This professional seminar series invites Native scientists, engineers, activists, community members and leaders to share their personal and professional journeys, providing inspiration to the next generation of change makers.
Join us in Spring 2023 for seminars co-sponsored by the Department of Biosystems Engineering, the UArizona-Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership, the Water Resources Research Center, the NSF-NRT Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty, and the Indigenous Resilience Center.
Native Voices in STEM Spring 2023
Watch the recordings on our Library page. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Andrea Carter (Powhatan Renape)
"Rooted in the Desert – Farming and Seed Saving in Arid Lands "
February 1, 2023 @ 12:00-1:00 MST

Ruth Plenty Sweetgrass-She Kills
"Food Sovereignty for the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara People"
March 1, 2023 @ 12:00-1:00 MST

Staci Emm & Reginald Premo
"Title TBD'"
April 5, 2023 @ 12:00-1:00 MST (also PDT at this time of year)

Chantel Harrison (Diné) & Jaymus Lee (Diné)
“Community engaged Indigenous hydroponics and greenhouse project”
May 3, 2023 @ 12:00-1:00 MST (also PDT at this time of year)
For more information or questions, contact Indige-FEWSS@email.arizona.edu or Cara Duncan Shopa at caraduncan@arizona.edu.
Native Voices in STEM Fall 2022
Watch the recordings on our Library page. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Thank you Dr. Ryan Emanuel (Lumbee)
"Environmental Justice and Indigenous Rights in Eastern North Carolina"
August 31, 2022 @ 12:00-1:00 PDT (also MST at this time of year)

Thank You Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie (Diné)
"Collaborative Hydrology Research with the Navajo Nation"
September 28, 2022 @ 12:00-1:00 PDT (also MST at this time of year)
Watch the Recording from Our Library

Thank You Dr. Melissa Clutter (Cherokee)
"Groundwater to Snow Science: My Research and Teaching Path to Becoming a 'Jack(lyn)- Of-All-Trades'"
October 26, 2022 @ 12:00-1:00 PDT (also MST at this time of year)

Thank You Dr. Kato Dee (Diné)
“An Indigenous Hydrogeochemists Career Trajectory through Academia and Industry”
November 30, 2022 @ 12:00-1:00 MST
Watch the Recording from Our Library

Thank you, Dr. Ranalda Tsosie
January 24, 2022
"Utilizing Diné Science and Innovation to tackle long-standing water challenges in Diné communities"
Ranalda Tsosie (Diné)

Thank you, Dr. Cherie DeVore
February 14, 2022
"Mining and wildfire driven changes alter metals mobilization: Restorative and mechanistic insights"
Dr. Cherie DeVore (Diné)

Thank you, Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben (Oglala Lakota)
March 14, 2022
"Wastewater-based epidemiology in tribal communities"

