Diné College STEM MS Biology Students Share Thesis
22nd November 2024
TUBA CITY, Ariz. – Three Master of Science (MS) Biology students from Diné College’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will share their thesis work via Zoom on December 3, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (MST). This presentation is part of their graduation requirements, marking a milestone for the students, School of STEM, and Diné College.
The MS Biology program is the first of its kind at Diné College. Since its inception, the program has navigated various challenges related to acquiring necessary state-of-the-art equipment, chemical, and biological materials and securing permits such as from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), to ensure the authenticity of the work done by our students.
Significant support was received from Dr. Charles “Monty” Roessel, President of Diné College; Dr. Alysa Landry, Provost of Diné College; Ms. Bo Lewis, VP of Finance & Administration of Diné College; and Ms. Glenita Haskey, VP of Student Affairs. Their contributions were crucial in overcoming initial hurdles and ensuring that the students had access to the required resources.
The Registrar’s office, the Dean of the School of STEM, Mr. James Tutt, The Office of Sponsored Projects, and numerous staff members have also played vital roles in supporting the program. Contributions from Diné College Operations & Maintenance staff for assisting in the installation of equipment, Tuba City Center Director, Tuba City Chapter House, and the graduate committee members from other institutions such as Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, Claflin University, SC, and the University of New Mexico, all further strengthened the program.
The program was established with support from NSF’s ICE-TI grant, which Diné College received in 2022. Currently, 10 MS graduate students and 6 undergraduate Honors Scholars are enrolled in this program. With improved resources and continued support, the program’s standing has advanced significantly since its approval three years ago. Diné College is actively pursuing new research grants to continue this progress.
This presentation on Tuesday, December 3, will highlight the students’ achievements and serve as a testament to the program’s growth and collaborative support. The college community is encouraged to attend the Zoom presentation to witness this significant event.
For further details and the Zoom link, please get in touch with the Diné College School of STEM. Or use the registration link below:
https://dinecollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsfuihrjsoGdQ709tjbA6I9lUPI4BQg4Rb
