Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and College of Idaho (C of I) have been awarded an NIH grant through Idaho INBRE to develop an innovative program for NNU’s first-year wellness and genetics courses. The grant, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), includes $41,443 for NNU and $17,528 for C of I.
Led by NNU faculty Dr. Ben Gall and Dr. Jennifer Chase, alongside C of I’s Dr. Luke Daniels, the project will integrate student-designed microbiome research into coursework at both institutions, exploring the relationship between gut health and mental well-being—an emerging area of scientific study known as the gut-brain axis. A primary focus of this grant is embedding a research component into NNU’s general education program through a new course titled Psychological Foundations of Whole-Body Wellness. Since all students will be required to take this course and its accompanying lab, every NNU student, regardless of major, will gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing research and interpreting results—a unique opportunity in a general education curriculum.
The connection between the gut microbiome and both physical and mental health is a relatively new area of research, and this project allows NNU students to contribute to the growing body of knowledge. This collaboration also strengthens ties between NNU, C of I, and Idaho INBRE while equipping students with valuable, research-based learning experiences.
