{"id":9028,"date":"2023-07-20T16:43:30","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T16:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/sherc\/?page_id=9028"},"modified":"2026-07-15T17:59:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:59:14","slug":"years-6-7","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/sherc\/pilot-project-program\/years-6-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot Project Program, Years 6 & 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pilot Project Program, years 6 & 7<\/h1>\n
The SHERC Pilot Project Program funded six new pilot projects during the sixth and seventh annual cycles of the grant.<\/em><\/p>\n
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Pilot Projects:<\/h3>\n\n
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Addressing Speech Health Outcomes in the Southwest US Using a Telehealth Speech Therapy Game Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Addressing Speech Health Outcomes in the Southwest US Using a Telehealth Speech Therapy Game<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n
Jared Duval, PhD, Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Roles of Daily Stressor Control and Contextual Contributors of Health in Cognitive Aging: Examining Modifiable Contributors to Cognitive Health Differences in Daily Life Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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The Roles of Daily Stressor Control and Contextual Contributors of Health in Cognitive Aging: Examining Modifiable Contributors to Cognitive Health Differences in Daily Life<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n
Eric S. Cerino, PhD, Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Mindfulness-based Intervention for Mothers Who Drink Alcohol to Cope Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Mindfulness-based Intervention for Mothers Who Drink Alcohol to Cope<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n
Tara Bautista, PhD, Principal Investigator<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The Impact of Shelter Type on the Health of Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Northern AZ Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Estimates from Arizona indicate that over 10,000 individuals experience homelessness on any given night, with the COVID-19 pandemic and high housing prices exacerbating housing insecurity. People experiencing homelessness have a multitude of physical and mental health inequities compared to stably housed individuals, including increased susceptibility to infectious disease and higher rates of chronic disease, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and overall mortality. Homelessness is an urgent health and human rights issue across the state, with most research and resources focused on urban areas.<\/p>\n
Study Aims<\/b><\/p>\n
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Describe the cross-sectional association between shelter type and healthcare access, healthcare use, and health outcomes among adults experiencing homelessness in northern Arizona.<\/li>\n
Describe barriers and facilitators to establishing non-congregate shelters for adult experiencing homelessness in northern Arizona and the health impacts of non-congregate shelter use for individuals experiencing homelessness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This study uses a mixed methods approach to investigate how shelter type (unsheltered\/ nomadic, congregate shelter, and non-congregate shelter) impacts healthcare access, healthcare use, and health outcomes for adults experiencing homelessness in Northern Arizona— with a focus on tribal, rural, and border communities. We collect primary data via questionnaire with people who are currently experiencing homelessness, complete interview and\/or focus groups with community stakeholders and people with lived homelessness experience and use statewide secondary data sources to better understand the relationship between emergency shelter type and Medicaid enrollment and use. This research has practical implications for local shelters and policymakers responsible for funding and establishing housing policy.<\/p>\n
Investigators <\/b><\/p>\n
Colleen Hackett, PhD<\/strong>, Principal Investigator<\/p>\n
Sara Shuman, PhD<\/strong>, Co-Investigator<\/p>\n
Ricky Camplain, PhD<\/strong>, Co-Investigator<\/p>\n
Amanda Pollitt, PhD<\/strong>, Co-Investigator<\/p>\n
Julie Roddy, PhD<\/strong>, Co-Investigator<\/p>\n
Robert Wickham<\/strong>, PhD, Co-Investigator<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Is it a gut feeling? Associations between individual biopsychosocial determinants, diet quality, gastrointestinal health, and disease activity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Summary of project<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1.3 million Americans and is influenced by complex biopsychosocial factors that can shape treatment outcomes.<\/li>\n
This study examines how individual biopsychosocial determinants relate to diet quality, gastrointestinal health, and disease activity in adults with RA.<\/li>\n
Using surveys, dietary assessments, gut microbiome analyses, and clinical disease activity measures, the researchers aim to identify key associations.<\/li>\n
Findings will guide future interventions and help improve quality of life for people living with RA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
PD\/PI: Maureen McGarrity-Yoder, PhD, RN, CEN, <\/strong>Assistant Professor, College of Nursing<\/p>\n
Maureen.Yoder@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Emily Cope, PhD,<\/strong> Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Pathogen & Microbiome Institute (PMI)<\/p>\n
Emily.Cope@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Heidi Wayment, PhD, <\/strong>Regents Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences<\/p>\n
Heidi.Wayment@nau.edu<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Water Quality Revealed: Is exposure to pathogens higher for rural communities in the Southwest? Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
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Summary of project<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
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This study will compare drinking water quality and the presence of active pathogens between a city and a close by rural community in the Colorado River Basin located in Arizona.<\/li>\n
Researchers will evaluate community perspectives on drinking water quality and assess the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence pathogen presence from the water source to the end user.<\/li>\n
The project will use advanced DNA-based detection methods and innovative data analysis to identify active waterborne pathogens and better understand potential health risks.<\/li>\n
Findings will help develop community-informed strategies to improve drinking water safety and reduce exposure to harmful pathogens in rural communities.<\/li>\n
Results will strengthen partnerships and support future research to address drinking water quality challenges in under resourced rural communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
PD\/PI: Diana C Calvo Martinez, PhD, <\/strong>Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering<\/p>\n
Diana.Calvo@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Armando Medinaceli,<\/strong> PhD<\/strong>, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology<\/p>\n
Armando.Medinaceli@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Lucero Radonic, PhD, <\/strong>Professor, Department of Anthropology<\/p>\n
Lucero.Radonic@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Jani Ingram, PhD<\/strong>, Chair Chemistry and Biochemistry, Regents’ Professor and Dr. Don Gilbert Endowed Chair in Chemistry<\/p>\n
Jani.Ingram@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Greg Caporaso, PhD, <\/strong>Department of Biological Sciences<\/p>\n
Greg.Caporaso@nau.edu<\/p>\n
Co-I: Crystal Hepp, PhD, <\/strong>Associate Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems<\/p>\n
Crystal.Hepp@nau.edu<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Pilot Project Inquiries<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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