PREM Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University in Research and Education in STEM (VENTURES)

The Partnership for Research and Education in Materials: Vision for Excellence at Navajo Technical University in Research and Education in STEM (PREM VENTURES) is a partnership between Navajo Technical University (NTU) and the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Harvard University. As the first PREM based at a Tribal University, the partnership will build robust pathways for Native American students in STEM education and careers, from K-12 to undergraduate and from undergraduate to graduate programs.

The goals of the partnership are to:

  1. Increase the number of Native Americans earning undergraduate degrees in STEM fields.

  2. Increase the research infrastructure at NTU so that students and faculty can investigate problems within their community.

  3. Increase the number of Native Americans entering and completing graduate programs in materials science, and related fields.

  4. Integrate Native American perspectives and methods of inquiry into materials science research.

The two materials research areas in this award are relevant to health and environmental issues that are of immediate importance to the Navajo Nation. By linking each research area to an issue of concern to the Navajo people, this team will be able to achieve the objectives of increasing enrollment in STEM fields at NTU, and will inspire students to continue to graduate research in materials and related fields. In addition, the highly accessible research techniques can be readily adapted into courses at NTU and outreach activities to the Navajo Nation, incorporating cultural knowledge and practices.

Navajo Technical University
Harvard University
Research Area 1

Electrochemical Detection of Pollutants and Disease Biomarkers

This research focuses on developing materials and techniques for the electrochemical detection of low concentrations of pollutants such as heavy metals and disease biomarkers like glucose. Motivated by the Navajo Nation's history of uranium mining and modern extraction activities like fracking, this area aims to create low-cost detection methods to monitor contaminants and address health issues, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. It also involves fabricating and testing electrodes and developing microfluidic laboratory models for soil contaminant flow and detection.
Research Area 2

Mechanical Properties of Cell Membranes

This research investigates the biophysical properties of cell membranes, focusing on how phytosterols can act as cholesterol surrogates and alter the sterol profile of mammalian cell membranes. It addresses a growing health concern for the Navajo people—rising cholesterol levels and coronary disease. By using capillary microfluidic techniques, this research examines how these modifications impact membrane properties, providing insights relevant to improving health outcomes.

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