Integrating Western and indigenous sciences 
in wildlife conservation

Professional background

 I am a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in biology and a  Research Associate in the Department of Wildlife at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA.   In collaboration with Redwood National Park and the Yurok Tribe, I am conducting research on elk habitat ecology through Yurok Traditional Ecological Knowledge and elk molecular scatology.  
I have published works on the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel in Arizona, Yurok Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and culturally sensitive wildlife research. Current and upcoming manuscripts focus on a wildlife survey on Yurok ancestral lands via scat genetic analyses and the Yurok-wildlife relationship. 

Over the past 10 years, I have delivered presentations and workshops on topics such as Western and Indigenous scientific philosophies, history of the Wildlife profession in parallel with Indian Country, wildlife scat surveys, wildlife habitat monitoring, and culturally sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge research in wildlife conservation.
In my science outreach program, I work with elementary education, higher education, and the public.  I have also taught courses such as Introductory Biology Lab and Case Studies in Environmental Ethics. 
Picture
Photo credit: Kellie Brown

ABOUT ME

I am Yurok (tribal member), Karuk and Chicana.  My expertise lies in the integration of Western and Indigenous sciences in applied wildlife research.  With an emphasis on Traditional Ecological Knowledge through an Indigenous lens, I aim to conduct culturally sensitive research with Indigenous communities.  

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Professional Activities

Native Peoples
​Wildlife Management Working Group 

I have been a member of the 
Native Peoples' Wildlife ​
​Management Working Group
of The Wildlife Society since 2007. 
​I currently serve on the Native Student Professional Development Program Committee for the working group.

Yurok language

Since 2017, I have been a Teacher Candidate in the Yurok Tribe Language Program's Kee Laa-yo-lue-mehl ("They will teach") program.  With the help of the program staff and fellow teacher candidates, I have  passed assessments for  Yurok levels I and II.  I am now qualified to teach at those levels.  My speaking and writing skills continue to improve as I work toward level III.   

Native American
​Advisory Council

I have served on the
President's Native American
Advisory Council at
Humboldt State University
​since 2016.  

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Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this site are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation