Native American and Indigenous Scientist Highlights

  • Susan Picotte

    “I am a dreamer who dreams, sees visions, and listens always to the still, small voice. I am a trail-blazer." – Susan Picotte

  • Lori Alvord

    The first Diné (Navajo) to become board certified in surgery.

  • Jerry C. Elliott

    “I made airplanes and flew them to see if they could touch the clouds . . . There were no astronauts then. But I knew someday, people would fly in rockets and go to the stars.” – Jerry C. Elliott

  • Fred Begay

    The first Native American to receive a Ph.D. in Physics.

  • Erik Sorensen

    “If you’re Native American and you grow up worshipping nature, you don’t naturally gravitate to a field like chemistry. But I did. I became inspired by [chemical] transformations as a young student.” – Erik Sorenson

  • Mary G. Ross

    The first known Native American engineer and notable engineer in the field of aerospace design.

  • David Ngunaitponi (Unaipon)

    “As a full-blooded member of my race I think I may claim to be the first – but I hope, not the last – to produce an enduring record of our customs, beliefs and imaginings.” – David Ngunaitponi (Unaipon)

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