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Dr. Jani Ingram and students,
Andee and Jonathan are involved in cancer research at NAU.
(Photo courtesy of NAU)
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FLAGSTAFF, AZ Dr. Jani Ingram, regents professor and environmental
chemist at Northern Arizona University, is working on cancer research
while training Native students through Partnership for Native American
Cancer Prevention.
The program is funded by the National Cancer Institute and has
multiple partners, including the University of Arizona.
While there are similar programs throughout the U.S., this one
is unique because it serves Native Americans in Arizona and the
Southwest. According to Ingram, research has shown disparities between
Native Americans and other communities.
Additionally, the NAU program partners with tribal communities
on cancer research projects.
We look at the concerns they bring to us, said Ingram,
who has a doctorate in chemistry. There are many parts and
pieces to our program.
The program is comprised of several main parts including cancer
education in tribal communities and training for researchers in
how to research in culturally sensitive ways,
We have a strong connection to tribal communities,
Ingram said.
Ingram said many Native American students working on their undergraduate
degrees have gone on to receive their doctorate or medical degree
or become physician assistants with the help of the program.
Additionally, a community advisory board comprised of representatives
from 12 tribes ensures tribal communities are able to voice any
concerns through the program. This board includes cancer survivors,
people connected to health care, community leaders and a Navajo
geneticist. This board is especially concerned about whether cancer
research projects are culturally relevant and acceptable, Ingram
said.
Ingram, who is Navajo, also works to ensure faculty are successful
by doing whatever they can through the program to assist them.
About cancer prevention research at NAU
The cancer prevention research program at NAU began in 2002, when
Ingram first took the job at NAU. Funding for the program comes
in three years cycles, which she said have been continuous so far.
When I started there was nothing and now we have 14 faculty
doing cancer research, Ingram said. Its a nasty
disease that we are trying to understand better. Some cancers are
more prevalent than others on the reservations.
Ingram said they are concerned about cancers that are not being
looked at by other researchers, including environmental exposures.
Before coming to NAU, Ingram worked for the Department of Energy
in New Mexico overlooking uranium mines, so she has concerns about
environmental exposure.
Ingram said uranium mines have been linked to lung cancer with
miners. She said the environmental impact on residents who are not
miners is not as clear.
There has been a lot of push back from the mining industry
to say it doesnt, she said.
Ingram said diet can also play a role in cancer.
So its not so cut and dry, she said.
Ingram is also concerned about whether high arsenic in some of
the wells on Navajo can cause cancer. She questions if water resources
have been exposed to uranium to arsenic and said wells should be
tested for high levels of uranium or arsenic.
Everyone should have the opportunity for clean water,
she said.
Student involvement
Ingram, who grew up in Kingman, said one of the things she enjoys
most about her job is working with students.
We get them as young as we can and they look at everything
differently, she said. Were trying to expose them
to all different types of interests and passions.
Ingram said undergraduate students at NAU have opportunities for
internships with the cancer prevention research program.
Its a wonderful thing to see them grow and they tell
their friends. Thats how we get a lot of students involved
in the program, she said.
Ingram said the program primarily recruits on the NAU campus at
the Native American Cultural Center as well as with students involved
in STEM, Nizhoni and Upward Bound programs. They also partner with
some high schools for recruitment and through the Bridges to Baccalaureate
program at Coconino Community College.
At any given time, the cancer prevention research program at NAU
will involve 20-30 students.
Ingram said typically Native students will give presentations on
their research findings.
I have collaborated with students who have gone through this
program. I have published together with some of them, she
said.
Ingram hopes to be a role model for students and said it is important
for students to have a support system and to study something they
are truly interested in.
Im really blessed to work with amazing students from
all different sorts of background. Im glad I came here and
had that opportunity. My favorite part of the job is working with
students, she said.
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