My Current Research
My Current Research
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I am a mixed methods researcher, examining a variety of issues related to the health of Indigenous Populations through research and policy change. My current work is on examining barriers to cancer genetic counseling for Indigenous communities in the United States. Past work included exploring the mental health impact of tribal enrollment laws and blood quantum rules on Indigenous young adults. My dissertation work was examining the potential impact of ethnic identity on healthcare decision making among Indigenous college students. Finally, I examine urban Indigenous health and barriers to care. I am always interested in sharing out my work, partnering with likeminded people and organizations, and developing policy and educational resources for community.
I am a mixed methods researcher, examining a variety of issues related to the health of Indigenous Populations through research and policy change. My current work is on examining barriers to cancer genetic counseling for Indigenous communities in the United States. Past work included exploring the mental health impact of tribal enrollment laws and blood quantum rules on Indigenous young adults. My dissertation work was examining the potential impact of ethnic identity on healthcare decision making among Indigenous college students. Finally, I examine urban Indigenous health and barriers to care. I am always interested in sharing out my work, partnering with likeminded people and organizations, and developing policy and educational resources for community.
Indigenous Identity, Mental Health, and Tribal Enrollment
Indigenous Identity, Mental Health, and Tribal Enrollment
Indigenous identity in the United States is complex, as the United States federal government has interfered in who is allowed to be considered Indigenous for well over a century. As a result, the vast majority of Indigenous Peoples within the US borders do not remember a system without blood quantum or lineage based enrollment laws. My research attempts to take social science theory, which discusses this nuanced understandings of identity, and apply to health sciences, such as mental health, identity formation, and sense of belonging to best support our people and aid decision making for Tribal Nations.
Healthcare Access for Indigenous College Students and Urban Populations
Healthcare Access for Indigenous College Students and Urban Populations
My dissertation research tackled why is it that even though there are currently more Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Arizona than any other time in the school’s history, Indigenous students have the lowest rates of Campus Health healthcare utilization in comparison to all other racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, I have multiple peer reviewed articles on barriers to primary and preventative care for urban Indigenous populations. These findings have been presented with community partners, at national conferences, and in peer reviewed literature.
Implementing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Goverance to Strengthen Tribal Nations
Implementing Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Goverance to Strengthen Tribal Nations
Research without application is only for the betterment of the scientist. My work has always, and will continue, to incorporate acitonable policy reccomendations and collaborations with community partners and State, Federal, and Tribal governments to implement findings. This has been demonstrated so far in evaulating data sharing policies from the COVID-19 pandemic, how healthcare organizations promote services, and sharing out data on healthcare beliefs and decision making to Indigenous serving healthcare agencies.
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