Diné College Scholars

Jessica Begay

"I am Diné (Navajo) and I am from Lukachukai, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. I am pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in Biology. My academic goals include graduating with my master’s degree and then continuing on with research through a Ph.D program in either Microbiology or Molecular & Cellular Biology. The focus of the research I am currently participating in is to identify the types of fungal endophytes found within native plants on the Navajo Nation and the impact of climate change on those fungal communities. In my spare time I like to watch Korean TV dramas or read a book."

Cauy Bia 

"I am from Many Farms, AZ and am a senior majoring in Agriculture and a second year in my master's program in Biology. After my bachelor's I aim to continue my education, focusing on mycology/plant pathology. I hope to one day bring the knowledge gained from my education back to my community. This summer I will be researching I’m analyzing the effects that light exposure has on cocoa tree growth, CO2 emissions, and photosynthesis rates. As well as collecting and analyzing tree samples to identify the endophytes or pathogens associated with the growth and decline of pinon trees. Some of my favorite hobbies include, hiking, camping, fishing. I love collecting CDs and other music memorabilia."

Mikayla S. Bia

"I am from Many farms, Arizona and I am currently a Sophomore majoring in Environmental Engineering. I am from the Navajo Nation. I have an interest in an area that involves water treatment. My academic goals entail graduating with my Associate of Science degree from Dine College and soon after I plan to transfer to a university to continue my education. This summer, I am looking forward to being a new scholar to the BRIDGE to STEAM summer internship. I am helping in sampling of pinon tree, lake sage, and forest sage within the Tsalie, AZ area. Some of my favorite personal hobbies include spending time with loved ones, cooking, traveling to new places, being outdoors, working with livestock such as my cows."

Josephine Bitsui

Josephine is from Chinle, Arizona. She is a sophomore studying Public Health. A career goal of hers is to become a counselor at a local reservation high school, and her hobbies include dancing. Her summer research focused on the difference between treated areas and non-treated areas in sage. 

Clarene Davis 

"I am from Many Farms, Arizona and am a junior majoring in Agriculture. My academic goals entail gaining a higher understanding of how Indigenous communities, particularly the Navajo Nation, engage with and address environmental challenges. I also plan on refining my skills in RStudio, QGIS, and Canvas Draw while contributing to important causes related to Indigenous rights and environmental issues. My career goals are centered on advancing Indigenous rights and tackling environmental issues that disproportionately affect tribal communities. Additionally, I aspire to work with the EPA and tribal governments to improve air and water quality, ensuring that environmental policies and practices support the well-being of tribal communities. This summer, I’m studying fungal endophytes in plants on the Navajo Nation, hoping to find out how these fungi can improve plant growth and sustainability which could benefit local farming and ecosystem management."

Jackie Frank

"I am from Dilkon, AZ and am a Sophomore majoring in Agricultural Science. This summer my research will be based on endophytes in plants. My overall career goals entail learning as much as possible from my college experience and develop a workflow and work ethic during this research experience in hopes to take advantage of every opportunity to set myself up for a bright future. Some of my favorite hobbies include running, hiking, climbing, biking and working with a few Navajo cultural arts. "

Adrianne Garza

"I am from Kayenta, Az and am currently a Sophomore, majoring in AAEE, Education. My academic goals include finishing my undergrad program, pursue a job in my field of interest and potentially enroll in grad school. This summer I will be researching piñon trees, juniper trees, sage and even Navajo tea at the Land Grant Office. My overall career goal is to teach around the NN Rez and continue to do my own research. Some of my favorite hobbies entail reading, writing (poetry, songs, etc.) and hiking, playing guitar, and exercising!"

Sedona Jacobson

“I am from Fort Defiance, Arizona and I am a Junior majoring in Agroecology/ Plant Emphasis. My academic goal includes being the first generation in my family to graduate from university in hopes to prioritize school gardens throughout my career. This summer, my research will entail Pinon Trees and Native plants. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, traveling and cooking.”

