NW NARCH NEWS
NPAIHB www.npaihb.org
BETWIXT TWO FIRS
Fall/Winter 2024
Dr. Becker chats with Dr. Kamilla Venner and Dr. Aimee Campbell, lead instructors of the Addiction Research for Indigenous Scholars track. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy.
WHAT'S
We've updated our logo and colors to better reflect the colors of the Northwest. The school of fish represents our ongoing commitment to building research capacity and healthy communities in NW tribes. The bright blue - the signature color of our brand - represents our innovative change makers.
NW NARCH gets a fresh look.
NEW?
Mark your Calendars!
Fall/ Winter | 2024
Connect with Ashley Thomas to sign up as a mentor.
On the Road Again
We are excited to be launching a Mentorship Program page on our website. Trainees can learn about available mentors before connecting with them on projects. A mentor guide will be available as a resource to trainees and experienced researchers.
We had a very productive time at the 2024 SACNAS meeting. Our time started with the NARCH directors meeting, where we met Dr. Mercedes Rubio, Director of the Division for Research Capacity Building at NIH, and Dr. Crysal Richards, program officer who oversees the NARCH program. We also hosted an abstract writing workshop for our Cancer Prevention Fellows. During the conference, we shared information about our programs including graduate and undergraduate fellowships and the Summer Research Training Institute with students and university representatives. We were thrilled that many participants recognized that NW NARCH provides valuable opportunities. It was exciting to meet so many eager young Native people interested in pursuing STEM fields. We hope to attract many new candidates and continue to provide scholarship support to such high caliber, deserving candidates. - Dr. Tom Weiser
NW NARCH Mentorship Program
SUMMER SUM UP
Tans fade, memories are forever. We were back in action with a full roster of in-person programs last summer. Take a peek at how we've been fueling Indigenous researchers of all ages.
Newly admitted trainees in the ABDS track participate in an intensive week in Portland, June 2024
Charlene Hunt is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of NC. She serves as the Project Manager for the North Carolina American Indian Health Board, which is housed within the Office of Cancer Health Equity (OCHE) at Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. Charlene manages various American Indian Cancer Health Equity projects through the newly formed collaboration of the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP). She also serves as Chair for the Indigenous Peoples Affinity Group at Atrium. Charlene works with NC tribal communities through educational outreach, community-engaged research, and educational programs such as the American Indian Biomedical Summer Academy. She is interested in improving health of tribal communities through education, access to care, and addressing social determinants of health.
End of Summer Research Training Institute (EoSRTI)
Samira (Sam) Rosenthal is White Earth Ojibwe from Minnesota. She completed her general associate degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College and bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Minnesota in Morris. After graduation, Sam worked as a scribe in outpatient/inpatient internal medicine, a doctor’s assistant in optometry, and a research associate in health science/medical market research. She is currently a medical student at OHSU dedicated to working for her tribe in the future as a mixed primary care physician and specialist.
Ten trainees gathered in Portland for a week of intensive learning. Centered around data equity, courses covered topics such as methods in statistics and data science, survey design, data management and probabilistic linkage, and research storytelling. Trainees completed hands-on statistical programming work, engaged in discussions, and were supported by biostatistics and data science experts and knowledgeable helpers. Outside of class, they had the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff members from OHSU and NPAIHB at social events. On the last day, trainees met with a recent graduate of the track and learned about his capstone project work before setting off to explore Portland and surrounding areas together. Track participants will continue to explore quantitative topics and processes during virtual learning sessions and completion of their capstone projects.
Public Health Research Academy
Two new tracks in addictions research and epidemiology kicked off a year of learning. Sixteen participants (8 in each track) gathered in Portland for a week of intensive learning in September. They will meet online for monthly webinars and complete a captsone project from October-May. Former NARCH fellows, Dr. Marc Emerson (Navajo) and Joel Begay, MPH (Navajo), lead the Epidemiology Methods track which emphasizes culturally relevant approaches and the interpretation of epidemiological research to support tribal community health initiatives. Dr. Kammila Venner (Ahtna Athabascan) and Dr. Aimee Campbell bring over two decades of experience in substance use disorder research to lead the Addictions Research for Indigenous Scholars track. The track focuses on substance misuse, prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction models and methods, partnering with Tribal communities, cultural adaptation and integration of traditional Tribal healing practices.
Tahj Moore is a member of the Navajo Nation. He is a dedicated researcher at Stanford University with a strong background in immunology, cancer genomics, and public health. He holds an M.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, with experience in molecular biology, cell culture, and biochemistry techniques. Tahj's research journey spans positions at Northern Arizona University, where he made significant contributions to structural biology. Passionate about addressing health disparities in Indigenous communities, Tahj combines his scientific expertise with his Navajo heritage to advance culturally informed biomedical research and improve health outcomes.
