Labs

Taking learning outside the classroom for students in the College of Health and Human Services

Faculty from every department in the College of Health and Human Services engage in ongoing research. NAU’s lab facilities offer an environment in which faculty and students work collaboratively to achieve their research initiatives.

Adult Cognitive-Communication Laboratory

Key researcher:  Dr. Emi Isaki

Housed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders under the leadership of Dr. Emi Isaki, the Adult Cognitive-Communication Laboratory (ACCL) explores the relationship between cognitive processes (such as attention, memory, executive functions, and organization) and communication abilities.

Auditory Research Laboratory

Key researcher:  Dr. Ishan Bhatt

The Auditory Research Lab seeks to identify genetic factors leading to audiological disorders, a major clinical challenge for developing genetic medicines to treat these audiological disorders. Under the direction of Dr. Ishan Bhatt, research has also identified environmental risk factors of chronic tinnitus and is exploring a genetic association with the long-term goal of identifying the confluence of environmental, audiological, and genetic risk factors that cause chronic tinnitus.

Cell and Molecular Pathology Laboratory

Key researcher:  Dr. O’neil Guthrie

NAU’s Cell and Molecular Pathology Laboratory (CMPL), under the leadership of Dr. O’neil Guthrie, is focused on defining the cellular and molecular bases of diseases as a necessary prerequisite to the development of biomedical therapies. The laboratory employs strategies that encompass molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, epigenetics, exploratory pharmacology, electrophysiology, microscopy, histopathology & cytology, and design-based stereology.

Child Speech and Language Lab

Key researcher:  Dr. Anna Sosa

Under the direction of Dr. Anna Sosa in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the Child Speech and Language Lab (CSLL) studies early speech and language development in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The goal of the CSLL is to use the information obtained to provide better services for young children with speech and language delay and their families.

FAST Lab (Fitness Assessment and Sport Training)

Key researchers:  Dierdra Bycura and Chris Repka

The FAST lab is both a teaching and research laboratory with equipment appropriate for conducting various fitness assessments, as well as exercise interventions.  The FAST lab supports on-going research concerning the impact of specific modes of exercise for improvement of exercise performance and overall health.  Additionally, this lab is involved in the validation of exercise testing protocols.

The FAST lab houses equipment used for exercise testing, exercise program design, and sport specific training.  Equipment within this laboratory includes, but is not limited to, treadmills, cycle ergometers, CompuTrainer bike system, Veletron, skinfold calipers, blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes, free weights, handgrip dynamometer, and a Vertec vertical jump tester.

HEAL Lab (Health Eating & Active Living)

Key researchers: Tim Behrens, Priscilla Sanderson, and Dirk de Heer

The HEAL Lab is centered upon community-based evaluation efforts, largely focused on HEAL initiatives, but also working with many different health outcomes. The work of the HEAL Lab is primarily with low-resource communities, expanding health for all those we serve. Examples of current efforts include evaluation collaboration with the Navajo Nation (Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Epidemiology Center, Division of Community Development, and other partners), COPE – Gallup, Northern Arizona Healthcare & Fit Kids of Arizona, and more. HEAL Lab work is funded through federal, philanthropic, and collaborative supports.

Human Movement Lab

The Human Movement Lab is a 1200 square foot space in Room B 208 of the Health Science Education Building on the Phoenix Bioscience Core. In the lab, functional performance, biomechanics, and physiologic processes associated with movement and exercise are measured. Research equipment includes a motion analysis system (8 camera Vicon system, AMTI force plate with a portable walkway, and Noraxon wireless 12 lead EMG), Woodway treadmill, stationary bike, metabolic cart, GAITRite and LiteGait systems, Neurocom, and various pieces of equipment for resistance exercise.

LEAN Lab (Laboratory for Exercise and Nutrition)

Key researchers:  Jay Sutliffe, Chris Repka, and Dierdra Bycura

The LEAN lab is a facility with state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate various components of body composition, to include lean body mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, and hydration status along with blood glucose and blood lipid data for diet analysis and nutrition education. The LEAN lab supports on-going research in nutrition evaluation and education, exercise intervention and body composition analysis. Equipment within this laboratory includes, but is not limited to, GE Hologic Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry machine, COSMED “Quark CPET” Metabolic cart, SECA, HbA1C blood analyzers, Cholestech LDX Analyzers, and food models for dietary analysis and education.

MIT (Motivational Interviewing Training) Lab

Key researchers: Dawn Clifford

The MIT lab is a teaching and research lab aimed at training students within health professions to become more effective at supporting patients and clients through the behavior change process and researching the effectiveness of innovative motivational interviewing training techniques. The lab space provides students with a comfortable and confidential space to conduct health coaching sessions along with equipment for supervision and feedback. The MIT lab supports the health coaching training needs of community partners in Northern Arizona through training students for employment and supporting their employee training needs.

PRANDIAL Lab (Plant Rich and Nutrient Dense Interventions for Active Lifestyles)

Key researchers: Jay Sutliffe and Julia Scheid

The diverse team of educators, clinicians, researchers, and students involved with the PRANDIAL Lab seek to better understand the mechanisms and dynamics involved in the relationship among nutrition, behaviors, cultural influences, and sustainable lifestyle practices. Our projects are local, regional, and nationwide. We partner with professionals from academia, medicine, health departments, health care systems, behavioral health, and the broad field of wellness, in an effort to facilitate optimum living across the lifespan with a primary focus on nutrition and foods.