“Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” - Mae Jemison
Kweh (Hello)! I am a first-generation academic, the first scientist in my family, and a Tribal Member of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. I am committed to improving intersectional diversity in STEM in the fields of fisheries and evolutionary biology.
I am a faculty member of the NSF-funded program at UAF, Tamamta, aimed to increase Native representation and Indigenous knowledge in the fields of fisheries and marine science, in Alaska and beyond.
My lab and my classroom are safe spaces.
I actively seek resources about diversity issues in STEM to learn how to combat bias, promote social equality, and build inclusivity. I work to help make STEM and the field of fisheries more inclusive, intersectional and welcoming to everyone. I am always willing to have a conversation with you about these issues.
A lack of diversity in the field of Fisheries is a big problem. Diversity in the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is low compared to the STEM workforce and other scientific societies, like the Ecological Society of America (ESA). Other issues of intersectional diversity remain even less addressed.
Figure from Penaluna et al. 2017. Nine Proposed Action Areas to Enhance Diversity and Inclusion in the American Fisheries Society.
The Case for Diversity in STEM
Diversity in STEM: What It Is and Why It Matters - Scientific American
Help that Hurts Women - Inside Higher Ed
Resources for Applying to Graduate School
Pathways to Science Student Toolkit
UC Berkeley Guide to Preparing for Graduate School
Applying to Graduate School in Biology - Yale Biology Professor Casey Dunn
List of Scholarships and Fellowships
The Tamamta Fellowship at UAF CFOS For Indigenous students and allies dedicated to transforming fisheries science and management.
AISES: American Indian Science and Engineering Society
National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Ford Foundation Fellowships (pre-doctoral and dissertation)
NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship
NOAA EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program Scholarships & internships for undergraduates studying at Minority Serving Institutions (including UAF)
Ben Barres Fellowship For professional development of trans, intersex, and non-binary graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the fields of science
RAY Conservation Fellowship Two-year paid fellowship for recent college graduates in the conservation sector
The Gates Scholarship For BIPOC high school seniors planning to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university
UAF Nanook Brotherhood Scholarship For UAF undergraduate students of all backgrounds who support diversity, inclusion and equity in relation to social justice and are committed to academic excellence
American Institute of Biological Sciences Diversity Outreach Directory List of several organizations and diversity programs in science
Resources at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
Nanook Diversity and Action Center
UAF Department of Equity and Compliance
UAF International Students Admissions
UAF Demographics from College Factual
UAF Admissions (Should you apply to join my lab, please chat to me about fee waivers)