Seminar: Native Voices in STEM
Merging western science and traditional knowledge of produce safety within Arizona’s Tribal lands
This professional seminar series invites Native scientists, engineers, activists, community members and leaders to share their personal and professional journeys, providing inspiration to the next generation of change makers. The speaker series is co-sponsored by the University of Arizona Indigenous Resilience Center, the University of Arizona-Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership, the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center and the University of Arizona Office of Societal Impact.
The October 3rd seminar speaker will be Dr. Valerisa Joe-Gaddy. Dr Joe-Gaddy is currently a post-doctorate research associate at the University of Arizona – Water Resources Research Center in Tucson, AZ. Gaddy is originally from Gallup, NM and is of the Diné (Navajo) people. Gaddy is an Alumna of the University of Arizona receiving both her PhD and MS in Environmental Science with an emphasis in microbiology. Prior to UArizona, she received her BS in Microbiology from New Mexico State University. Gaddy’s research and extension interests include developing and validating methods to assess microbial water quality and communicating modern water quality and produce safety methods to growers. Most recently, Gaddy, was a 2022-2023 MIT Solve fellow and a 2022-2023 Agent of Change in Environmental Health fellow and is using her research to advocate for tribal irrigation resources in Arizona. Gaddy is passionate about environmental science literacy and serving the Diné people through outreach and engagement.