Leighanna Jake

“I am from Shiprock, NM and a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt studying Ecology. My academic goals entail participating in graduate research, conference presentations, receive scholarships, and be involved in a long-term research project. After my bachelor’s I aim to attend Graduate school for plant science and conduct international research as well as tribal conservation/ preservation work. A few hobbies include reading, shopping, gardening, and hiking."

Baahozohnii Bah Largo

"I am Salt Clan, born for Towering House Clan, and come from Casamero Lake, New Mexico. I am a fourth year student in Art History and Pre-law at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  My academic goals are to complete my BA in Art History, earn a JD (Indian Law concentration), maybe a PhD in Art History (emphasis on southwestern native ceramics), as well as becoming fluent in the Navajo language. Down the line, I hope to work in the art field and start an animal rescue. This summer I will be utilizing pre-established methods and procedures to sample and process Navajo tea, sagebrush, and miscellaneous tree cores. Some of my favorite hobbies include horseback riding, skateboarding and volunteer work."

Marissa Mares

Hello, my name is Marissa, I am Navajo and Mexican American, I am from Shiprock, New Mexico. I am pursing my masters of science in biology with Dr. Skaltsas. I am researching the effects of abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation. In my previous study I measured levels of uranium found within the tissues of various species of plants, my findings showed that Artemisia tridentata (sage) had the lowest levels of uranium, whereas in the same sampling location the results showed that Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine) had the highest levels of uranium. L. argenteus is in the legume family and has nitrogen fixing nodes on the roots, I hypothesize that this relationship might be contributing to the uptake of uranium. Currently, my study is investigating A. tridentata and L. argenteus for their fungal communities and comparing this data to my previous study to gain a deeper understanding of how changing concentrations of uranium affect the fungal communities found in these two species and how they uptake uranium. I hope that this information can contribute in a meaningful way to the conversation of phytoremediation of uranium. My career aspirations include pursing my doctorate at NYU and hopefully one day running my own research. 

Daelyn Mary Nez

"I am from Indian Wells, AZ. I am a junior at the University of Arizona. My academic goals include earning my bachelor's degree in animal science with a pre-professional emphasis, after which I would like to pursue a doctorate in veterinarian medicine. This summer, I will be studying fungal endophytes, working with Pinon trees, Sage, Navajo Tea, and other native plants on the Navajo Nation. My overall career goal is to practice veterinary medicine on the Navajo Nation. For generations, my family's livelihood has been centered around animals, and it still is. I want to continue serving my community and promote their way of life. Outside of academics, I enjoy riding horses, roping with my family, and playing the flute."

Kayla Thomas

Kayla is from Navajo Nation. She is a junior studying Biomedical Sciences with the goal of excelling in all her classes and graduating with her bachelor's degree. Her summer research focused on endophytes on trees within the area of Diné College. Her career goals include being a part of the healthcare industry. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys competing in rodeos and has recently discovered an obsession with pho. 

TyHanin Tsosie

"I am from Shonto, Arizona and a junior majoring in Environmental Science. My academic goals include bringing my knowledge back to the Navajo nation in hopes for a green and eco friendly future. My research this summer entails, Our local plants and trees endophytes, sampling them and taking them to a lab to study them."

Nicole Vann

"My name is Nicole Vann, I am currently a junior at the University of Arizona studying Environmental Science. I am very passionate about helping my community and plan to come back to my hometown of Chinle or the Navajo reservation after college to provide aid to uranium mines or help everyone attain running water. My motivation for helping my community stems from my experience working with Chinle Planting Hope where I collaborate with a group of volunteers to provide resources and nutritious food to reservations struggling with food insecurity, and constantly encourage people to participate in our efforts. Similarly, a lot of my hobbies outside of school consist of volunteering, getting in shape, and spending quality time with my mom."

