Native American students are keenly interested in developing relevant solutions to the pressing environmental health issues that are disproportionately experienced by their communities. They aspire to contribute to studies that seek to investigate environmental contaminants and their impact on health. The Ingram lab provides a setting for Native American students to gain training in chemistry research on projects that are of importance to Native American communities. A major part of this research is focused on characterizing mine-related contamination in water, soil, plants and livestock. A critical aspect of the research is to foster collaborations with the Native American communities and tribal leaders to build trust, obtain access to field samples, and gain insights into their health concerns. These collaborations are often initiated by the Native American students because they and their families are community members. The approach the Ingram lab has taken is to engage Native American students from middle school to doctoral levels and focus on the interests of the students. For example, if a student has an interest in water contamination, then they work on projects characterizing water samples. Often, students come with ideas for projects that are based on concerns from their communities. These ideas are woven into the larger overall goal of environmental health studies from the Ingram lab. Dr. Ingram is a member of the Navajo Nation (born to the Náneesht’ ézhi clan) and provides a Native American approach to the research and training. She takes a collaborative approach to research involving students and other faculty from many disciplines as well as a variety of institutions. This presentation will highlight the science as well as her students’ accomplishments.

<b>Award Address </b>(ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences sponsored by The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.). Engaging Native American students in environmental health studies on contaminated lands

255th National Meeting (2018)

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Award Address (ACS Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences sponsored by The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.). Engaging Native American students in environmental health studies on contaminated lands