Summer Research Training Institute (SRTI)
NW NARCH was excited to host 83 participants for our intensive short courses in Portland this past June. The most popular courses included Tribal Sovereignty and Public Policy, Data Wrangling & Summarizing in R, Intro to Data Science Methods, Graphic Design for Health Promotion, and Program Evaluation. To best meet demand and needs of our trainees, we offered online sections for several courses. SRTI is always a great way to connect with new people while learning important skills for Native researchers. Have an idea for a class or want to get in touch with us? Email summerinstitute@npaihb.org.
Marie Hershberger is Kalinga, a tribe located in the northern Cordillera Mountains of the northern Philippines. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington where she works as a Program Assistant at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. She is housed in the Cancer Epidemiology Research Cooperative division, focusing on cancer survivorship.
Gabriel Baca is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and native to Southeastern Arizona. He grew up in a copper mining community called Morenci, an unincorporated city adjacent to San Carlos, Arizona and the New Mexico border. A graduate from Arizona State University with a degree in Anthropology and a focus on sociocultural disciplines, Gabriel is currently applying to physician assistant programs. While he waits for admission decisions, he works as a Clinical Resource Equity Coordinator at the University of Arizona and as a public health education intern with the College of Health Solutions’ Community Health Worker program at Arizona State University. Both programs are aimed to increase knowledge and workforce in rural and indigenous communities across the state of Arizona. Gabriel is also in the initial stages of a research project with AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) Indigenous Knowledge Research Program. He will look into ethnographic approaches to Indigenous ways of living in mining-occupied lands in Arizona. He is excited to be a current NARCH Cancer Fellow with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and looking forward to working with the team for years to come. Fun fact: Plant Dad to over 45 plants, and enjoys running :)
Keely Ulmer, MD is a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation and was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She is a third-year gynecologic oncology fellow at the University of Iowa. Dr. Ulmer will return to western South Dakota upon graduation to work as a gynecologic oncologist in Rapid City. Her research passion is American Indian health disparities, including gynecologic cancers. She plans to continue her research with the Walking Forward program in her Northern Plain communities.
Seven new cancer prevention fellows from across the country participated in an intensive week of hands-on epidemiology and grant writing skills. They stayed in Portland for another week of SRTI courses. We are excited to work with this inspiring group of cancer researchers. Read on to learn more about our new fellows.
Applied Biostatistics and Data Science Track (ABDS)
2024 Academy mentors & youth
Paige Priest is a member of the Seneca nation of Indians, originally from Irving, NY. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies and Master of Public Health in NY. Paige is currently a first-year medical student at the University of North Dakota. Her end goal is to help keep Indian Country healthy so our traditions can live on for generations. Through the NARCH fellowship, Paige hopes to gain more insight on the true impact that cancer has on Native people and how it may impact our people differently.
2024 Tribal Researchers' Cancer Control Fellowship Program
We welcomed 13 Native high school students and five adult mentors to Portland for our year two kick-off. 2024 Academy participants represent five sites in ID, OR, and WA. Youth came ready to learn and connect with Indigenous scholars and each other. The week was full of hands-on learning, field excursions, site visits, and a canoe journey with the 7 Waters Canoe Family. Youth presented some of their work from the week at the annual THRIVE suicide prevention conference. We are excited to continue learning with our sites through May 2025.
SRTI trainees learning and engaging with each other
Felix muniz, PhD
Dr. Muniz works as a Assistant Scientist at the John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and is a former research support fellow. Read more about about Dr. Muniz and his path to research.
I believe being rooted in community and having elders that I could turn to when I really needed guidance was so crucial in keeping me on my path. There were several times where I doubted whether I could do it and wanted to quit. Graduate school is so challenging and not intended for rez kids, it can often be harmful to us. So, having those connections and being rooted in community, family, and land really gave me what I needed to endure challenges. Lean on your elders, family, and land.
NARCH supports undergraduates who are interested in pursuing research careers. What would you say to undergrads who are interested in improving the health of their communities but don't know much about research?
When I first started college, I was a civil engineering major and what I actually wanted to be was an architect. However, I knew nothing about majors so I did what my high school teachers told me and ended up in civil engineering, I didn't even know what an architect was what it was called. The road to what I do now is very complex.
