Biography
Elvira is a member of the Diné/Navajo Nation and is of the Tséníjíkiní Clan (Honeycombed Rock People) and born for the Tóahaní Clan (Near the Water People). She is originally from the Chinle and Kitsili/Black Mesa area and has lived most of her life on the Navajo reservation. She joined the Center in June of 2020 as a Research Program Supervisor with the Infectious Disease team in Chinle, AZ.
Prior to joining the Center, Elvira worked exclusively with her husband, as co-owners and advocates for Navajo-owned and operated small businesses, as they continue to provide educational guiding services in Canyon De Chelly National Monument. She also dedicated 15+ years to volunteer work for the Chinle public school system, primarily focusing on grades K-6. It was her passion of teaching and public service that led her to the Center; to educate, advocate, promote self-resiliency and improve the health in her community. Elvira currently works on various infectious disease studies, including the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials, the HibVax Study, RSV & Covid-19 Surveillance in Native Americans and the Long-Term Follow-Up sub study, as well as the Active Bacterial Surveillance study. The work and results created from all studies gives her and her team the opportunity to support and aid in implementation of healthcare policy and development, ultimately leading to enhancing the quality of healthcare and quality of life for Indigenous people.
Elvira studied at Diné College and Northern Arizona University, majoring in healthcare and nursing. In her spare time, Elvira loves to travel, being outdoors, is a foodie, and is always up for an adventure, whether it be in another country or in her backyard, tending to the family sheep and farm.