Blog

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

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

A new name, the same commitment to community and research

Beck Thomas | April 23, 2025

As our center continues to grow, we want to share an important update. Over time, our work has expanded to encompass a broader range of research and deeper community partnerships. As we evolve in response to the needs of our researchers and the communities we serve, we have changed our name to the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER)… Read more

Hands wearing turquoise jewelry, making a circle with their hands

CHER Shares Research on Incarcerated Populations at National Conference

Beck Thomas | April 18, 2025

A team of CHER researchers recently presented at the 18th Annual Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health Conference in Austin, Texas, sharing insights from the Gender Differences in Physical Activity in Incarcerated Populations project… Read more

SHERC awarded 10th supplement to support data capacity

Heather Tate | December 10, 2024

The southwest region of the United States is a beautiful part of the country, filled with rich culture, incredible landscapes, and a strong need for health equity intervention. SHERC, the largest research initiative within the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), specifically addresses health and wellness disparities through community-based research. … Read more

Connecting through music: How music intervention is changing lives in Arizona’s care centers

Heather Tate | November 25, 2024

As the automatic doors rolled open, the light sounds of wind and percussion instruments filled the open corridor surrounding the front desk at Haven Health, a skilled-nursing and rehabilitation hospital in northern Arizona… Read more

Handheld bells, wood blocks, and personal drums sitting on a table.

Off to Ole Miss: Diedre’ Goodluck’s MPH experience in toxicological science

llk73 | October 8, 2024

Mike Anastario, assistant professor in health sciences, builds capacity for mentorship into his research projects, allowing his student, Diedre’ Goodluck to assist him with lab work at the University of Mississippi. Goodluck (Diné) is a 2nd year master in public health (MPH) student approaching her education as a way to lead health equity research in her community… Read more