Thank you, Dr. Tommy Rock (Diné)
April 11, 2022
"Environmental Justice"
September 13, 2021
Dr. Gregory Cajete (Tewa)
October 18, 2021
Dr. Melissa Arcand (Muskeg Lake Cree)
November 15, 2021
Dr. Danielle Ignace (Coeur d'Alene)
Rescheduled for Fall 2022
Joshua Moore (Diné)
Fall 2021 - ENVS Colloquium
Visit the ENVS Colloquium page for more information!
The Environmental Science Colloquium is hosted in-person for departmental students and affiliates. Please join us monthly for the Native Voices in STEAM co-sponsored seminar.
Upcoming presentations:
- August 23: Welcome Back & Introductions (Paul Carini, PhD, University of Arizona)
- August 30: All ENVS Graduate Meeting
- September 6: Labor Day - no classes
- September 13: Native Voices in STEM presents Dr. Gregory Cajete (Tewa)
- September 20: Environmental Protection, Mitigation, Experiences, and Job Opportunities from U of A Alumnus (Barney Popkin, Tucson, Arizona)
- September 27: Introduction to Data Visualization (Devin Bayly, PhD, & Jeff Oliver, PhD, University of Arizona)
- October 4: Effects of Drought on Soil Microbes (Sarah Evans, Michigan State University)
- October 11: TBD (Priyanka Kushawa, PhD, University of Arizona)
- October 18: Native Voices in STEM presents Dr. Melissa Arcand (Muskeg Lake Cree)
- October 25: TBD (Jennifer Biddle. PhD, University of Delaware)
- November 1: Soil Microbial Responses to Moisture Using Trace Gases and Integrative Omics (Laura Meredith, PhD, University of Arizona)
- November 8: Fire Effects on Soil Microbes (Thea Whitman, PhD, University of Wisconsin)
- November 15: Native Voices in STEM presents Dr. Danielle Ignace (Coeur d'Alene)
- November 22: ENVS Undergraduate Presentations
- November 29: Drinking Water Microbiome (Ameet Pinto, PhD, Georgia Tech)
- December 6: Native Voices in STEM presents Joshua Moore
Jeff Fehmi | Professor Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona | SNRE Seminar Series
John Cooley | Director Arizona Game and Fish Department Non-Bird Wildlife Repository | SNRE Seminar Series
Michael Kotutwa Johnson, Hopi | Native American Agriculture Fund| Native Voices in STEM
Gloria Tom, Navajo | Director, Navajo Nation Dept of Fish and Wildlife | SNRE Seminar Series
Benedict Colombi | American Indian Studies, University of Arizona | SNRE Seminar Series
Serra Hoaglund | Liaison Officer, US Fish and Wildlife Service | SNRE Seminar Series
Daniel Wildcat, Yuchi of Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma | Professor, Haskell Indian Nations University | Native Voices in STEM Series
Karletta Chief, Diné | Associate Professor and Extension Specialist | SNRE Seminar Series
Robert Mesta, Yaqui | Director, Liberty Wildlife Non-Eagle Feather Respository | SNRE Seminar Series
Emma Robbins, Navajo | DigDeep Navajo Water Project | Native Voices in Stem Series
Carrie Canon, Kiowa | Hualapai Ethnobotanist | SNRE Seminar Series
Althea Walker, Nez Perce, Hopi, and Gila River | Tribal Climate Adaptation Science Liaison for Higher Education | SNRE Seminar Series
Kelsey John Dale | American Indian Studies, University of Arizona | SNRE Seminar Series
Selso Villegas, Tohono O'odham | Tohono O'odham Nation Water Resources | Native Voices in Stem Series
Gary Morishima, Quinault | Quinault Management Center, Quinault Indian Nation Liaison Officer | SNRE Seminar Series
September 16, 2020
Joseph Brewer, Cherokee & Oglala Lakota | University of Kansas
October 21, 2020
Andrew Curley, Navajo | University of Arizona
November 18, 2020
Kim Tallbear, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate | University of Alberta
December 2, 2020
Nonabah Lane, Navajo | Navajo Ethno-Agriculture
February 5, 2020
Dr. Tommy Jones | Department of Energy, Office of Indian Energy
February 21, 2020, Alumni Lunch Series
Dr. Peter Littlehat | Environmental Engineer with Indian Health Services
March 4, 2020
Mr. James Calabaza | Trees Water & People National Program Coordinator
March 19, 2020, Alumni Lunch Series
Dr. Joseph Brewer | Environmental Studies Faculty and Director of Indigenous Studies, University of Kansas
April 1, 2020
Dr. Suzanne Singer | Co-founder, Native Renewables
April 28, 2020, Alumni Lunch Series
Dr. Casey Thornbrugh | Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Tribal Climate Science Liaison
May 6, 2020
Dr. Martin Ahumada | President, San Carlos Apache College
September 3, 2019
Dr. Len Necefer | Assistant Professor, UA American Indian Studies program and the Udall Center for Public Policy
October 22, 2019
Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben | Assistant Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Build Environment at Arizona State University
November 7, 2019
Dr. Carrie Nuva Joseph | Postdoctoral Scholar, UArizona Center for Indigenous and Environmental Health Research
January 16, 2019
"A Navajo Engineer's Perspective on Walking in Beauty on an Every-changing Path"
Sandra Begay | Sandia National Laboratories
February 13, 2019
"Food-energy-water challenges in a solar & wind powered, off-grid school"
Mark Sorensen | Star School
March 13, 2019
"Conducting Business in Indian County"
Joan Timeche | Native Nations Institute, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy
April 17, 2019
"Prioritization of Water Infrastructure Investments on the Navajo Nation"
Ronson Chee | Riley Engineering
September 12, 2018
Christopher Scott | Director at Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy; Professor at the School of Geography & Development, University Distinguished Scholar
October 10, 2018
James C. Hopkins | Assistant Clinical Professor, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program; Affiliated Professor of American Indian Studies & Latin American Studies
November 7, 2018
Trent Teegerstrom | Associate Director for Tribal Extension Programs; Extension Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
December 5, 2018
Joy Hought | Executive Director, Native Seeds/SEARCH
February 12, 2018
"Resource Use Efficient Controlled Environment Agriculture Systems"
Dr. Murat Kacira | Dept. Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
March 12, 2018
"Algae for Treatment of Wastewater"
Dr. Kimberly Ogden | Dept. Chemical & Environmental Engineering
April 9, 2018
"Uranium in Navajo Nation Ground; Waters: Finding an Affordable Solution"
Chris Yazzie & Dr. Robert Arnold | Dept. Chemical & Environmental Engineering
May 14, 2018
"Organic Semiconductors: A Flexible Solution to Solar Energy Conversion"
Dr. Erin Ratcliff | Dept. Material Science & Engineering