Dorothy Castille
Power Words
Where were you born?
New Iberia, Louisiana
What school did you attend?
University of California at Berkeley; Columbia University
What gained you interest in the NIH?
The ability to have a larger impact on the direction of health research and to support a diverse scientific pipeline.
How can you help improve the composition of the STEM education pipeline for Native American students?
Through career counseling, providing training and coaching in the NIH grantsmanship process, working with students through structured presentations, virtual technical assistance webinars, and mentorshsip.
What is your most important accomplishment to date?
Calling attention to the strengths and needs of people within AIAN tribes through research advocacy and other acitivities to support resarch by and for and in Native communities.
How did you choose your career?
To understand the role of culture in health.
What types of community programs do you feel need to be more visible in Indian Country?
Programs that address community identified needs in a manner consistent with community held values and preferences.
What are ways to provide better STEM education for Native American students?
Introducing students to the many opportunities for work in science at a range of levels of skill and educational attainment. Programs like the NINDS-NIMHD Summer Internship Program in Health Disparities is an example.
How can Tribal colleges build stronger partnerships with institutions like NIH?
Seeking out partnerships that can create pathways to more opportunities for students and providing emotional, social and economic support for the difficult and frightening steps in the educational process.
What does success mean to you?
Meaningful contribution to creating opportunities for all.