes in knowledge, health behaviors, and cancer screening intentions.<\/span><\/p>\n
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$\"A$ Sheila Hammer, MSW, LCSW, Associate Clinical Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences<\/b><\/h4>\n
Identifying the Psychosocial Impact of Cancer on American Indian Cancer Patients<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
This study explores how cancer affects mental health and treatment experiences among American Indian patients. Recognizing challenges such as depression, anxiety, and barriers related to travel and access to care, the project will develop a culturally adapted distress screening tool. Findings will help inform support services like patient navigation and support groups, while also providing oncology providers with a practical tool to better support patients in rural communities.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
$\"\"$ Nathan Stone, PhD, Research Scientist, Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI)<\/b><\/h4>\n
Improving Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Prevention through Molecular Epidemiology<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
Rocky Mountain spotted fever continues to impact tribal communities in Arizona. This project investigates how the movement of brown dog ticks contributes to the spread of infection. By studying tick population patterns and disease transmission, the research aims to improve prediction and prevention strategies, ultimately reducing risk in high-incidence areas.<\/span><\/p>\n
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$\"A$ Ariel Roddy, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice<\/b><\/h4>\n
Enhancing Health in Rural Populations: Music as Therapy<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
This project explores the use of music-based interventions to support mental and cognitive health, particularly among individuals experiencing memory loss or chronic conditions. By adapting a music therapy program for Northern Arizona communities, the study will evaluate its impact on cognitive engagement, emotional well-being, and social connection. Results will provide insight into the feasibility and benefits of using music as a tool for community health.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to announce four newly funded pilot projects led by investigators committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across our region: Melinda Smith, PhD, Post-Doctoral Scholar, Health Sciences Hopi-NAU Collaboration: Piloting the \u00d6\u00f6qalat’ Qa’tsit Yesni Health Curriculum This project addresses the connection between type 2 diabetes and increased cancer risk which is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":782,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,359,38],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/782"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10515"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10525,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10515\/revisions\/10525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/sherc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}