Building Pathways: ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences Empowers Native American Students in STEM

Tonana Ben, an Arizona State University student who is majoring in Biological Science with an emphasis in Biomedical Studies is an advocate for promoting the representation of indigenous people in STEM professions.

“I believe that our representation matters and is something we should strive for,” stated Ben, who is a member of the Navajo Nation and was named Miss Indian Arizona 1^st Attendant 2024.

To raise awareness for indigenous STEM opportunities and gain experience, Ben joined the ASU–Berkeley Lab STEM Pathways (ABSP) Program, embracing a new academic challenge. “I was lucky to have such a supportive lab group, not only my mentors but the lab as a whole,” Ben reflected, acknowledging that her journey is about more than just science—it's about forging a path for others to follow.

Ben’s story is emblematic of a broader issue in STEM: the stark underrepresentation of Native American students in these fields.

While Native Americans make up 1.7% of the U.S. population, their representation among PhD recipients in STEM is alarmingly low. In 2019, only 32 American Indian and Alaska Native students earned PhDs in STEM disciplines. This imbalance is at the heart of why ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences (SMS) and its researchers are leading efforts through the ABSP program to change the narrative.

For Gary Moore, Associate Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences, co-developer and Project Lead of the ABSP program, the mission is clear: provide Native American students with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to pursue advanced degrees in STEM. "The numbers are small, but the potential impact is enormous," Moore says. "If just one student from this program receives a PhD, it represents a 3% increase in the national total for American Indians in STEM."

ASU, already a national leader in awarding degrees to Native American students, is uniquely positioned to make a difference. In 2019-20, ASU enrolled 3,500 Native American students, 80% of whom were undergraduates. The ABSP program builds on this foundation by giving students like Ben the chance to explore their potential in a supportive environment.

A center on mentorship

At the heart of the ABSP program is its mentorship structure, which fosters a multi-layered exchange of knowledge and support. ASU SMS alumnus Trent Northen, now a scientist at Berkeley Lab who co-developed the program with Moore, is one of the key figures guiding students through the program. Alongside Moore and Berkeley Lab’s STEM Education Program Manager Laleh Coté, Northen helps run and evaluate the program, ensuring it meets the needs of both students and the evolving landscape of STEM.

But the mentorship doesn’t stop there. SMS graduate students like Daiki Nishiori and Lillian Hensleigh, who recently visited Berkeley Lab with Moore, play an equally important role in supporting the undergraduates. Even after defending his PhD, Nishiori continues to mentor, knowing firsthand how impactful it is for early-career scientists to have someone to turn to. “The students are mentors in their own right,” Moore notes, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the relationships the program fosters.

This dynamic creates a learning environment where students and mentors alike grow, exchange ideas, and contribute to the scientific community in meaningful ways. The ABSP program isn’t just about top-down mentorship; it’s a space where Native American students can see themselves reflected in the work and where their knowledge and identities are celebrated.

Celebrating Indigenous identity

One of the most significant aspects of the ABSP program is its commitment to celebrating Indigenous identity and creating spaces for Indigenous scientists at the beginning of their careers.

"We are not just mentoring students to fit into existing structures; we are creating new spaces that celebrate and respect Indigenous knowledge," Moore explains.

This approach is vital in a field where Indigenous voices have long been marginalized. By positioning Native American students as contributors and not outsiders, the ABSP program helps redefine what success in STEM looks like. The ASU students who participated in the program—including Ben, Jonathan Goldtooth, Kaela Henry, and Hannah Nockideneh—aren’t just receiving an education; they’re becoming pioneers for future generations of Native American scientists.

The ABSP program’s impact goes far beyond the lab. It reflects a broader commitment to equity and inclusion in STEM, both at ASU and in the national scientific community. As the program grows, the contributions of ASU’s researchers, alumni, and students will continue to be crucial in ensuring its success.

For Moore and others involved, the work is about more than just numbers or degrees. "The ABSP students may not be directly affiliated with SMS, but they are at the center of what we do," Moore says. "They are the stars, and their stories showcase the importance of our efforts."

In a world where the barriers for Native American students in STEM remain high, programs like ABSP are helping to break them down—one student, one mentor, and one success story at a time.