Lummi/Quinault and Mexican American

I began working at Ames in the summer of 1991 as a summer student in the Rotorcraft Technology Branch. From 1992 through 1996, I returned to Ames each summer as a co-op student in the Rotorcraft Technology Branch and later moved to the Aeromechanics Branch. Summer work assignments consisted of finite element modeling, modal testing of rotor blades, neural networks, flight test analysis and data correlation.

I am currently an Aerospace Engineer in the Aeromechanics Branch of the Army/NASA Rotorcraft Division , where I participate in various research activities in the areas of loads, vibration, and stability. Current work activities include serving as test director for various rotor tests in the 7' by 10' wind tunnel and correlating recent test data with comprehensive analysis code.

I earned a B.S. degree in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington and a M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. I am a member of two organizations at Ames, the Native American Advisory Committee and the Hispanic Advisory Committee for Employees. I am also a professional member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the American Helicopter Society (AHS).

I was born in Houston, Tx and the youngest of 7 children. While in high school, I moved to the Lummi Reservation, located just outside of Ferndale, Wa. I enjoy playing basketball and softball, attend as many powwows as possible, and am a fancy shawl dancer.

Ken Cullings

Blackfoot

I'm Blackfoot, though grandma was adopted off the reservation in Browning before the 1935 census, so none of us can be official members of the Blackfeet tribe.

I'm a Space Scientist, and my specialty is Evolutionary Ecology. I'm working on the ecology of the Yellowstone forests, and of some of Yellowstone's mid-temperature thermal pools.

I'm adjunct at CSU Dominguez Hills, in Carson CA., a CSU campus designed to service the minority community of South Cental LA. I got my master's there, and I'm helping put together a new program in Environmental Biology. I got my Ph.D. at Berkeley.

I'm a surfer, and ride a road bike when I can't get waves. I'm also quickly becoming an obsessed fly fisherman.

Mary Buford Howard

Cherokee

Hello, my name is Mary Buford Howard.

Biologically I am Cherokee, French and African-American. I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but have been told that my Cherokee great-grandparents were originally from Oklahoma. My mother was born in Prescott, Arkansas and my father in Little Rock. My growing up years were spent in Chicago, Illinois. Family history regarding the Cherokee side of the family has been somewhat difficult to trace due to the fact that many historical family records have been lost or destroyed.

During the growing up years I attended Loyola University in Chicago; then transferred to Central State University in Ohio, where I received a Bachelors Degree in Education.

My position at NASA Ames Research Center is as Executive and Lead Secretary in Code S, Astrobiology and Space Research Directorate. This position requires me to provide administrative assistance to the Director, Deputy Director and Associate Director. Code S has many sub-codes which adds a requirement for me to assist other administrative workers regarding policies, rules and regulations. Another requirement is extensive dealings and coordination with other research and development activities external to the Directorate and outside the Center.

Mike Liu

Navajo

I am Navajo and English, Irish, and German. My Father is full-blood Navajo, my Mother is English, Irish, and German. I am from the Many Goats Clan, most of my relatives live near Page, Arizona. I have a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy from U.C. Berkeley.

I work in the Wind Tunnel Systems Branch at the NASA Ames Research Center as the Deputy Branch Chief. I am the Chair of the Native American Advisory Committee here at NASA Ames Research Center. Our committee consists of employees here at the center that have an interest in Native American Issues. Our committee is involved with Community outreach activities, educational awareness, Equal Opportunity issues at the center, and to promote Native American visibility at the center. I am also the secretary of the California AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society) professionalchapter. The professional chapter is involved with outreach activities, scholarships, and role models to Native American students (K-12 and College), professionals, and members of the community.

I was growing up during the early days when NASA was sending Astronauts into space, when I was 5 years old I wanted to work for NASA and be an Astronaut. As I grew older I developed an interest in Astronomy. When I was attending High School I became involved with a work experience program at NASA. I went to Junior College and they had a COOP program with NASA. When I graduated from College in 1981, I got a Computer Programming job with a company that had a contract with NASA. In 1990 I was finally able to get a job working directly for NASA. If you have a dream stick with it, you will eventually find a way to make that dream happen.

Tianna Shaw

Yurok

I grew up on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation in Northern California and am a member of the Yurok Tribe. Both my mother and my grandmother have strongly influenced my value system and my cultural identity. Although I am from a small rural community, I have always been encouraged to pursue my interests. I have found that it is possible to live away from home and still maintain strong ties to family and culture. In the course of my education and work life, I have been able to enhance myself by maintaining contact with other Native Americans in additional to pursuing my educational and professional goals. I believe that this has made me a much more rounded person with valuable experiences working with people of diverse backgrounds.

I helped start the first high school chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and have been involved with AISES ever since. My BS is a dual degree in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California. I received my MS in Biomedical Engineering from California State University, Sacramento where I also helped form the chapter and served as President. In addition, I am the founding Chairperson for the Native American Advisory Committee at NASA Ames Research Center and current Vice-President and past President of the California Professional Chapter of AISES.

Presently, I am the Manager of the Facilities Utilization Office (FUO) within the Life Sciences Division of NASA Ames Research Center which is responsible for operating and maintaining the Center for Gravitational Biology Research (CGBR.) The CGBR is a collection of research facilities, including both centrifuges and linear sleds, which allow investigators to study the effects of gravity on living systems. As the FUO Manager, I provide oversight for CGBR operations, maintenance and upgrades, technical support, budget, experiment planning and scheduling.