The Society of Global Health Researchers in Action (SOGHR) is a student-run not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support of student and early career researchers in the global health sciences. SOGHR's mission is "to enrich and support tomorrow's global health researchers in their quest to become great stewards of the health of our planet." SOGHR is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2006 by students at Colorado State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School. The group began with the idea of providing a stable and long-lasting platform for graduate and entry level researchers in global health and has grown into a multifaceted consortium of young leaders in the physical, social, and medical sciences.
Members of SOGHR undertake critical, forward-thinking research in many fields relevant to global health. Current and past members have pursued studies in international human rights law, public policy, political science, economics, business, education, medicine, biochemistry, biostatistics, demography, community health, epidemiology, engineering, environmental science, and renewable energy. The organization believes that "global health may be interpreted as however a member might see their work as a contribution to the greater good of human and/or environmental health - be it air pollution, malaria, rain forest conservation, refugee crises, or even wildlife protection."
SOGHR's commitment to both philanthropic and academic pursuits has led to partnerships with many notable organizations, including Rotary International, The World Health Organization, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Center for the New Energy Economy, and The Colorado Water Institute. Current projects include synthesizing biofuel from locally grown crops in Afghanistan for use in rural communities, a community service-driven cultural exchange program for American and Ecuadorian high school students, health education and outreach to local middle school students, and an annual symposium commemorating United Nations World Water Day.
SOGHR is led by an executive board and supported by seven targeted committees: Finance, Volunteer, Human Resources, Marketing, Strategic Development, Internal Communications, and University Chapters. Direction for SOGHR’s projects and mission comes from a collaborative decision-making process between the committees and the executive board.
SOGHR is based in Fort Collins, Colorado and supports regional and university chapters in the US and abroad.