CHEYENNE I. REUBEN-THOMAS
Indigenous Scientist | PhD Student | Cornell University | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Entomology
Shékoli! Kanyʌhtowa•nʌ ni:yukhats.
Onʌyoteˀa·ka· wakenyʌhtʌ niwakiˀtalo·tʌ.
Hello! My Oneida name is Kanyʌhtowa•nʌ and my English name is Cheyenne Reuben-Thomas.
I am an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Turtle Clan,
and of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
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Yaw^ko (thanks) for visiting my page!
I am a PhD Student in Dr. Corrie Moreau's lab at Cornell University in the department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. My work is supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and Cornell University's Dean's Scholar Fellowship.
I am broadly interested in investigating the impacts of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)-Practice Systems on insect biodiversity, population genetics of social insects, and applying Indigenous data sovereignty / supporting Indigenous self-determination in ecological research.
Specifically, I am investigating and comparing the effects of Cultural Fire (traditional/Indigenous-led applications of fire) and agency-led prescribed burns on species and genetic diversity of ants.
FEBRUARY 2024:
I've been invited to join Dr. Melinda Adams at Honorable Chairman Ron Goode's traditional fire workshop this month. I am really looking forward to community building and knowledge sharing with other Indigenous folks in this way.
JANUARY 2024:
I have started onboarding and training multiple undergraduate researchers to assist with insect sorting and identification from last summer's field samples. They will be a major help throughout my first chapter research and analysis!
NOVEMBER 2024:
I presented in the Indigenous Science Symposium at the EntSoc Annual Meeting, discussing how to conduct research in a relational & reciprocal way and to respect/uphold data sovereignty in entomological research. It was a packed room!
IN THE MEDIA:
Please see IN THE MEDIA tab for more.
