Community Health Researcher (SWANA) - M.-SamiAt — CSUF - Public Health

Under the direct supervision of a faculty member, the Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) will support a pilot study exploring Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) young adults (ages 21–29) in Orange County. This project seeks to identify knowledge gaps, attitudes, and preventative behaviors to inform culturally and linguistically appropriate health promotion strategies. The URA will gain supervised, hands-on experience in qualitative research, data analysis, and community-engaged scholarship.

Responsibilities (All tasks will be conducted under faculty supervision):
• Assist in conducting literature reviews on ADRD, immigrant health, and MENA populations
• Support the development of recruitment materials and outreach strategies (e.g., flyers, social media), with guidance from the faculty supervisor
• Help coordinate focus group logistics, including scheduling, note-taking, and transcription, under supervision
• Participate in supervised data entry, coding, and thematic analysis of qualitative data
• Attend regular team meetings and contribute to research dissemination efforts (e.g., presentations, publications) under faculty direction
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical research standards as instructed
• Cultivate relationships with Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Orange County for collaboration and training

Learning Outcomes  

Learning Outcomes
• Gain experience in qualitative research methods and community-based research
• Cultivate skills in ethical research (IRB), recruiting participants for data collection and assisting with data analysis under mentorship
• Enhance understanding of the foundational framework for research using cultural humility
• Receive faculty mentorship and potential opportunities for conference presentations or co-authorship

Training  

To help the student achieve the proposed learning outcomes, I will employ the following training methods:
1. Structured Research Workshops
I will conduct guided workshops on qualitative research methods, including literature review techniques, focus group facilitation, and thematic coding. These sessions will provide foundational knowledge and hands-on practice aligned with ethical research standards and cultural humility.
2. Mentored Data Analysis Sessions
The student will participate in supervised data analysis meetings where we will collaboratively code transcripts, identify themes, and discuss interpretation strategies. This will reinforce learning through real-time feedback and modeling of analytical thinking.
3. Community Engagement Training
I will facilitate introductions and shadowing opportunities with community partners such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Orange County. This will help the student understand culturally responsive outreach and build skills in relationship-building and health promotion.
4. Ethics and IRB Certification Support
I will guide the student through the CITI training process and provide context for ethical research practices, including confidentiality, informed consent, and working with vulnerable populations.
5. Dissemination and Presentation Coaching
As the project progresses, I will mentor the student in preparing research findings for presentations and publications, offering feedback on abstracts, slide design, and public speaking to support professional development and potential co-authorship.

Tasks/Duties  

The intern will demonstrate the learning outcomes by engaging in the following tasks and activities:
1. Conducting Literature Reviews
The intern will compile and summarize peer-reviewed articles and reports related to ADRD, immigrant health, and MENA populations, demonstrating foundational research skills and critical thinking.
2. Developing Recruitment Materials
The intern will assist in creating culturally appropriate outreach tools (e.g., flyers, social media posts), showing an understanding of health communication and community engagement.
3. Supporting Focus Group Implementation
By helping schedule sessions, taking notes, and transcribing recordings, the intern will gain practical experience in qualitative data collection and ethical research practices.
4. Participating in Data Analysis
The intern will engage in supervised coding and thematic analysis of qualitative data, applying learned methods to identify patterns and insights relevant to the study population.
5. Collaborating with Community Partners
Through interactions with the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Orange County, the intern will demonstrate cultural humility and relationship-building skills in a community-based research setting.
6. Engaging in Research Dissemination
The intern will contribute to the development of presentations or manuscripts, showcasing their ability to synthesize findings and communicate research outcomes effectively.
7. Completing IRB/CITI Training
The intern will complete required ethics training and apply those principles throughout the research process, reinforcing their understanding of responsible conduct in research.