Research areas of focus

The research programs in the CSD Department focus on populations across the lifespan and cover the full communication cycle – from hearing to speaking. Studies are found at cellular and molecular levels of basic science to the provision of services to clinical populations. The research in CSD lives up to its tagline, “from science to service”.

CSD research is conducted in four specialty areas:

Hearing Loss:

Cell and molecular, genetic, and environmental risk factors for hearing loss, inducible DNA repair genes in the prevention of hearing loss

Speech and language development:

Early speech production and perception, language development and comprehension from reading, writing, and early literacy at the preschool ages through narrative development in later school years; second language learning and dialectal factors that influence speech production and intelligibility; augmentative and alternative communication

Adult Neurogenic Disorders:

Identification of concussion/mild TBI persistent symptoms and early cognitive-communication therapy effects on functional outcomes

Clinical Interventions and effectiveness:

Interprofessional education and practice; impact of singing on the well-being of persons with motor speech disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease; supervision effectiveness in in-person or electronic service deliveries; voice and communication issues related to gender identity; impact of voice and resonance disorders on communication; bilingual language assessment.

Through all research, teaching, and clinical activities, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is committed to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our region and nation.

Individual faculty areas of research and expertise are found in the directory listings.

The programs of our faculty research are diverse. We are united by an emphasis on improving oral health disparities in rural and underserved communities regionally, nationally, and internationally. Faculty conduct interdisciplinary research in teams in the following areas:

Project Zero/Elementary Aged Children

• Impact of service learning for DH students
  • Project Zero involved dental hygiene (DH) students in delivery of preventive services to high-risk children through a school-based prevention program. Project Zero provided the opportunity for dental hygiene students to learn about public health needs and apply public health methods as they delivered services in a school-based program, with the goal of increasing the knowledge, skill, and comfort of dental hygiene students in the provision of preventive oral care for children in public health settings. PI Tricia Moore.

Project Zero/Women, Infants, and Children

• Impact of oral health integration into maternal/child care on pregnant women and their infants’ health
  • Project Zero-Women & Infants examines the impact of oral health integration into maternal/child care on pregnant women and their infants’ health through consultation and training with health providers and implementation of quality improvement methodology in health care facilities that serve the target populations. This pilot project supports data analysis in an identified health system with a focus on access to dental care and improved dental outcomes on children. Project Zero-Women & Infants is funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Grant #H47MC2918, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Veterans Support Program

• Effects of academic support on the matriculation of veteran students in health-related fields
  • Veterans Support Program and Veterans Managed Academic Program Support (VetMAPS) are the foundation for research on the effects of academic support and faculty and staff training on the matriculation of veteran students in health-related fields. An analysis of case management approach for veteran students with service related disabilities is planned. Veterans Support and VetMAPS is funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce Grant #D18HP29041, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Journey for Underrepresented Medical Professionals

• Pipeline programs for disadvantaged students effects on graduation rates from health professions
  • This study measures how supported academic interventions impact health professionals’ graduation rates and workforce diversity. A pipeline project for students from disadvantaged backgrounds offers high school, graduate, and undergraduate students support to facilitate entry into a health profession. Journey for Underrepresented Medical Professionals is funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce Grant Grant #D18HP29041, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS)

• SDS implications on workforce diversity and access to oral healthcare
  • This study is an examination of the implications of providing financial aid to students from disadvantaged backgrounds on workforce diversity and access to healthcare. SDS is funded by the U.S. Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce Grant #T08HP30172, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Research is key to improving education, clinical practice, and patient outcomes. Our work impacts practice, health outcomes, quality of care, and health policy to improve the oral health of our communities. We provide support, mentorship, and leadership to students and faculty through opportunities to collaborate on projects and through interprofessional education, collaboration, and practice.

