The Illustrious Alumni of Our Department
Degree(s) Received:
SKC Research Topic:
Current Position:
Caleb Marceau
AS 2007 (SKC)
BS 2009 (PSU)
PhD 2017 (Stanford)
Sulfolubus extremophiles
(Scientist II) NGM Biopharmaceuticals in San Francisco
Josh Marceau
AS 2007 (SKC)
BS 2009 (Penn State)
PhD 2017 (UM)
Sulfolubus extremophiles
DEI Program Manager - Fred Hutchinson
Katie McDonald
AS 2007 (SKC)
BS 2010 (UM)
MS 2013 (UW)
Mercury in osprey & lake trout
Tribal Policy Advisor
Noel Higgins
AS General Science 2010 (SKC)
BS Education 2016 (SKC)
E. Coli source tracking
HS Teacher, Browning, MT.
Jamie Cahoon
ASN 2010 (SKC)
BS 2013 (SKC)
BSN 2014 (SKC)
1) E. coli source tracking. 2) Salix-based OChem education modules
Head, Diabetes Program, Conf. Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Amy Stiffarm
BS 2012 (SKC)
MPH 2017 (UM)
PhD 2023 Indigenous Health (UND)
1) Phage hunting/sequencing. 2) Flowering Rush genetics
Research Assistant, James Bell Associates, Missoula, MT.
Robert Bruton
AS 2012 (SKC)
BS 2014 (UW)
Mercury in seals
USDA research chemist
Wastewin Smiley
BS 2013 (SKC)
1) Ledum antioxidants. 2) Mercury in lake trout/seals.
Rachel Brown
AS 2014 (SKC)
Immune response to proteins isolated from extremophiles from the Berkeley Pit, Butte, MT
Joined military
Now deceased
Loretta Grey Cloud
BS 2015 (SKC)
MPH 2018 (JHU)
Phage infection genetics
Admin Coordinator - Johns Hopkins
Trey Saddler
BS 2015 (SKC)
MS 2024 (WGU)
1) Hair mercury levels in indigenous populations. 2) Mercury in Lake trout/seals
Data Scientist – NIEHS
Marthe Van Sickle
BS 2015 (SKC)
Immune response to proteins isolated from extremophiles from the Berkeley Pit, Butte, MT
Completed post-bac - NIAID RML Entered law school in 2017 (UM)
AJ Somers
BS 2016 (SKC)
1) Repressor gene sequences in bacteriophages. 2) GC-MS analysis of PCBs in fish/seals
Associate Researcher, Bristol Myers Squibb
Meg Sherry
AS 2017 (SKC)
Protein expression from Pichia pastoris
Job in law enforcement, Polson, MT.
Mariah Friedlander
BS 2017 (SKC)
1) Isolation of proteins from extremophiles from the Berkeley Pit in Butte, MT. 2) DNA isolation for immune response tracking
Hydro-electric position through SKC tribal energy
Felicia Blandov
AS 2018 (SKC)
Detection of Hg methylators and demethylators in Flathead Lake
Transfer to University of Alaska in 2019-2020 (home community/dental program)
Japhanna Burns
BS 2019 (SKC)
1) Immune reactions of human lung cells from Hantavirus-like particles. 2) Detection of Hg methylators and demethylators in Flathead Lake
Montana State University, Dept. of Microbiology. Ph.D. program, Jan. 2020.
Audrey Romine
BS 2019 (SKC)
MEd 2021 (CU)
Hantavirus protein studies for innate immune reaction
Applying to Physical Therapy programs
Cheyne Littlesun
BS 2020 (SKC)
Comparison of soil microbiomes from natural & managed ecosystems on the Flathead Indian Reservation
Graduate School, Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB) at University of Washington
Mary "India" Ortgies
BS 2020 (SKC)
MS 2021 (MT Tech)
Inflammatory & growth response of human microglia after environmental chemical exposure
Industrial/Environmental Hygienist
Marshand Vasquez
BS 2021 (SKC)
1) Structure-function of mitochondrial TOM proteins. 2) Culturally responsive biomedical education.
Applying to medical school
Marietta Stringer
BS 2021 (SKC)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish species in Flathead Lake
Phlebotomist; Applying to graduate school
Danny Obrecht
BS 2021 (SKC)
Digital production of biomedical information during the COVID-19 pandemic
Pharmacy School, University of Montana
Rachel Matt
BS 2021 (SKC)
Assessment of diabetic outcomes using the differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell model system
Pharmacy School, University of Montana
Niché Brown
BS: Env Health 2022 (SKC)
Community-based air quality sensor network on the Flathead Indian Reservation
Graduate school in toxicology, University of Montana
Nabreekka Cox
BS: Env Health 2022 (SKC)
Senior Capstone
Maranda Crandall
BS: Cell Biol 2022 (SKC)
Measuring sugar content in wild huckleberries from the Flathead Indian Reservation
Applying to medical school
Courtney Stinger
BS: Cell Biol 2022 (SKC)
GC-MS detection of plasticizers in local garden produce
Employed locally as a technician and sales associate
Spencer Dawson
BS: Env Health 2023 (SKC)
Detection of RNA splicing in breast cancer
MEDEX Northwest-Physicians Assistant (PA) program, University of Washington-Spokane
Amber Hamm
BS: Cell Biol 2023 (SKC)
Detection of Hg methylators and demethylators in Flathead Lake
Research coordinator in the SKC Extension Office
Aliyah Skunkcap
BS: Cell Biol 2024 (SKC)
Microbiomes from animals on the Flathead Reservation
Considering PA Schools
Kimberly Matt
BS: Cell Biol 2024 (SKC)
Genetic analysis of pollinator species on the Flathead Reservation
Considering Dental Schools
Brianna Harris
BS: Cell Biol 2024 (SKC)
Hg methylators in the Flathead Lake
Medical Laboratory Technology program, Flathead Valley Community College