Community, Cultural, Academic Mentoring Professionals (CCAMP)

Community, Cultural, & Academic Mentoring Professionals

Name	Title	Bio
Franci Taylor, PhD, BFA, BS	Consultant Email: francitaylor0@gmail.com	A member of the Choctaw tribe and has over 25 years of experience in American Indian education. Franci has worked on creating American Indian curriculum for public schools. She directed two award-winning college preparation bridging programs for American Indian youth and has developed effective, best practices, recruitment and retention programs at the junior high school, high school and university levels. Taylor came to the University of Utah from Washington State University (WSU) where she was the Native American retention specialist and director for the American Indian Resource Center. Franci has served as a NARI Mentor since 2015. Mentees: Kyra Long, Dakota Kinsel
Nathaniel Todea, MSc	Hydraulic Engineer, United States Bureau of Reclamation Email: n.todea@usbr.gov	A member of the Dine Nation and obtained his master’s from University of New Mexico in Engineering. He has been working as a Utah NRCS State Hydraulic Engineer at U.S. Department of Agriculture for 22 years. U.S. Department of Agriculture is part of the Federal industry, and located in District of Columbia, United States. Nate says, "Being a public servant and a Native American man, I feel a responsibility to serve my family, my community, and my people. Hydrology and hydraulics have been a great career choice as it has empowered me to do just that." He is from Shiprock, NM and has served as a NARI CCAMP Mentor for 2018. Mentees: Darren Thomas, Blaine Goklish
Dena Ned, PhD, MSW	Associate Professor, College of Social Work Email: Dena.Ned@socwk.utah.edu	A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. She serves as the inaugural associate dean of the Office for First Generation Access. She is also an associate professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her research has focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, urban American Indian health policies and delivery of care systems as well as social determinants of health in Native communities. After earning her Masters of Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley, she worked with California’s Division of Children and Family Services before going on to direct a Title V-funded urban Indian health center in Salt Lake City. Mentees: Jessica Triplett, Kate Yamashita
Donna Eldridge, MSW	Director, Office of Academic Cultural and Community Email: Donna.Eldridge@hsc.utah.edu	A Member of the Navajo Nation and grew up in Shiprock, NM. In 2012, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. In 2013, she received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. Donna is interested in championing social justice issues and advocating for underrepresented populations. As the Director of the Office of Academic Culture and Community she works on educational outreach for K-12 students. Her programs are designed to stimulate student learning, create an interest in science, and expose students to medicine and related fields to ultimately create a gateway to higher education. Donna has been serving as a NARI Mentor since 2014 Mentee: Ethan Cornelius, Hailee Hunter
Samantha Eldridge, MA	Director, Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement Email: SEldridge@sa.utah.edu	A member of the Navajo Nation. She has over 10 years of experience in local, state, and tribal government and academia. Her career in public service began at the State of Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs. In 2014, Samantha relocated to Washington, D.C. to serve as the senior advisor to American Indian/Alaska Native outreach at the National Education Association. While in D.C. Samantha advanced educational and social justice policies and practices increasing equity, access, and opportunities for Indigenous youth. Samantha is a past recipient of the University of Utah Equity and Diversity award and 2021 recipient of the Student Affairs Diversity Committee Pursuit of Inclusion award. Samantha received a B.A. in Sociology and M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Utah. Mentee: Jazmin Manuel, Grace Dewyer
Jenna Murry, MPH	MD-PhD Program Student Email: Jenna.Murray@hsc.utah.edu	A member of the Eastern Shoshone Nation and is currently an MD/PhD student at the University of Utah. Her most formative childhood experiences were spent on her family’s Wind River Indian Reservation ranch where she loved nothing more than helping her grandfather. In addition to her studies, Jenna is the former President of the Association of Native American Medical Students at the U and is also very active in her community as a motivational speaker and inspiration to many. As a NARI Alumna from 2015, 2016 Jenna values the importance on Mentorship and has continued to be a part of NARI since 2021. Mentees: Issac Francis, Henry Natonabah
Ryan Bia, MS	Mass Spectrometry Specialist, CVTRI Email: ryan.bia@utah.edu	A member of a Dine Nation, Ryan is a mass spectrometry specialist and research associate at the University of Utah’s Nora Eccles Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI). Originally from near Canyon de Chelly, AZ he brings a strong sense of purpose and cultural perspective to his work in biomedical research. With over six years of experience in proteomics and cardiovascular science, he is passionate about using mass spectrometry to explore the molecular mechanisms of disease and supporting the next generation of scientists along the way. A former NARI intern in 2017, Ryan understands the value of mentorship and hands-on experience in shaping a research career. He recently completed his MBA at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and will continue his education this fall as a PhD student in Molecular Biology. He is committed to mentoring students and bridging the gap between academic research and real-world impact through leadership, collaboration, and innovation. Mentee: Asher Barnum and Taylor Long
Kali Dale, PhD	Director, Native BioData Consortium Email: kali@nativebio.org	A member of the Anishinaabe Nation (White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indians). She received a Ph.D. in Oncological Sciences from the University of Utah in 2022. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) recognized her as the 2021 National Conference Graduate Student Presentation Winner. Dale’s work focused on evidence-based approaches for the treatment of lung cancer, specifically the molecular mechanisms that signal specific genetic mutations in the pathway of lung cancer development. She currently is the Director of Research at Native BioData Consortium in Eagle Butte, SD. As a NARI Alumna Kali values the importance on Mentorship and has continued to be a part of NARI since. Mentee: Ashlyn Adakai
Shai-Anne Nalder, BS	Biochemistry, PhD Candidate U of U Email: Shaianne.Nalder@biochem.utah.edu	A member of the Muscogee (Creek) National from Salt Lake City. She received her bachelor’s from Weber State University and is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Utah within the department of Bioscience. She is a former NARI Student and participated in 2016 and 2017. She has been a co-mentor as well as a cultural mentor and has provided workshops for interns since 2021. Mentee: Soma Freeman
Dalaki Livingston, PhD	Department of Communications – Postdoc Research Fellow Email: dalaki.livingston@utah.edu	Dalaki Livingston went to school at Southern Utah University and University of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Navajo Nation and has 8 siblings. He currently works at the University of Utah as a Post-Doc research fellow. He enjoys board games, tabletop roleplaying, as well as most forms of animation. He wants to help build spaces and places for Indigenous folks in university. Mentee: Tavin Benally and Caleb Lameman
Amber Herrod, BS	Biochemistry, PhD Student Email: amber.herrod@hci.utah.edu	Amber is a rising 2nd year graduate student at the University of Utah. She graduated and earned her B.S in Biology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Amber is a member of the Navajo Nation with her tribal affiliations also being Cheyenne Arapaho, Muscogee, and Cherokee. Amber is a NARI Alumnus; she was a participant in 2023 and 2024. Mentee: Jamie Manuel
Anisha Marion, BS	Clinical Psychology, PhD Student Email: anisha.marion@psych.utah.edu	A proud member of the Ojibway and Abenaki Nations. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She is currently in her fourth year of her Ph. D program studying Clinical Psychology here at the University of Utah. The primary focus of her current research is understanding how social support may facilitate goal attainment and adherence to Type 1 Diabetes management in early emerging adults. She is also a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her grant project explores how to maximize helpful and minimize harmful familial support for American Indian Students in higher education. Mentee: Laura Innerebner laura.innerebner@cornerstone.edu

