In another installment of CCC’s Weekly Computing News, we are sharing an impactful collaboration between The National Science Foundation (NSF) and Navajo Technical University (NTU). This partnership gives Navajo students the opportunity to build solutions for issues that help their communities. 

Navajo Technical University partners with NSF center, creating new opportunities in materials research and education

Since its inception in 2017, the collaboration between NTU and NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Harvard University has opened new avenues for Navajo students to pursue advanced degrees in science and engineering. 

NTU’s collaboration with Harvard concentrates on materials research topics crucial to the Navajo community. This includes the development of electrochemical sensors and microfluidics, technologies with practical applications such as detecting heavy metal contamination in groundwater stemming from defunct mines. 

Students are also exploring biofuel cells, automotive studies, and biodegradable polymers, aiming to revolutionize various areas including environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and agriculture. Through their dedication to bridging traditional knowledge with cutting-edge research, these students exemplify the transformative impact of the Harvard-NTU collaboration, envisioning a future where science serves as a catalyst for positive change in Indigenous communities.

Through this partnership, the aim is to empower Navajo students while simultaneously addressing critical challenges affecting their community.

Read more about this partnership here.