Biography
F. Leah Nez is a PhD student in the Bioethics program at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, where she looks to explore bioethical questions within genomics, Indigenous health, and community-engaged research ethics. With a background in both philosophy and biology, Leah earned dual Bachelor’s degrees from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her interdisciplinary focus gives her insight into complex ethical dimensions of biomedical research, particularly in cultural considerations and Indigenous sovereignty in health policy. Leah’s previous experiences were in roles as a PIKE-PREP Scholar at the University of Colorado (CU) Anschutz Medical Campus and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, where she worked with scholars in Tribal health research. At the NIH, she was mentored by Dr. Sara Hull in the Tribal Health Research Office before moving to Dr. Katrina Claw's laboratory at CU to focus on community-centered approaches to genomic research with Indigenous communities. These experiences helped frame her understanding of ethical frameworks for biomedical research with Tribal communities. Her work has been presented at several national conferences, including the ELSI Congress in 2024 and SACNAS in 2023, and she has facilitated at the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board Conference. She was also an active member of the Navajo Nation Genetics Policy Development Working Group, contributing to ethical policy development around genetic research within the Navajo Nation. Leah has been recognized with honors such as the AISES Sequoyah Fellowship and NIH Student Spotlight. She is passionate about building diverse perspectives in bioethics, dedicating her time to mentorship and promoting inclusive narratives that honor the values and sovereignty of Indigenous communities.
Research
Research Interests
- Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) in Research
- Indigenous Research Ethics
- Cultural Considerations in Research Policy
- Ethical Frameworks in Biomedical Research
Research Projects
SING Focus Groups: The Summer internship for Indigenous peoples in Genomics (SING) focus groups were conducted with SING faculty and alumni to understand how the program helped build and support networking and collaboration for participants. I co-facilitated the focus groups, assisted with recruitment, led data analysis, and am currently drafting a manuscript based on the findings.
Diné Genetics Cultural Framework: Diné scholars are working to build a cultural framework to give insight into the Diné worldview on genetics and genomics research with the Diné people. This project contributes to the alignment of research with community-based practices, centering Diné values to reinforce cultural perspectives and ensure respectful engagement in genetics and genomics research.
Awards and Honors
AISES Sequoyah Fellow – October 2023
Professional Memberships
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) - Lifetime Member
- Society for Advancing Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) - Student Member​
Publications
Presentations
“Impacts and Implications of the Summer Internship for Indigenous peoples in Genomics Workshop", ELSI Congress, New York, NY, June 2024
SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference (Poster), Portland, OR, October 2023
Summer internship for Indigenous peoples in Genomics, Flagstaff, AZ, July 2023
Annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium, Denver, CO, April 2023
Education
Bachelor of Science, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Biology, 2021
Bachelor of Arts, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Philosophy, 2021
Residencies, Internships, and Fellowships
Research Assistant / PIKE-PREP Scholar
University of Colorado (CU) Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO | June 2022 – June 2023
Assisted in research with Tribal communities in Dr. Katrina Claw’s lab, focusing on cultural considerations in genomics research. This work emphasized developing community perspectives that highlight Indigenous values, working to support a culturally sensitive approach to biomedical research.
Health Disparities in Tribal Communities Program Intern / Post-Baccalaureate Fellow
National Institutes of Health (NIH), NHGRI, Bethesda, MD | September 2021 – June 2022
Conducted research in the Tribal Health Research Office under the mentorship of Dr. Sara Hull, focusing on learning ethical frameworks for future research policy with Indigenous communities. This foundational experience highlighted the importance of respecting cultural perspectives and community values.
Areas of Expertise
- Indigenous Research Ethics
- Cultural Considerations in Genomics
- Community-Engaged Research
Specialties
- Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) in Biomedical Research
- Qualitative Research with Indigenous Communities