August 2024

Welcome to the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center - SIRC.

As I reflect on the last few years, I am immensely proud of how SIRC navigated the complexities of the recent times. Amidst the uncertainties and challenges of the pandemic, SIRC’s dedication to advancing health equity and addressing critical health disparities in Arizona through evidence-based research never wavered. Community engagement remains at the heart of our mission. We rely on our trusted Community Advisory Board members and other partners to support our local community.  SIRC’s achievements, guided by our strategic plan, exemplify our collective determination. Our research, evaluation, training, and technical assistance efforts have advanced critical issues including health literacy, COVID-19 testing and vaccination access, youth substance use, diabetes prevention, homelessness, refugee health, opioid overdose prevention and treatment, HIV and hepatitis C surveillance, and child abuse and neglect. Our continued success in forging trusted community partnerships and acquiring federal and local funding for this work has been instrumental in driving our projects and impact forward.

Integral to SIRC’s excellence in community-based health disparities research are three of SIRC’s offices, the Office of Research, directed by Dr. Stephanie Ayers, the Office of Evaluation and Partner Contracts, directed by Dr. Maria Aguilar-Amaya, and the Office of Refugee Health, directed by Dr. Karin Wachter., as well as SIRC’s Opioid Initiatives, led by Dr. Natasha Mendoza. 

Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism about the future of SIRC. Our strategic plan continues to guide us as we strive towards eliminating health disparities and promoting greater equity not only in the Southwest but beyond. Together, we will navigate future challenges with the same determination and resilience that define our collective spirit.

I hope that you visit the SIRC website often and that you will share the vision and excitement that motivates our work. We encourage you to contact us and welcome your opinions and participation as we continue to build a strong research center that generates impactful solutions to health disparities in the Southwest and beyond.

With optimism and gratitude,

Sabrina Oesterle, Director, Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center