Kyra Warren

"I am from Dennehotso, Arizona and a Sophomore majoring in Biology. My academic goals entail earning my bachelor's degree and furthering my education in Veterinary school in hopes to one day open my own Veterinary clinic in my community. This summer I will be researching piñon trees, juniper trees, sage, and Navajo tea at the Land Grant Office. Some of my favorite hobbies include reading, being outdoors, and spending time with loved ones."

Leila Yazzie

"I am Diné (Navajo) and I am from Saint Michaels, Arizona. I'm a junior majoring in Biology and I recently graduated with my associate's degree in Environmental Science. My academic goals include graduating with a Bachelor's in Biology with a high GPA. The research I am participating in focuses on endophytes in sagebrush."

Darrell Yazzie Jr.

"My name is Darrell Yazzie Jr. and I'm from Klagetoh, Arizona. I am pursing my Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis on Plants. My academic goal is to complete a Master's Degree, as this will be a personal stepping stone as I will be the first in my immediate family to have reached a Master's Degree. My research is to determine which fungi are in a symbiotic relation with a species of tall and short sage in the Fort Defiance agency, then to determine if any found have been identified or if there are new fungi that will be the first to be found."

Chantal Bluehorse

"I'm from Shiprock, New Mexico, and I'm a junior majoring in Life. My academic goals entail graduating with my Bachelor's and moving on to graduate school to continue on to my Ph.D in Microbiology. This summer, my summer research revolves around fungal endophytes. Outside of academia I enjoy cooking and trying new foods, as well as hiking."

Takeshi Brown

"I am from the Navajo Nation and am a Freshman majoring in Biology. My academic goals entail earning a Doctorate and apply my knowledge to become a veterinarian. This summer I will be researching living behaviors and the species type of an endophyte. Some of my favorite hobbies include skating, reading a cool book, drinking coffee/soda, and taking bike rides."

Valeria Icaza

"My name is Valeria Icaza, I was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to the United States to go to college. I am a senior undergraduate student, completing a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. My experience in the university laboratory research field has brought my attention to study and investigation involving microbial and fungal pathogens and their molecular analysis. After college, I plan on attending graduate school to pursue a PhD in Genetics. Coming from a culturally diverse background, I have been able to see real life problems at a worldwide level, that are concerning in the health field. I want to take part in helping them through my research as well as bridge knowledge gaps in scientific research."

Allyssa Joe

"My name is Alyssa Joe, I am currently a senior at the University of Arizona studying biology, while also participating in the Neuroscience GID program. I am very passionate about studying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) since I have experienced firsthand the challenges that growing up with this disorder can have when teachers are not experienced or prepared to handle a student in these circumstances. In the future, I hope to be able to connect with others who share similar struggles and design a mice model that can replicate for ADHD research. Having a colorful mindset is never a weakness and I am proud of how I have always found a way to achieve my goals even when I was told they were impossible. The challenges with my ADHD and my background as a Navajo motivate me to complete my education as a biomedical scientist, and I am excited about the opportunity to do that as a new student at the University of Arizona."

Lacey Lynn Sandoval

“I am from Saint Michaels, Arizona and I am currently a Senior majoring in Public Health. My academic goals entail strengthening my understanding of public health principles and foundational concepts while integrating STEM knowledge and advancements to advocate and promote optimal health for tribal communities. My overall career goal is to positively impact the health of my home community of the Navajo Nation as a Public Health Nurse. Outside of academia, I enjoy hiking, exercising, cooking new recipes, reading contemporary fiction novels, and watching true crime documentaries.”

Megan Yazzie

"Megan is from Oak Springs, AZ, and is a senior majoring in Public Health. Her academic goals include furthering her education by applying for graduate school at the University of Arizona to receive her master's degree in Public Health. She would also like to continue doing research both on and off the Navajo reservation all while helping and serving Native and Indigenous communities. In the previous summer, she helped with research of endophytes in Pinon Trees and Sagebrush within the campus of Dine College on the Navajo reservation. Some of her favorite hobbies include photography, painting, traveling, and attending concerts."