Name

Title

Bio

Franci Taylor, PhD, BFA, BS

Consultant

Email: francitaylor0@gmail.com

A member of the Choctaw tribe and has over 25 years of experience in American Indian education. Franci has worked on creating American Indian curriculum for public schools. She directed two award-winning college preparation bridging programs for American Indian youth and has developed effective, best practices, recruitment and retention programs at the junior high school, high school and university levels. Taylor came to the University of Utah from Washington State University (WSU) where she was the Native American retention specialist and director for the American Indian Resource Center. Franci has served as a NARI Mentor since 2015.

Mentees: Kyra Long, Dakota Kinsel

Nathaniel Todea, MSc

Hydraulic Engineer, United States Bureau of Reclamation

Email: n.todea@usbr.gov

A member of the Dine Nation and obtained his master’s from University of New Mexico in Engineering. He has been working as a Utah NRCS State Hydraulic Engineer at U.S. Department of Agriculture for 22 years. U.S. Department of Agriculture is part of the Federal industry, and located in District of Columbia, United States. Nate says, "Being a public servant and a Native American man, I feel a responsibility to serve my family, my community, and my people. Hydrology and hydraulics have been a great career choice as it has empowered me to do just that." He is from Shiprock, NM and has served as a NARI CCAMP Mentor for 2018.

Mentees: Darren Thomas, Blaine Goklish

Dena Ned, PhD, MSW

Associate Professor, College of Social Work

Email: Dena.Ned@socwk.utah.edu

A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. She serves as the inaugural associate dean of the Office for First Generation Access. She is also an associate professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her research has focused on the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, urban American Indian health policies and delivery of care systems as well as social determinants of health in Native communities. After earning her Masters of Social Welfare (MSW) from the University of California, Berkeley, she worked with California’s Division of Children and Family Services before going on to direct a Title V-funded urban Indian health center in Salt Lake City.

