| Native American Scientists is part of the Capstone Short Biographies Series from Capstone Press. This series is designed to introduce the life work of scientists in an easy-to-read format and provides students with information about possible career opportunities. This title celebrates the lives of five Native American men from a variety of Nations and backgrounds and their careers in the sciences. The short biographies focus on Fred Begay (Navajo/Ute, 1932- ); Wilfred F. Denetclaw, Jr., (Navajo, 1959- ); Frank C. Dukepoo (Hopi, 1943-1999); Clifton Poodry (Seneca, 1943- ); and Fred Begay (Navajo 1932- ). The book begins with a simple explanation of a scientist and what they do. A chronological overview of each man's life is described and includes his home community, his education, and the connection between his cultural traditions and decision to become a scientist. The work of each scientist is listed and how this contribution adds to scientific knowledge. Yakel is a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina. Poodry is a geneticist with the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. Begay is a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Dukepoo was a geneticist and taught biology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Denetclaw is a zoologist who works at the University of California where he is searching for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is a positive look at the role of five Native Americans in the field of science. Science terms are highlighted in bold and a helpful glossary of these new terms is provided. A colour photograph is provided for each scientist and the book contains an index and bibliography. |
