Native American Research Lab - Biological Sciences

Native Science, Native Needs

NARL Personnel

Photo of Michael Ceballos, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Michael Ceballos (Tepehuan)
Position:	Research Assistant Professor
Field:	Integrative Microbiology and Biochemistry
Interests:	The general focus of my research is characterizing protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions in virus-host systems. Two systems of particular interest are the: (1) Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Reverse Transcriptase; and, (2) Sulfolobus Spindle Virus proteins. Currently, there are several research projects underway in the NARL related to each of these systems. In addition to studying host protein-viral protein interactions, I am also interested in how chaperonin proteins from extremophile organisms may be assembled into arrays and used as binding platforms in cellulolytic ethanol production. [For more information about projects, click the Research link on the NARL home page].
E-mail:	rmichael.ceballos@umontana.edu

Photo of Gail Tangjaipak, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Gail Tangjaipak
Position:	Lab Manager
Field:
Interests:	I am interested in biochemistry. In particularly, how natural biochemical processes may be used to promote sustainable energy use.

Student Researchers

Photo of Jackson Chief Elk, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Jackson Chief Elk (Assiniboine)
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Chemistry (Biochemistry option)
Interests:	I am interested in biochemistry. In particularly, how natural biochemical processes may be used to promote sustainable energy use.

Photo of Nicole Jefferson, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Nicole Jefferson (Crow)
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Mathematics and Biology
Interests:	My interests include applying mathematics to modeling biological systems including but not limited to host-parasite interactions.

Photo of Jessica Wissenbach, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Jessica Wissenbach
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Microbiology
Interests:	Currently, I am interested in learning how to culture archaeal thermophiles in order to study the physiological characteristics of these microorganisms under different conditions of stress. In particularly, I would like to explore the changes in protein expression that occur as conditions change in the natural habitat.

Photo of Patryce Caye, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Patryce Caye (Kootenai)
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Ecology and Organismal Biology
Interests:	Currently, I am investigating structure-function relationships in viral proteins from the Feline Immunodeficiency virus. I am interested in using differences/changes in protein structure and function as a means to study virus evolution.

Photo of Kayleigh Blair, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Kayleigh Blair
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Biology
Interests:	I study hyperthermoacidophiles with the goal of understanding how changes in habitat (physical and chemical) result in adaptation in extreme environments.

Photo of Michael Ceballos, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Ahmad Baig
Position:	Undergraduate Research Assistant
Field:	Pre-pharmacy
Interests:	I am interested in natural products biochemistry and studying how simple organisms defend against viral challenges.

Other Personnel/Affiliates

Photo of Joshua Marceau, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Joshua Marceau (Salish)
Position:	Undergraduate Intern (Penn State University)
Field:	Biochemistry
Interests:	Currently, I am completing my bachelor’s degree at Penn State University. I work with the NARL at The University of Montana during semester breaks and summers as an intern assisting on the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus reverse transcriptase project. Upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I hope to return home to Montana and continue my studies as a graduate student.

Photo of Caleb Marceau, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Caleb Marceau (Salish)
Position:	Undergraduate Intern (Portland State University)
Field:	Biology
Interests:	My interests include molecular biology, cellular biology, and biochemistry. I work with the NARL on breaks and during the summer as an intern studying heat-shock proteins from Sulfolobus species. I will finish my bachelor’s degree at Portland State University in the Spring of 2009 and will enter a graduate program in Montana during the fall of 2010 where I hope to continue my work with the NARL.

Photo of Wastewin Smiley, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Wastewin Smiley (Navajo/Alaska Native)
Position:	Undergraduate Intern
Field:	Biochemistry
Interests:	I am a student at a tribal college in western Montana. I am working with the NARL on a periodic basis studying heat-shock proteins. My goal is to transfer to The University of Montana in the Fall of 2008 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry.

Photo of Blake Wombold, a Native American Research Lab (NARL) lab member

Name:	Blake Wombold (Karuk)
Position:	Undergraduate Intern
Field:	Pre-Med
Interests:	Currently, I am completing an associate’s degree in general science at a tribal college. My goal is to enter a pre-med program at The University of Montana. I work as an intern at the NARL to gain research experience in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Affiliated Faculty

Ken Stedman (prof Portland State Univ)
Martin Lawrence (prof MSU)
Jonathan Trent (NASA Ames Research Center)
Bill Holben (UM)