A student stirs food in a pot while another student asks questions.

Putting the kitchen to the test

Crystal Hepp looking at a test tube at Frances Short Pond in Flagstaff

Research & Academics

How one NAU researcher studies wastewater to protect Arizonans’ health

With funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services, NAU genomicist Crystal Hepp is sequencing the genomes of viruses that have had substantial public health impacts for Arizona’s kids and adults in recent years. Her research could help Arizona communities prepare for surges in infections and prevent widespread illness.

Humans of NAU: Ramona Mellott

If you had to sum up Ramona Mellott in two words, it would be these: teaching and cakes. As a child in India, she daydreamed of becoming an educator while baking with her mother. As dean of the College of Education, Mellott is known for her compassionate leadership and her delicious cake confections. After 12 years at the helm of the college, Mellott is stepping down to resume teaching in the Department of Educational Psychology—but don’t worry, she’ll never stop bringing dessert to work. Read on to find out when Mellott first came to NAU and where she’s headed this summer.

Woman working with soil next to a composting bin

Research & Academics

Space Farming

What started as a compost project using human stool has turned into an experiment that could open the door for colonizing another planet. Researchers at NAU are simulating the barren soils of Mars and the Moon to turn human waste into resources that will help grow food in space.

Research & Academics

Crystal Hepp looking at a test tube at Frances Short Pond in Flagstaff

How one NAU researcher studies wastewater to protect Arizonans’ health

With funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services, NAU genomicist Crystal Hepp is sequencing the genomes of viruses that have had substantial public health impacts for Arizona’s kids and adults in recent years. Her research could help Arizona communities prepare for surges in infections and prevent widespread illness.

A student stirs food in a pot while another student asks questions.

Putting the kitchen to the test

Students got a career-ready experience last week in a combined class from the College of Health and Human Services. Public health students acted as health inspectors in a restaurants, while Students in the Food is Medicine class cooked dishes in the lab kitchen in the Hotel and Restaurant Management building. The good news: the kitchen and cooks passed inspection, students got a chance to put the skills they've learned to use and everybody got a tasty dinner at the end of the class.

Woman working with soil next to a composting bin

Space Farming

What started as a compost project using human stool has turned into an experiment that could open the door for colonizing another planet. Researchers at NAU are simulating the barren soils of Mars and the Moon to turn human waste into resources that will help grow food in space.

Campus & Community

A woman does schoolwork from a laptop on her couch drinking coffee and petting a husky.

Making college more accessible for online transfer students

Thanks to a partnership with the online community college Campus, students who graduate with an associate’s degree from Campus will see a transfer process at NAU aimed at maximizing credits and minimizing challenges, helping students achieve their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree.

A bright green cannabis safety graphic.

Know the risks: Campus Health’s guide to responsible cannabis use

Avoid self-medicating with alcohol and cannabis this April. Instead, check out these Campus Health resources to help mitigate your stress and complete screenings to evaluate your drug use habits.

Group of employees holding trash bags in front of a Northern Arizona University sign

How to join NAU’s first-ever Spring into Service Challenge

NAU’s Center for Service and Volunteerism is hosting its very first Spring into Service Challenge from April 1-22, bringing to campus some fresh volunteer opportunities, community-enriching events and a recognition party with raffle prizes, food and fun.

Lumberjack Features

Humans of NAU: Ramona Mellott

If you had to sum up Ramona Mellott in two words, it would be these: teaching and cakes. As a child in India, she daydreamed of becoming an educator while baking with her mother. As dean of the College of Education, Mellott is known for her compassionate leadership and her delicious cake confections. After 12 years at the helm of the college, Mellott is stepping down to resume teaching in the Department of Educational Psychology—but don’t worry, she’ll never stop bringing dessert to work. Read on to find out when Mellott first came to NAU and where she’s headed this summer.

Jacks in a Flash: Alexander Shenkin

Alexander Shenkin, an assistant research professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, was named a Henry Arnhold Fellow by the Mulago Foundation. This international fellowship is given to founders who are addressing the problems of climate and poverty in creative, sustainable, scalable ways. Shenkin talked to The NAU Review about his work, SelvaFlux, and the problem he aims to address.

Aaron Kimbrell head shot

Humans of NAU: Aaron Kimbrell

For National Librarians Day! The NAU Review talked to Aaron Kimbrell, the assistant librarian for experiential learning at Cline Library. Find out why his “average day” is never average and what kind of game show he wants to host.