IN
The academic/research path is very challenging. It will test your discipline, morals, heart, network, and mental toughness, and there are sacrifices that must be made in order to go down that path in a good way. However, if you believe that you have the heart for it, it can be very rewarding for you and your community. Research in general is trending towards more community based and culturally grounded work and we need more good Indigenous people who are rooted in community doing the research. Quantitatively focused researchers are an especially big need! I hope to be able to welcome more Indigenous researchers who are quantitatively focused!
When you have hit challenges or hurdles, how have you kept the fire for your work going?
I am from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona, I am also part Tohono O'odham, Hualapai, and have Mexican roots. I played basketball and football growing up, I am a first generation college graduate and the first in my family to go to graduate school. I enjoy growing food, spending time on the land, being with the community, and being part of a large family. Learning new things has always been a passion of mine and it has carried me into the work that I do now.
What is one thing we would be surprised to learn about you?
Growing up on the rez, I experienced a variety of things, both positive and not so positive, and I always wanted to be an asset to my community and help address some of the hurt I saw and experienced. Research ended up being a way that I felt would allow me to use my abilities to help move my people in a direction that we wanted.
Tell us a bit about yourself. What ignited your interest in research as a career?
focus
What are you research interests? What topics are you most passionate about?
FELLOW
Fall/ Winter | 2023
The results are in from our first abstract contest. Congratulations to Charlene Hunt! Her abstract highlights an interesting research method that engages Native youth for community wellness.
Photovoice as an effective strategy in communicating cancer health equity in American Indian youth: The Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) American Indians experience significant cancer disparities, which are largely driven by elevated rates of harmful tobacco use and adverse social determinants of health. Achieving cancer health equity in Native communities requires innovative strategies that respect cultural norms and engage tribal citizens. In 2021, the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) was launched as a collaboration between the Community Outreach and Engagement programs at the three National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in North Carolina. The goal of the partnership is to understand and address the cancer-related health needs of the eight tribal communities and four urban Indian centers in North Carolina. Funded by a grant from the V Foundation, SAICEP engaged the Executive Council of the North Carolina Native American Youth Organization (NCNAYO) to conduct a photovoice project to better understand youth perceptions of cancer in their tribal communities. NCNAYO participants were instructed to capture photos in their communities and record their reflections based on these images. The following prompts guided participants: 1) What things in your tribal community make it easier to avoid cancer? 2) What are the obstacles within your tribal community that make it hard to avoid cancer? 3) What does cancer look like in your community? Youth captured a variety of images that represented cancer health equity in their communities. Images reflected positive themes, including the importance of faith and spirituality, Native culture, and American Indian health care providers in their community. Easy access to tobacco products and the availability of smoke and vape shops in their communities emerged as negative themes. A participatory research method, photovoice is an effective way for American Indian youth to share their thoughts on cancer health equity. Their stories and experiences can be shared to promote positive changes in communities and health policies.
ABSTRACT CONTEST
We have all been there. You write a compelling story for a grant application or journal only to realize it's over the page limit. It can be daunting to delete any part of your story, especially when everything seems essential. Fear not! Here are my top tips for cutting clutter. Happy Writing.
Fall/Winter | 2024
Grazia Cunningham, MPH
If you're a NARCH trainee and would like another pair of eyes on a document, reach out to Grazia at gcunningham@npaihb.org.
Tip 1: Avoid nominalizations Nouns that stem from verbs or adjectives lengthen sentences (and can confuse readers). Example: Original: The intention of the researchers was the collection of data at the community level. (14 words) Revised: The researchers intended to collect community data. (7 words) Tip 2: Limit expletives Expletive phrases (It is, there are, there is) are empty words that add length and not much value. Example: Original: It is the community that determines the research priorities. (9 words) Revised: The community determines the research priorities. (6 words) Tip 3: Use active voice Science & research needs to be more accessible. Active voice mirrors how we talk, is easier for the reader to follow, and decreases word count. Example: Original: Cognitive declines equal to 20 years of aging were observed by researchers in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (17 words) Revised: Researchers observed cognitive declines equal to 20 years of aging in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. (15 words) Tip 4: Opt for short words Long words take more time to read and increase page counts. Try these replacements instead: Use vs. utilize Help vs. Facilitate Study vs. Investigate Start/Begin vs. Initialize Tip 5: Remove the & that When every word counts, removing 'the' or 'that' will help you meet your word limit without sacrificing meaning. Example: Original: The researchers found that the cells mutate in high heat. (10 words) Revised: Researchers found cells mutate in high heat. (7 words) Tip 6: Use one word instead of phrases Academic writing is riddled with strings of unnecessary words (aka circumlocutions). To save space, use one word instead of phrases. Here are some replacements to try: To vs. In order to Now/When vs. At this point in time Because vs. Considering the fact About vs. In regards to/In reference to/with respect to Must/should vs. It is necessary to/it is crucial to/it is important that Can vs. Is able to/has the capacity for/has the opportunity to/has the ability to Tip 7: Replace conjunctions with periods or semicolons Example: Original: Students completed online surveys, but mentors completed phone surveys. (9 words) Revised: Students completed online surveys; mentors completed phone surveys. (8 words) Tip 8: Cut adverbs and adjectives Example Original: The entire campaign lasted one month, and the campaign mostly increased awareness. (12 words) Revised: The campaign lasted one month and increased awareness. (8 words) Tip 9: Join orphans and widows Find ways to join words that sit alone at the top of a page (orphans) or at the bottom of a page (widows) with paragraphs of text. You'll remove a line of space. Tip 10: Enlist the help of an editor Let's face it. It can be difficult to see the forest through the trees when you're close to a project. In addition to spotting typos and cutting unnecessary words with precision, editors can suggest new ways to structure sentences, organize your document, or incorporate visuals so your story shines.
