Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Student takes a patients blood pressure at N A U's campus health services.
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Research

Healthcare labs, community clinics, and faculty research

Scrubs, lab coats, track suits, and more—we wear it all, and do it all. Many students in the College of Health and Human Services become well-rounded healthcare professionals through research experience.

This professional preparation helps our graduates get ready to take an active role in their community’s health initiatives. Aspiring researchers work alongside our experienced faculty members in every department, enjoying experiential research in labs, community clinics, and scholarly research projects.

Doctor looks at the x-rays of a chest scan.

Labs

Make the next breakthrough in one of our faculty-led research labs.

 A group of people gather around a patient wearing a blood pressure cuff.

Community clinics

Gain professional skills and provide affordable health and wellness services to our community.

Faculty research by department

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Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research programs in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) focus on populations across the lifespan and cover the full communication cycle, from hearing to speaking. We conduct studies on topics ranging from the cellular and molecular levels of basic science to the provision of services to clinical populations. Research in CSD lives up to its tagline: “From science to service.”

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

Individual faculty areas of research and expertise are listed in the directory. CSD research is conducted in four specialty areas:

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A student test fits a hearing aid on a patient.

Hearing loss

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

A speech therapy student sits with a child.

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.

A student showing a model to another person.

Adult neurogenic disorders

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

Students and a professor testing sound in a recording studio.

Clinical interventions and effectiveness

Skip to slide 1 Hearing loss Skip to slide 2 Speech and language development Skip to slide 3 Adult neurogenic disorders Skip to slide 4 Clinical interventions and effectiveness
A dental hygienist cleaning a students teeth.

Dental Hygiene

Our faculty research includes diverse offerings. We are united by an emphasis on improving oral health disparities in rural and underserved communities regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Research is key to improving education, clinical practice, and patient outcomes. Our work affects 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 and practice.

Faculty conduct interdisciplinary research in teams in the following areas:

Student dental hygienists working on other students teeth.

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.

A dental hygienist educator helping a student while cleaning a students teeth.

Project zero: Women and Infants

Impact of oral health integration into maternal/child care on pregnant women and their infants’ health

Women and 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 healthcare 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. Women and Infants is funded by the US Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Grant #H47MC2918, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

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Student dental hygienist wearing eyeglasses, mask, and surgical gown.

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 US Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce Grant #D18HP29041, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Dentists working on a students teeth.

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 US Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce Grant Grant #D18HP29041, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

Student dental hygienists wearing surgical masks, gloves, and masks.

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 US Department of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce Grant #T08HP30172, PI Denise Muesch Helm.

 

Skip to slide 1 Veterans Support Program Skip to slide 2 Journey for Underrepresented Medical Professionals Skip to slide 3 Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS)
Students in a circle and lifting up their hands.

Health Sciences

Broadly, the Department of Health Sciences 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. Review our faculty members’ areas of expertise to find the right fit for you.

Students in the gym working out and using dumbbells.

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.
Vegetables and fruits on a table and bowls of guacamole.

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.
Two students smiling with one student takes a paper bag of food.

Community-based interventions

  • 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.
A teacher is pointing at a picture and two students are looking at photo.

Occupational Therapy

A teacher and a child playing a game.

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

  • behavioral health
  • daily life skills
  • disability and inclusion
  • environmental access and modification
  • health equities and disparities
  • health promotion
  • independent living
  • interprofessional education and practice
  • occupational performance
  • quality of life
  • transition services
  • well-being
  • chronic conditions
  • assessment and evaluation
  • physical disabilities

Three students laying on an exam table and three physical therapists lifting up their legs.

Physical Therapy and Athletic Training

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

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Three students and a teacher looking at a model.

Clinical biomechanics

  • Gait analysis
  • Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
  • Posture
A student leaning against a ball with weights in her hands.

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
Students research concussion related injuries.

Youth sport and concussion

  • Concussion Disclosure
  • Return to Learn Strategies after Concussion
  • Development of Assessment Tools
  • Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention
  • Physical Literacy
  • Health Equity
A person with a harness on standing while a physical therapists holds on to one of the straps.

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
Skip to slide 1 Clinical biomechanics Skip to slide 2 Control of movement and rehabilitation after neurological disorders Skip to slide 3 Youth sport and concussion Skip to slide 4 Additional lines of research
A person sitting on a exam table while a physician uses an otoscope.

Physician Assistant Studies

A student sitting on an exam table with two physician assistants.

Faculty in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies are pursuing research interests including, but not limited to:

  • 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 healthcare providers
  • health services research (workforce, provider utilization, practice trends, etc.)
  • diversity trends 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