Mentees: Jessica Triplett, Kate Yamashita

Donna Eldridge, MSW

Director, Office of Academic Cultural and Community

Email: Donna.Eldridge@hsc.utah.edu

A Member of the Navajo Nation and grew up in Shiprock, NM. In 2012, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. In 2013, she received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. Donna is interested in championing social justice issues and advocating for underrepresented populations. As the Director of the Office of Academic Culture and Community she works on educational outreach for K-12 students. Her programs are designed to stimulate student learning, create an interest in science, and expose students to medicine and related fields to ultimately create a gateway to higher education. Donna has been serving as a NARI Mentor since 2014

Mentee: Ethan Cornelius, Hailee Hunter

Samantha Eldridge, MA

Director, Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement

Email: SEldridge@sa.utah.edu

A member of the Navajo Nation. She has over 10 years of experience in local, state, and tribal government and academia. Her career in public service began at the State of Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs. In 2014, Samantha relocated to Washington, D.C. to serve as the senior advisor to American Indian/Alaska Native outreach at the National Education Association. While in D.C. Samantha advanced educational and social justice policies and practices increasing equity, access, and opportunities for Indigenous youth. Samantha is a past recipient of the University of Utah Equity and Diversity award and 2021 recipient of the Student Affairs Diversity Committee Pursuit of Inclusion award. Samantha received a B.A. in Sociology and M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

Mentee: Jazmin Manuel, Grace Dewyer

Jenna Murry, MPH

MD-PhD Program Student

Email: Jenna.Murray@hsc.utah.edu

A member of the Eastern Shoshone Nation and is currently an MD/PhD student at the University of Utah. Her most formative childhood experiences were spent on her family’s Wind River Indian Reservation ranch where she loved nothing more than helping her grandfather. In addition to her studies, Jenna is the former President of the Association of Native American Medical Students at the U and is also very active in her community as a motivational speaker and inspiration to many. As a NARI Alumna from 2015, 2016 Jenna values the importance on Mentorship and has continued to be a part of NARI since 2021.

Mentees: Issac Francis, Henry Natonabah

Ryan Bia, MS

Mass Spectrometry Specialist, CVTRI

Email: ryan.bia@utah.edu

A member of a Dine Nation, Ryan is a mass spectrometry specialist and research associate at the University of Utah’s Nora Eccles Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute (CVRTI). Originally from near Canyon de Chelly, AZ he brings a strong sense of purpose and cultural perspective to his work in biomedical research. With over six years of experience in proteomics and cardiovascular science, he is passionate about using mass spectrometry to explore the molecular mechanisms of disease and supporting the next generation of scientists along the way. A former NARI intern in 2017, Ryan understands the value of mentorship and hands-on experience in shaping a research career. He recently completed his MBA at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and will continue his education this fall as a PhD student in Molecular Biology. He is committed to mentoring students and bridging the gap between academic research and real-world impact through leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

Mentee: Asher Barnum and Taylor Long

Kali Dale, PhD

Director, Native BioData Consortium

Email: kali@nativebio.org

A member of the Anishinaabe Nation (White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indians). She received a Ph.D. in Oncological Sciences from the University of Utah in 2022. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) recognized her as the 2021 National Conference Graduate Student Presentation Winner. Dale’s work focused on evidence-based approaches for the treatment of lung cancer, specifically the molecular mechanisms that signal specific genetic mutations in the pathway of lung cancer development. She currently is the Director of Research at Native BioData Consortium in Eagle Butte, SD. As a NARI Alumna Kali values the importance on Mentorship and has continued to be a part of NARI since.

Mentee: Ashlyn Adakai

Shai-Anne Nalder, BS

Biochemistry, PhD Candidate U of U

Email: Shaianne.Nalder@biochem.utah.edu

A member of the Muscogee (Creek) National from Salt Lake City. She received her bachelor’s from Weber State University and is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Utah within the department of Bioscience. She is a former NARI Student and participated in 2016 and 2017. She has been a co-mentor as well as a cultural mentor and has provided workshops for interns since 2021.

Mentee: Soma Freeman

Dalaki Livingston, PhD

Department of Communications – Postdoc Research Fellow

Email: dalaki.livingston@utah.edu

Dalaki Livingston went to school at Southern Utah University and University of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Navajo Nation and has 8 siblings. He currently works at the University of Utah as a Post-Doc research fellow. He enjoys board games, tabletop roleplaying, as well as most forms of animation. He wants to help build spaces and places for Indigenous folks in university.

Mentee: Tavin Benally and Caleb Lameman

Amber Herrod, BS

Biochemistry, PhD Student

Email: amber.herrod@hci.utah.edu

Amber is a rising 2nd year graduate student at the University of Utah. She graduated and earned her B.S in Biology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Amber is a member of the Navajo Nation with her tribal affiliations also being Cheyenne Arapaho, Muscogee, and Cherokee. Amber is a NARI Alumnus; she was a participant in 2023 and 2024.

Mentee: Jamie Manuel

Anisha Marion, BS

Clinical Psychology, PhD Student

Email: anisha.marion@psych.utah.edu

A proud member of the Ojibway and Abenaki Nations. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. She is currently in her fourth year of her Ph. D program studying Clinical Psychology here at the University of Utah. The primary focus of her current research is understanding how social support may facilitate goal attainment and adherence to Type 1 Diabetes management in early emerging adults. She is also a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her grant project explores how to maximize helpful and minimize harmful familial support for American Indian Students in higher education.

Mentee: Laura Innerebner laura.innerebner@cornerstone.edu

Community, Cultural, Academic Mentoring Professionals (CCAMP)

Community, Cultural, Academic Mentoring Professionals (CCAMP)

Pediatrics