Integrating Western and indigenous sciences
in wildlife conservation
Integrating Western and indigenous sciences
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.
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Photo credit: Kellie Brown
ABOUT MEI 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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April 2021 workshop
Professional Activities
Native Peoples
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Yurok languageSince 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.
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Native American
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