Research Projects
PHEAL students are taught both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and they are trained to critically evaluate health data and sources. Beginning in lower division classes, they embark upon their own independent research so that by the time they are in their fourth year they are prepared to complete their capstone final project within a local public health department, social service agency, or non-profit organization.
Lily Tewfik (’24):
Fostering Hope: Empowering Children in the Child Welfare System through Court-Appointed Special Advocates
Jasmine Shigeno (’24)
Addressing Maternal Mortality in Oregon: Integrating prenatal care, culturally congruent birthing support, and postnatal home visits
Pardeep Kaur (’24)
Restoring Resilience: Enhancing Trauma and Culturally Informed Practices for Burnout Mitigation in Healthcare Settings
Jackie Gilroy(’23)
Oral Health Surveillance: An Evaluation of the Oregon Health Authority’s Pediatric Smile and Healthy Growth Screening
Jenna Harris (’23)
Parallel Epidemics: Investigating Diabetes Care Among Insured and Uninsured Individuals in Oregon
Bridget Bodor (’23):
Public Health Communication: How to Prepare and Protect Vulnerable Communities in Emergencies
Carson Summer Research Award:
Kiera Atkinson(’25)
Analyzing College-Level Student Health Centers in a Post-Roe World
Heatherington Summer Research Projects:
Callia Mott (’24), Research Internship with Samaritan Health Hospital Department of Mental Health & Behavioral Health
Amira Porter-Stauffer (’24), Research Internship with Oregon HIV Alliance
Tiffany Truong (’25) Internship with Willamette Health Council
Lane Shaffer (’27) Internship with the Oregon Health AuthorityWillamette’s PHEAL faculty is engaged in multiple community-based public health research projects. They involve students however and whenever possible. Here are three ongoing examples:
Environmental Health Hazards & Threats Research Project
Public Health is increasingly at the forefront of climate change adaptation with the primary goal of protecting the health and well-being of individuals and communities. In 2023, Willamette’s Public Health faculty partnered with Environmental Science faculty to support the health departments of Marion and Polk Counties in their effort to better communicate Environmental Health Hazards & Threats—such as heat waves and ice storms—to vulnerable populations including older adults, migrant farm workers, and recently resettled refugees.
This 18-month project engaged nearly every PHEAL and Environmental Science major in some way. Students in fourteen separate classes helped collect and/or analyze primary data, conducting focus groups, interviewing stakeholders, piloting a community survey, and searching for examples of best practices. Twelve students worked as paid research assistants, helping with the logistics and the organization of research findings. Several students presented or will present the fruits of this research in posters at academic conferences.
Sexual Health Education Research Project
Since 2019, Willamette students have conducted research in support of the Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health and Human Services, and the Oregon Health Authority to examine how teachers in eight area school districts understand and teach the Oregon health standards related to sexual health and safety. This research has engaged approximately 80 students from public health and other disciplines who have learned about local, state, and federal rules and policies governing the teaching of health in public schools; comparative educational opportunities and outcomes between urban and rural school districts; human resource challenges to teaching the health standards; and much more.
Tobacco and Alcohol Retailer Assessment
Beginning in Fall 2024, PHEAL faculty and students will work with The Marion County Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) to help complete a comprehensive survey of 150 local tobacco and alcohol retailers. Students involved in the research will be prepared and co-trained by the Chronic Disease Prevention Program Coordinator of Marion County Health and Human Services. Results of the survey will guide future public health programming and community outreach geared to lower rates of tobacco and alcohol use and abuse in Marion County and beyond.