Peacehealth Laboratories

The Oregon Center Applied Science, Inc ( ORCAS ), combines scientific knowledge with technological innovation to create viable products that address real-world problems in public health and education. ORCAS was formed in 1989 by Dennis Ary and John Noell, two research scientists with a dream that data could jump off the pages of scientific journals and fall into the hands of ordinary people in the form of tools and products that could enhance quality of life. Ary and Noell realized the potential of marrying scientific research with quality multimedia delivery, and today our mission remains true to this original vision: Research, Innovation, Results. Since it was founded, the company has developed a wide range of interactive multimedia programs that blend empirically sound principles of behavior change and instructional design with state-of-the-art use of video and gaming technology. The quality of ORCAS' programs is nationally recognized with over 50 awards from groups including Summit, Telly, Communicator, and Horizon Interactive, that acknowledge both the educational impact and the high production values of our interactive video approach. Our programs address such topic areas as smoking cessation, dealing with dementia as a professional or family caregiver, bicycle safety for children K-3, and parenting at-risk adolescents. Each science team is led by a Principal Investigator whose area of expertise is supported by a cadre of motivated and experienced researchers and technicians dedicated to creating effective and engaging products that can make a difference in people's lives. ORCAS has assembled a unique team of experts in health-behavior change, health education, instructional design, interactive multimedia technology, preventive and behavioral medicine, research methodology, biostatistics, and psychometrics. ORCAS conducts 10-20 concurrent projects that are supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health ( NCI, NHLBI, NINR, NIA, NICHHD, NIMH, NIDA ) and contracts with private industry. To ensure positive health and educational outcomes, all ORCAS products are clinically tested in carefully designed field trials. We are an innovative company with great career opportunities for creative, hard-working people who wish to apply their talents to the business of making the world a better place.