“Getting an internship at NASA was the culmination of a lot of work I had done, and many indigenous trailblazers before me, to create a path and a place for indigenous people in places where there might not have been any indigenous people. . in any room,” Yazzie said.
Born in Tuba City, Arizona, Yazzie hails from the Salt Tribe and the Bitter Water Tribe, reflecting his maternal and paternal ancestry respectively. The Navajo tribal system talks about family heritage and where their families come from.
Yazzie’s path to NASA began with a passion for engineering, which he pursued at Stanford University in Stanford, California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2008. NASA is a dream job for many people, from artists to engineers, and Yeezy was a dream for him. No exceptions. Landing an internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2008 was a major milestone for her, especially as an Indigenous person in STEM where Indigenous people are underrepresented. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she often found herself as the only Native voice in a room with Natives representing less than 0.6% of the U.S. STEM workforce.
Yazzie’s work at NASA is deeply intertwined with his cultural identity. In Navajo culture, traditional stories tell how the Din (people) came to be in Danita (Navajo homelands).
Yazzie’s contributions to Mars exploration missions, including testing the Curiosity rover’s sample acquisition system and developing drill bits for the Perseverance rover, resonate with the Navajo creation story, which fostered life on a developing Earth. Emphasize. Mars He approaches his role with a sense of purpose, reflecting the importance of understanding origins – both the Earth and life itself.
“By studying Mars, we learn how rocky, terrestrial planets, like Mars and Earth, formed over billions of years,” Yazzie said, “and by finding ancient microbial life on Mars, we “I can learn how life on earth began. I am proud to do what my ancestors have done before me.”
Emphasizing a commitment to lifelong learning, Yazzie advises future interns to “embrace the growth and learning opportunities that come with working at NASA.” Her advice: Learn how to be a good learner. Yazi’s varied responsibilities, from test engineer to systems engineer, keep him busy and constantly evolving.
“I think I’m most proud of the outreach work that I’ve been able to do, especially to local communities,” Yazzie said. I want them to exist and thrive in places like NASA.”
Yazzie’s work has been recognized with awards from NASA JPL, Stanford University, and his own tribe, cementing his role as a trailblazer for generations. As he continues to contribute to humanity’s understanding of Mars and its potential for past life, he honors his ancestors by paving the way for a more inclusive future in space exploration. Through his work, Yazi inspired a new generation of Diné scientists and engineers, proving that their voices have an integral place in the story of the universe.
Like Yazi, NASA is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of indigenous doers, thinkers, and innovators. Anyone interested in following in their footsteps may consider. Applying for a NASA Internship. Outside of internships, NASA offers a number of avenues to help local students get involved with STEM. Additionally, through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), the agency provides funding through competitive awards to minority-serving institutions. MUREP American Indian and Alaska Native STEM Engagement (MAIANSE) The program offers dedicated funding to help local students launch their careers at NASA.