Diné College Student Pursues Environmental Science and Global Research
21st August 2024
Tsaile, AZ – Clarene Davis of Many Farms, Ariz., is making significant strides in environmental science as she pursues her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Diné College. Dedicated to improving air and water quality for tribal communities, Davis focuses on addressing critical environmental issues that directly affect her community.
Davis’s commitment to environmental science was sparked by a personal experience while caring for a relative with kidney failure. This experience heightened her awareness of water quality issues on the reservation and prompted her to transition from nursing to environmental science, underscoring her dedication to making a positive impact.
Collaborating with Columbia University, Davis is actively involved in research on arsenic and uranium contamination in bedrock aquifers. Since May 2020, she has served as a Summer Intern at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, where she conducts independent research using tools such as R and QGIS. Her work, guided by Dr. Paul Olsen and mentor Clara Chang, includes developing communication materials to support collaboration with the Navajo Nation and has significantly contributed to this vital study.
Davis’s cultural heritage plays an integral role in her life and work. Raised by her grandmother, mother, and older sisters, she was taught the importance of education in serving her community. Traditional practices, such as praying with corn pollen, deeply influence her professional endeavors. Her academic journey has also taken her across the globe. As part of Expedition 402T aboard the JOIDES Resolution, Davis integrated Indigenous and Western scientific perspectives in ocean drilling. Selected as one of 16 participants from 100 applicants worldwide, she engaged in lab work, workshops, and science communication projects. The expedition traveled from Naples through the Strait of Gibraltar, up the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal, through the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, ending in Amsterdam. In addition to her international research, Davis contributes to the air quality program at the Salt River Pima reservation with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). Her role strengthens her community and positions her as a global ambassador for Indigenous perspectives.
Davis’s participation in the JOIDES Resolution (JR) Academy has broadened her academic and cultural horizons, offering her the chance to engage in deep-sea research and climate studies. She has also attended the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conferences in Puerto Rico. Currently, she collaborates with professors and students as part of The Next Generation of Geoscience Leaders writing team, focusing on projects that highlight Indigenous and People of Color (POC) perspectives. Davis’s journey exemplifies Diné College’s values, showcasing her academic achievements, cultural advocacy, and commitment to improving environmental quality. Her story highlights the importance of education in fostering community development and ecological stewardship.
