The Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) was established as a Research Consortium in 2002 by an award from the National Institute on Drug Abuuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) designated SIRC as an ABOR Center in 2004.  In October 2007 SIRC became the recipient of a research center award from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) of the NIH.  The award established SIRC as a national Exploratory Center of Excellence on minority health and health disparities.

SIRC is a reality due to the ongoing support of our funding sponsors and the encouragement we receive from many of you. We would like to thank specifically:

• The National Institute of Health/National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities for selecting SIRC as a Center of Excellence.
• The staff of the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse for their support and confidence.
• The members of SIRC Community Advisory Board whose help in securing the grant and ongoing feedback has been invaluable. We look forward to a long lasting partnership with each and every school and agency you represent.
• The ASU Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice-Provost for Research and Economic Affairs, the College of Public Programs, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Social Work, and the Department of Sociology, for their extensive and ongoing support.
• The faculty, administration, and staff of the School of Social Work for their enthusiasm and dedication to the SIRC idea.
• The faculty of the Department of Sociology for engaging in true interdisciplinary collaboration.
• The graduate students, undergraduate students, and SIRC staff that make our work possible.

Flavio F. Marsiglia, Ph.D.,
SIRC Director
Distinguished Foundation Professor of Cultural Diversity and Health

click here for Dr. Flavio F. Marsiglia's curriculum vitae: