Recipients of NAU's Native American Research Awards program recently gathered to receive program certificates. From left, Sean Carr, Chase Voirin, Cristal Gomez, Kayleen Wilson and Kelly Saganey. Not pictured is Charmayme Sandoval.

Program offers hands-on
research for Native undergrads

Yaqui sophomore Cristal Gomez wants to be a doctor, or maybe a medical researcher, and a Native American Research Award is helping her decide.

Gomez is getting hands-on experience by the side of mentor Jani Ingram, an associate professor in chemistry and biochemistry at NAU, who also directs the Native American Student Research Awards program.

The awards program matches research mentors with freshman Native students aspiring to work in health-related professions and environmental scientific research. Students work with mentors for about 15 months, including two summers and two academic years, to experience and conduct research.

Ingram and Gomez are researching the effects of uranium exposure on the Navajo Nation.

"This program opens the door to many options and helps me stay motivated," Gomez said. "I like working in the field or in a lab."

The awards program helps retain Native students and is open to about six students a year. "In the last two years we've received about 20 applications for about six positions," Ingram said. "We want to stimulate student interest in research by having students work with a faculty mentor in research areas that could result in students pursuing health or environmental science professions."

Supported by an Ottens Undergraduate Research Grant for Native Americans in Health and Environmental Sciences from the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation, the program provides students up to $8,000 each to assist with college expenses. Students receive additional support through career counseling provided by NAU's Native Student Services.