CHEYENNE I. REUBEN-THOMAS
Indigenous Scientist | PhD Student | Cornell University | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Entomology
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 a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Turtle Clan,
and of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
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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.
Investigating the Impacts of TEK on Insect Biodiversity with a LandBack Framework
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.
Currently, I am investigating and comparing the effects of Cultural Fire and agency-led prescribed fire on overall biodiversity of insects and genetic diversity of a particular ant species.
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I'm incredibly passionate about community-driven research and outreach. I spend much of my free time leading local workshops and presentations, educating folks of all ages about various topics such as Indigenous Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, insects, and fire ecology!
I made a very brief appearance on a local news segment covering the One Cubic Foot Project! This project, which first kicked off about 10 years ago, is in partnership with the Seneca Park Zoo, NatGeo, and the Smithsonian. I spent some time helping them identify some insects to assess changes in biodiversity over time.
As SING-Canada faculty, I traveled to Sábme territory in Northern Sweden to help facilitate a community-led workshop investigating impacts of windmill development on Sámi reindeer herding.
I've completed my second summer of fieldwork! This season, I hand collected two species of ants, A. occidentalis in CA and L. pallitarsis in WI. Although tough, this work was very rewarding!
IN THE MEDIA:
Please see IN THE MEDIA tab for more.
Indigenous Education, Inc. (IEI) Cobell Scholar News:
2025 Cobell Graduate Summer Research Fellow
Cornell Chronicle Feature:
Grad student grants support sustainability, biodiversity
Cornell Graduate School Announcement:
EEB Doctoral Student Named Cobell Fellow