I try to do this by interacting with staff at the University of Montana and 2 Tribal Colleges. I host tours and visits by groups of Native American students.

I have received a lot of scientific recognition over the years, but I consider my most important accomplishment to be the number of trainees that have gone onto to successful careers in science and medicine.

I was always interested in science and became interested in research into infectious diseases while in Med School and a Pediatric intern at St Louis Childrens Hospital. After that internship, I went to the NIH at Rocky Mountain Labs in Montana and have been here since. I have had a very successful career as a virologist and was appointed to be Associate Director from Science here at RML in 2002.

In Montana, Indian Country covers a huge area, so a concerted effort to bring STEM outreach to the students and communities is a major proble, requiring a lot of time and effort. Programs should be developed to identify Native American students with STEM interests early - like in middle school, and then make it possible for them to participate in age - appropriate STEM outreach

One idea would be for NIH to partner with universities in Indian Country - like Montana - and host STEM-rich summer programs for Native American students.

The tribal colleges represent a huge untapped potential source of Native American students with STEM interests. However, these colleges are very resource poor and often isolated from major STEM centers. Outreach to these institutions is critical, but difficult and time consuming.

I have received a lot of scientific recognition over the years, but I consider my most important accomplishment to be the number of trainees that have gone onto to successful careers in science and medicine.