Biography
Maria, a member of the Diné Nation, is Áshííhi (Salt Clan) born for Dibé łizhini (Black Sheep). Her maternal Chei is Tłizilani (Manygoats) and her paternal grandpa is Tłizilani (Manygoats). She joined the center in March of 2024. She works as the Senior Research Site Coordinator II in Tuba City, Arizona and is involved in the program support and implementation of the Strong Fathers program, the follow up with the Family Spirit Program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program. Prior to joining the center, Maria worked with Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation and Southwest Research and Information Center in coordination with the Navajo Birth Cohort Study for 10 years, investigating the impact of uranium and other heavy metals on birth outcomes. She assisted with clinical work in the Womens’ Clinic, Labor and Delivery and Laboratory teams to collect biological samples. She transitioned to field work to gather data from home environmental assessments and has assisted with the neurodevelopmental assessments.
It is through this work that Maria also developed a passion to help mothers and birthing parents in her community and has become a full-spectrum doula and Indigenous lactation counselor for her hometown community. Maria has a BA degree in psychology from the University of Arizona and graduate experience in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University where Maria developed an interest and skillset in research and working for tribal communities, like the Cherokee Nation and Osage Nation in the behavioral health field. In her spare time, Maria enjoys motherhood and marriage with her family in Tuba City. Outside of work her interests include learning her language and supporting community members in birth work and lactation journeys as well as scrapbooking, reading, jewelry making and planting. She also enjoys bird watching and attending various sports events with her family.