University of Montana Establishes Native American Research Laboratory

The University of Montana announced recently the establishment of a Native American Research Laboratory dedicated to training Native students in basic sciences.

The laboratory is the first research lab at any university in the nation developed specifically to provide hands-on cross-disciplinary research training opportunities for Native American undergraduate and graduate students.

The goal of the lab is to provide a cultural “comfort zone” where Native students can learn how to use state-of-the-art research instrumentation and modern laboratory techniques to study research questions.

UM has contracted Michael Ceballos, a research assistant professor in the Division of Biological Sciences, to help develop the laboratory. A former tribal college science faculty member, Ceballos is a member of the National Science Foundation Quality Education for Minorities Network Native American Leadership Development Institute and the NASA Astrobiology Institute.

As a Sloan Scholar in UM’s Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Scholars Program, Ceballos is concurrently completing his doctoral studies in the integrative microbiology and biochemistry program. Ceballos’ paternal family is Tepehuane and his maternal family is descended from the Choctaw and Cherokee tribes.

Ceballos said the idea behind the lab is to create significant learning opportunities for Native science students from across the nation so they are more competitive in applying for graduate science programs or graduate research positions.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Native students to realize their educational dreams in a non-intimidating environment,” Ceballos said. “Many Native students come to the University from either high schools in economically-challenged communities or tribal colleges where access to modern instrumentation and faculty research expertise is very limited. This puts Native students at a disadvantage when progressing through undergraduate science degree programs, applying for graduate school or competing for graduate research positions within the university,” he said.

“It’s time that we indigenous people cease being only the subjects of research and become part of the community doing the research,” Ceballos said. “We often forget that indigenous people of the Americas were at the pinnacle of global scientific discovery and engineering achievement when Europe was in the Dark Ages. Science is a part of our Native heritage that needs to be revived.”

Ceballos brings two active research awards to UM – one from the National Science Foundation and another from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration EPSCoR program.

The NSF-sponsored research is focused on microorganisms that live in hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone Park. The NASA EPSCoR-supported project in astrobiology is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow life to live in extreme environments, such as those that might be found on other planets or moons.

“The University has made it a priority to assist Native Americans to enter careers in science,” said UM President George Dennison. “The establishment of the laboratory will help immensely because it will provide a safe place for experimentation and guided learning. I applaud the work of faculty members who have helped to make this laboratory a reality.”

Contact: Michael Ceballos, research assistant professor, UM Division of Biological Sciences, [email protected], 406-249-1248.

http://news.umt.edu/index.asp?sec=1&too=100&eve=8&dat=10/22/2007&npa=1867