Marlee Huskey wanted to further her studies in public health and learn more about her Native American culture. The Michigan Technological University senior found the opportunity to do both through an internship that began with intensive research and ended with a presentation at the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

Huskey, an exercise science major, has a double major in public health and psychology. She graduates in December.

Huskey found openings advertised for the THESIS program on Handshakean online career development network founded by Michigan Tech students and now widely used by universities and employers to more easily connect students to jobs.

THESIS stands for Tribal Health Experiential Internship Seminar. The program offers an eight-week virtual internship focused on promoting tribal public health and preparing the next generation of tribal public health leaders. It is funded by the CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity through their John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Fellowship Program.

The opportunity to explore topics related to Native American culture and resilience caught her attention.

“I am a member of the Chippewa Indian Tribe of Sault Ste. Marie. My father’s side is Native American and my mother’s side is white,” Huskey said. “I grew up mostly surrounded by my mother’s side. Because of this, I didn’t have much experience with my Native American culture. I always had a desire to learn more. That’s why I enjoyed this experience as much as I did – it allowed me to not only learn more about others, but also about myself.”

Huskey was also intrigued by the opportunity to deepen her understanding of areas in which her studies could lead her professionally.

“Because of my interest in the health field and my minor in public health, I thought this would be an incredible opportunity for me to further explore this aspect of my educational journey,” she said .

THESIS is one of seven organizations in the Lewis Scholars Program, operating under the umbrella of the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board in Oklahoma City. The interns explore various aspects of public health, including epidemiology and research, through the lens of Native American culture and resilience, according to a THESIS press release, which notes that “their intensive eight-week journey culminates in creating research posters, which they present at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Huskey’s research topic was “Effects of Long-Term Arsenic Exposure on the Neurological Health of Native American Elders.”

Huskey said her THESIS experience was “extremely eye-opening” and that she particularly enjoyed the inspiring speakers who shared their knowledge and perspectives with the program’s trainees.

“I learned a lot about creating a research poster and specifically about my research topic and the health disparities that Native Americans face,” Huskey said. His research has shown that access to uncontaminated water is an ongoing problem for Native American communities; that the prevalence of arsenic-contaminated wells and water sources is high in states with the nation’s largest Native American populations; and that Native American elders are twice as likely as other ethnicities and races to develop cognitive impairment and neurological disorders. One of Huskey’s most striking observations on the research topic closely tied to health and culture is how long-term exposure to arsenic affects memory.

“Having the chance to present my research at the CDC was incredible, and I met so many wonderful people who were curious to learn more about my topic. »Marlee Huskey ’24, exercise science

“Native American culture is passed down historically from elders,” Huskey said. “Long-term neurological damage from arsenic exposure targets elders and their memories, potentially making it difficult to remember traditions and pass them on.”

Huskey plans to continue his education by attending an athletic training college. Currently in the middle of the application process, she has a few offers and is waiting to hear back from other programs. Wherever her studies take her, she will remember what she learned at Michigan Tech in the classroom and through her work in athletics.

“I decided to come to Michigan Tech because of the incredible opportunity the Athletic Training Student Assistance Program would give me. I was able to work here with many athletic trainers for over 1,200 hours. I gained more experience than I would have gained anywhere else,” she said. “My favorite memories from my undergraduate years are the times I spent with my classmates in this program. Traveling to away games, whether just at NMU or all the way to Texas, has been a lot of fun and a great experience. »

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities in terms of return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate programs in science and technology, engineering, computer science, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences. sciences and arts. The rural campus is located just a few miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.