Broadly, the Health Sciences Department has research expertise in physical activity surveillance and exercise prescription, nutrition, and public health community-based interventions, particularly those with an evaluation component and working with Native American populations. Specific expertise is listed below:

Physical Activity:

• Dr. Dierdra Bycura: exercise prescription and adherence. Working with microbiome changes associated with different exercise modalities.
• Dr. Dirk de Heer: evaluation of community-based physical activity interventions. Currently working with Fit Kids of Northern Arizona to examine clinically-relevant physical activity interventions for childhood obesity.
• Dr. Steve Palmer: effectiveness of physical education in school settings. Currently working with FUSD to implement positive PE changes in classrooms.
• Dr. Tim Behrens: evaluation of community-based physical activity interventions. Currently working with Colorado schools to evaluate physical activity offerings.
• Dr. Chris Repka: exercise prescription in cancer treatment. Currently working with ACSM to update/develop strength testing norms.
• Dr. Lynda Ransdell: Enhancing athletic performance of female athletes, physical activity interventions, and promoting physical activity in females and underserved populations. Currently working with elite athletic teams to profile physical performance capabilities.

Nutrition:

• Dr. Jay Sutliffe: plant-based nutritional interventions. Currently working with multiple studies examining the role of plant-based nutrition.
• Dr. Dawn Clifford: motivational interviewing for weight management. Currently working to develop training tools for motivational interviewing.
• Dr. Dirk de Heer: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.
• Dr. Tim Behrens: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.
• Dr. Priscilla Sanderson: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.

Community-based Interventions (evaluation):

• Dr. Dirk de Heer: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.
• Dr. Tim Behrens: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.
• Dr. Priscilla Sanderson: evaluation of food environments. Currently working with the Navajo Nation to evaluate the effectiveness of junk-food taxes.

Faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy are pursuing research interests including, but not limited to:

• behavioral health
• daily life skills
• disability & inclusion
• environmental access & modification
• health equities & disparities
• health promotion
• independent living
• interprofessional education & practice
• occupational performance
• quality of life
• transition services
• well-being

The faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training have a wide range of research interests. In general, the projects reach into these broad categories:

Clinical biomechanics

• gait analysis
• musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• posture

Control of movement and rehabilitation after neurological disorders

• aerobic capacity and exercise prescription
• boxing for mobility
• motor learning
• postural control
• rehabilitation in the pediatric client
• vestibular rehabilitation

Health services research

Sports

• concussion assessment
• sports-related injuries

Additional lines of research

• emergency department Physical Therapy services
• end of life care
• health-focused lifestyle intervention
• methodology and statistics
• psychosocial issues in healthcare
• teaching effectiveness in Physical Therapy programs

• health services
• health professions education
• contributions of PAs/NPs to healthcare delivery
• diversity in health professions education, particularly PA education
• factors associated with effective team-delivered health care
• interprofessional education
• factors associated with work-related well-being among health care providers
• health services research (workforce, provider utilization, practice trends, etc.)
• diversity treads in health professions and the PA profession
• healthcare workforce issues in medically underserved populations and communities
• educational program accreditation and assessment
• growth and development of publications and scholarship in the PA profession (the history and progression of PA research)
• PA leadership

Our faculty research programs are diverse. We are united by an emphasis on improving health disparities in rural and underserved communities regionally, nationally, and internationally. Faculty conduct interdisciplinary research in teams in four specialty areas:

Cancer symptom management

Research emphasizes cancer-related fatigue, and acute, long-term, and late effects of cancer.

Domestic violence

Faculty concentrate on issues related to child abuse and intimate partner violence.

Caregiving and end of life

The research focuses on managing early dementia, palliative care, and end of life issues across the lifespan.

Wellness and Physical Activity

Research programs focus on cancer and physical activity, nutrition and obesity, and weight management.

Research is key to improving education, practice, and patient outcomes. Our work impacts practice, health outcomes, quality of care and health policy to improve the health of our communities. We provide support, mentorship, and leadership to students and faculty through opportunities to collaborate on projects and through interprofessional work. Laboratory and statistical support is available through the College of Heath and Human Services. We actively seek students and faculty whose research interests align with those of our faculty.