Although I grew up in Houston, I consider Torreon, N.M., in the Eastern Agency of the Navajo Nation, home. I spent much of my childhood in that remote rural area, playing on —and learning from — the land. It’s why I want to become a principal investigator and start my own microbiology lab on the Navajo Reservation: I want to take care of the land. After a nontraditional academic journey, I’m now a graduate student at Harvard University studying bacterial genetics, and I finally feel like I know where I’m going.
When I was growing up, my parents placed a high importance on education and returning to our community to share what we learned. My father taught me to be self-motivated and work hard. My mother spoke to us in Navajo and instilled the importance of learning about our Diné culture. My older sister was the first person in my immediate family to graduate from a four-year university and inspired me to do the same. I have been incredibly lucky to have the support of my family.
My initial high school experience was unique in that I attended a school where students could earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree. It was academically rigorous and an amazing opportunity, but I was not ready for it then. I graduated from a different high school in Houston.
I knew that I wanted to experience a tribal college, and I was accepted to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, N.M. I planned to become an optometrist, but after working in the field during my courses, I realized I was not as passionate about vision care as I had thought. Instead, I thought my dream was to become a middle school English teacher.
After leaving SIPI I enrolled in the English program at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Although I did well, I was discouraged by the financial insecurity. I felt lost and disappointed in myself for not finishing anything. After additional reflection, I decided to pursue a nursing certificate as both my parents worked in health care, and I had always had a desire to care for people.
I was excited to find Navajo Technical University, where I completed the nursing certificate program and decided to get a BSN. One of the BSN prerequisites is biology. There, in Dr. Godwin Ifere’s class, I was exposed to the wonderful world of science and research. Under his mentorship I participated in research experiences and internships, and my love for science grew.
After receiving my BS in biology at Navajo Tech, I participated in a program at Harvard University in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This was my first experience learning how to design and implement my own research experiments. My time in the program helped solidify my desire to pursue academic research.
I’m now in my second year of a two-year Research Scholar Initiative (RSI) program at Harvard. In this program, research scholars work with a faculty member as a research assistant and participate in professional development seminars and graduate-level coursework to prepare for doctoral studies. I am currently studying bacterial genetics in the Bernhardt Lab at the Harvard Medical School Department of Microbiology.
While I feel like my life is on a solid path now, the way has not always been clear or easy. I struggle with missing my friends and family back home. I also deal with imposter syndrome and the pressure of being affiliated with an Ivy League school as an underrepresented minority. Fortunately, there are Native groups such as AISES and the Harvard University Native American Program that have helped me feel closer to other Indigenous people and connected with my roots even while pursuing studies in Western science.
My academic journey has had detours, and I am proud of myself for never giving up. My persistence has gotten me this far, and continuing to show up for myself has always paid off. By providing representation as an Afro-Indigenous woman in STEM, I hope to inspire other young students — especially other Afro-Indigenous women. My ultimate dream is to be in a position where I can encourage other Native students interested in science to pursue their goals. You can be successful in college and beyond regardless of your background. Advocate for yourself and work hard. You will get to where you want to be, and maybe as part of my dream, I will help you!
— As told to Alexa Panza
