NIH to train Young Medicine Movement scholars for research

Press release

Four Fort Belknap graduates of the Young Medicine Movement Program — YMM — have been selected for research training at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Summer Internship Program — NINDS SIP — in Bethesda, Maryland, and at Northern Arizona University Cultural and Academic Research Experience — CARE — in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Elayna Adams, a 2024 graduate of Chemawa Indian School, Salem, Oregon, has been accepted into the NAU CARE Program. She will train in the lab of Dr. Naomi Lee, Seneca Nation, Director of the CARE Program. Lee’s research focuses on novel vaccine development using self-assembling peptides and virus-like particles to target various sexually transmitted infections. Lee also applies her expertise in biomedical research to improve the health care of American Indians and Alaska Natives through health disparities research, STEM education, and mentoring.

Elayna is the daughter of Lena Stiffarm and granddaughter of Carol Stiffarm. She will attend Aaniiih Nakoda College beginning fall 2024.

Jermaine Brockie, a 2024 graduate of Harlem High School, has been accepted into the NINDS SIP. He will train in the lab of Dr. David Wang, lead scientist in the Neurodifferentiation Unit, Translational Neuroscience Center. Wang helps develop 2D and 3D neural differentiation models using iPSCs and induced neural stem cells derived from minimum patient blood samples to study the mechanism of neural development and the pathogenesis of neural disorders, especially on delineating the genetic and epigenetic modifications leading to motor neuron degeneration.

Jermaine is the son of Bronc and Ang Speakthunder, Fort Belknap Agency, and the late Lance Brockie, Hays. He will attend Aaniiih Nakoda College beginning fall 2024.

Michael Turnsplenty, a 2024 graduate of Dodson High School, has been accepted into the NINDS SIP. He will train in the lab of Dr. Debra Ehrlich, Director of the Parkinson’s Disease Clinic at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Ehrlich’s research focuses on clinical trials of patients with Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders, with a particular interest in deep brain stimulation as a treatment for various movement disorders.

Michael is the son of Joshua and Drew Turnsplenty, Hays. He will attend Aaniiih Nakoda College beginning Spring 2025.

Emjai Stiffarm, a 2024 graduate of Harlem High School, has been accepted into the NINDS SIP. She will train in the lab of Dr. Joseph Steiner, Chief of the Drug Development Unit. Steiner’s research focuses on development of throughput assays for identified targets for drug development using primary brain cells or stem cell derived neuronal and glial cells. 

Emjai is the daughter of Leigha Friedlander and Ignatius Stiffarm III, and the granddaughter of Nancy and the late Ignatius Stiffarm II. She will attend the University of Montana beginning Fall 2024, studying chemistry.

The NINDS Health Disparities in Tribal Communities SIP offers a unique opportunity for talented high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to receive high-quality training and mentoring in neuroscience research. Summer interns get hands-on experience working with leading scientists in the Institute’s Division of Intramural Research. Following participation in the summer program, scholars will be prepared for advanced education and training in biomedical research and future careers in the sciences, particularly in basic and clinical neuroscience. Selected interns spend eight to 10 weeks working side-by-side with NINDS investigators in an environment devoted to the study of fundamental elements of the nervous system, neurological processes, neurodegenerative diseases, movement disorders, brain cancer, and stroke.

The NAU CARE Program aims to increase the number of Native American and underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, math, and medical fields by engaging high school students at an earlier age through culturally relevant training in chemistry, biology, and healthcare fields. The Care Program is directed by Dr. Naomi Lee.

Implemented in partnership with the Fort Belknap Community and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, YMM or Pathway to Nursing, Public Health, and STEMM for Aaniiih and Nakoda High School Scholars is a seven-week summer preparatory program for students pursuing careers in STEMM and health professions. YMM’s two-year curriculum is designed to enhance college readiness, prepare scholars for careers in nursing, public health, mental health, and STEMM-related fields (biology, chemistry, and neuroscience), while strengthening tribal identity through immersion activities in language, art, and culture. Scholars who have completed YMM are supported to apply for the NIH SIP in Bethesda, Maryland and NAU CARE program in Flagstaff, Arizona. The YMM Program team includes Teresa Brockie, Lee, Bobby Pourier, Deserae Killeagle, Francine Stiffarm, Alicia Myrick Werk. Riley Werk will serve as research assistant.