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English: Navajo Technical University (NTU) was awarded $220,000 for 24 months, in 2018, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Tribal College Research Grant Program, for the Fabrication and Education of Multi-Purpose Nano Electrochemical Sensor to Detect Endocrine Disruptors (Bisphenol Compounds) and Glucose in Navajo Nation project, that is led by NTU Chemistry Associate Professor Dr. Thiagarajan Soundappan, in Crownpoint, NM, on Sept. 9, 2019. Bisphenol also known as BPA can be found items such as receipts from thermal printers, and certain plastic bottles and containers. The research funding provides equipment and staff for the Electrochemical Research wet-laboratory in this one-year old facility.

Robinson Tom (Navajo) (SEEN) and Michael Nelwood are making BPA bio sensors that detect both BPA and glucose without the use of a needle or blood sample. The higher number of diabetes and high use of plastic containers in the Navajo Nation is a clear need for this type of sensor. The lack of nutritional and varied food sources on the reservation (food desert) lowers the community’s immune defense, making them vulnerable to diseases caused attributed to BPA contact and high glucose.

Tom also has experience with radon detection research for USDA, and DoD research developing more efficient battlefield batteries for U.S. servicemen. On a personal side, he has family members who are dealing with diabetes, so his motivation to develop the BPA/glucose sensors are close to him. Nellwood will take over research operations when Tom graduates next semester. Not only will the research be turned over, the will carry on with the in-demand community awareness sessions that teach the tribal community about the health concerns.

Both are U.S. Army veterans.

NTU was initially established in 1979 as the Navajo Skill Center and is the Navajo Nation’s first university. A highly respected land-grant institution, NTU offers technical, vocational, and academic degrees, as well as community education, in a student-oriented, hands-on learning environment with state-of-the-art classroom equipment.

In 1994, 29 tribal colleges received land-grant university (LGU) status, giving them access to federal government resources that would improve the lives of Native students through higher education and help propel American Indians toward self-sufficiency. These resources also support innovative research, education, and extension programs that positively impact agriculture and food production. The 1994 Land-Grants often serve as the primary institution of scientific inquiry, knowledge and learning for reservation communities.

USDA Photo by Lance Cheung, with permission from NTU.

For more information, please see:

nifa.usda.gov/program/tribal-college-research-grant-program

nifa.usda.gov/resource/first-20-years-1994-land-grant-institutions