TIPS
EDITING
We have supported over 1,300 tribal trainees. Here are some of the topics our research support fellows have studied.
RESEARCH
FEATURED NIGMS PROGRAMS
FEATURED NPAIHB PROGRAM
The mission of the TURTLE program is to develop American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) scientists who will focus on AI/AN health and disparities. Funding is available to AI/AN Tribes, Tribal Colleges or Universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations.
The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Career Awards (MOSAIC) Program offers research and career development opportunities to postdoctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. This K99/R00 award offers postdoctoral training and mentorship for up to five years. Applications to the MOSAIC program are accepted three times a year. Learn more at their website.
Interested in making a direct impact in the lives of your community members? Learn how to become a Community Health Representative (CHRs) through the Tribal Community Health Program at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. The entry-level Core Course program is designed for individuals without medical experience. The Advanced Course program is for Community Health Representatives seeking to advance their careers as Community Health Aides. Participants can also be eligible for scholarship funding. Download their flyer. Learn more at: https://www.tchpp.org/-community-health-representatives
OPPORTUNITIES
NW NARCH RESEARCH SUPPORT FELLOWSHIP
EXTERNAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Financial support for American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students interested in population health sciences careers. Rolling deadline. Click below for more info or contact Ashley Thomas.
GRANT WRITING TIPS FROM NIH
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Alaska Indigenous Research Program NPAIHB Tribal Community Health Provider Program Portland State University Public Health Studies: Indigenous Health Bachelor's Degree SACNAS Native American/Indigenous Programs The Tribal Health Pathways Resource Guide
NIH Grant Basics & Need-to-Know Resources Grant Writing for Success NIH Grants Fundamentals Playlist
Eli Lilly and Company Internships Tribal College Almuni Day at Eli Lilly and Company Research at Eli Lilly and Company
OPPORTUNITIES IN INDUSTRY
Our Tribal Health Pathways Guide has updated information on health programs for American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults. Visit the Healthy Native Youth website or click the image below to check it out.
TRIBAL HEALTH PATHWAYS
AISES Scholarships American Association for Cancer Research American Cancer Society American Indian College Fund Association of Schools for Public Health Fellowships & Internships Cancer Research Education Grants Program Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Engagement, Achievement, and Graduation for Low Income Students (EAGLES) Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health Native Forward Scholars Fund NIH Mentored Quantitative Research Career Award (K25) NIH Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01) NIH Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) The Mercury Project The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22)
Would you like us to share an opportunity in our next e-News? Send an email to Grazia at gcunningham@npaihb.org.
IN MEMORY
We were sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Francine Romero Gachupin, a former Board employee and previous Principal Investigator of the NW NARCH program. During her seven years at the Board, Francine completed 55 separate, large projects including multiple BRFFS studies of regional tribes, community trials, and other projects of importance to different tribes in our area. She was an effective teacher in our summer programs and was instrumental in the establishment of the national Indian Health Service IRB. In addition to her remarkable productivity, she was also a lot of fun to work with. The world was better off with Francine in it, and she will leave a large hole for others to fill in Indian country. -Dr. Tom Becker - Dr.
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NIGMS under Award Numbers 1S06GM141002 & S06GM145214.
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Grazia Cunningham, MPH NW NARCH Project Manager gcunningham@npaihb.org
CONTACT us
Ashley Thomas, MPH NW NARCH Senior Program Manager athomas@npaihb.org
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