Ian Nez of Diné College

Ian Nez, a proud member of the Navajo tribe, is currently pursuing a Master of Science in biology while maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA. His academic journey has been marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence; each “A” he earns is a steppingstone toward securing scholarships that ease his financial burdens.

Beyond the classroom, Ian passionately practices silversmithing in the evenings, using the proceeds to fund his travels to laboratories at Diné  College’s Tuba City and the Tsaile campuses for his thesis work. “Time management has become my greatest ally,” he reflects. “Education has opened up diverse perspectives for me, especially when faced with challenges like testing water quality for bacteria.”

Native Americans, particularly the Navajo people living in the United States, are four times more likely to be infected with Helicobacter pylori compared to other populations. Cases of H. pylori-associated gastric and peptic ulcers remain accelerating within the Navajo Nation’s Western Agency. Since the treatment of H. pylori-related gastric ulcers requires a combination of multiple drugs rather than a single medication, addressing the source of infection is critical. Ian is investigating the presence of H. pylori’s unique virulence markers (cagA and vacA genes) in water samples collected from the Navajo Nation to identify potential environmental reservoirs and help eliminate the root cause of infection.

For Ian, education has been both a busywork and a ladder to new opportunities. He embraces the obstacles that come his way, viewing them as necessary hurdles that build resilience. Inspired by his father’s mantra, “There’s always something to do, and every day is a new day, so do it right the first time,” Ian approaches each task with determination and purpose.

Looking ahead, Ian aspires to enter the medical field to prevent backlogs in hospital laboratories as a medical laboratory scientist. His love for lab work is akin to cooking; both require following recipes to create products from various reactants. He also applies these meticulous skills to his silversmithing, crafting delicate earrings that reflect his artistic talent.

Ian completed his BS in biology at Diné College, funded entirely by scholarships from Navajo Nation Scholarship and the American Indian College Fund. Through his undergraduate and graduate studies, he secured internships across Diné College, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, and the University of New Mexico, where he honed his laboratory skills. Recently, Ian received job offers from Fort Defiance Hospital Board but is committed to finishing his master’s before embarking on this new chapter.