Resilient Engagement for Advancing Community Health
(REACH)
The REACH Project aims to assess community needs and enhance resilience by engaging local stakeholder using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. This initiative focuses on understanding social, environmental, economic, and infrastructural challenges that affect community wellbeing.
Research Objectives
- Identify key challenges impacting community resilience in Southeast Texas.
- Engage community stakeholders (government, businesses, health professionals, educators, engineers, and cultural leaders).
- Conduct a "Community Needs Assessment" using surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
- Develop actionable recommendations for improving community well-being and preparedness.
- Establish long-term partnerships for continued community developments efforts.
Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
Senior-Level Research, More Independent, Experience In Grant Work
- Leadership in Research Activities:
- Takes the lead on specific components, such as advanced data analysis, policy recommendations, or technical aspects (e.g., GIS, modeling)
- May oversee a sub-project within the larger grant.
- Project & Team Management:
- Supervises research assistants, students, or junior team members.
- May coordinate with external partners, agencies, or community stakeholders.
- Grant Compliance & Reporting:
- Assists with high-level grant reporting, compliance, and meeting funding agency expectations.
- Publications & Dissemination:
- Leads mansucript writing, conference presentations, or policy briefs.
- Works with the PI to ensure research outputs meet funder and academic expectations.
- Independent Work &Decision-Making
- Operates with autonomy under the PI's overall guidance.
- Expected to contribute significantly ot intellectual leadership in the project.
Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Early-Career Research, Works Under Mentorship
- Research Support & Execution:
- Conducts literature reviews, data collection, or preliminary analysis.
- Assists with fieldwork, surveys, or GIS-related task under senior supervision.
- Technical & Administrative Assistance:
- Supports grant documentation, compliance tracking, and logistics.
- Helps manage datasets and coordinates data cleaning efforts.
- Limited Supervisory Role:
- May mentor undergraduate students or research assistants but does not have major managerial responsibilities.
- Assistance with Dissemination:
- Co-author papers and reports but may not take the lead on publications.
- Assists with conference preparations or community presentations.
- Guided Learning & Professional Growth:
- Works closely with Senior Fellows, Co-PIs, and PI for mentorship.
- Gains experience in grant writing and project management.
Junior Faculty with Research Stipend
Assist, Execution Project, Under Supervision Of Senior And Junior Researcher
- Literature Review Specialist
- Conducts a review of government/community reports.
- Summarizes key findings relevant to your research.
- Prepares a synthesis document for the research team.
- Workshop Organizer
- Coordinates event logistics, speakers, and outreach.
- Develops workshops materials and collects participant feedback.
- Data Coding & Analysis Support
- Assists with qualitative coding of survey responses.
- Conduct preliminary analysis and provides summary findings.
Team Members
Social, Human, & Culture
Janeal White (JRF, Nutrition, Hospitality, and Human Services)
jmnielsen@lamar.edu
Kirstie Boyett (JRF, Criminal Justice)
klboyett@lamar.edu
PI: Primary Investigator
SRF: Senior Research Fellow
JRFP: Junior Research Fellow