Indige-FEWSS Interns Work at WEST Center

In Summer 2019, WEST Center researchers welcomed two undergraduate interns from Diné College to their labs.  Jaiden Willeto and Larry Moore, the visiting interns, spent six weeks at UA WEST Center to get hands-on research experience as part of the University of Arizona Indige-FEWSS (Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty) program.

While at WEST, each intern worked closely with a faculty and graduate student sponsor, researching bio-fuel opportunities and water filtration techniques.  Larry Moore said of the experience:

"This unique experience ensured that we networked across multiple labs and with people from all levels of education…. The sheer amount of knowledge changed my perspective on what is possible. I was exposed to everything from space expedition challenges, modern agriculture techniques, phytoremediation, nanofiltration for contaminated water, solar energy labs and more…. At every step of the way there was someone to answer my questions, instruct me when I was unsure, and review the work I was producing."

The WEST Center interns continue to participate in the larger Indige-FEWSS initiative, working to solve important challenges on the Navajo Nation with traditional values as their guide.  Read more about the goals of the Indige-FEWSS project and unprecedented University of Arizona and Diné College collaboration in the UA News article, published September 2019 (below).

UA News article by Emily Litvack, Sept. 25, 2019

Students Tackle 21st Century Sustainability Challenges on the Navajo Nation:

UA students working on food, energy and water insecurity among Indigenous communities build an off-the-grid water filtration system on the Navajo Nation.