Previous Award Winners

2008 Awardees

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Professional of the Year Award: Jason Cummings, Ph.D.
Dr. Cummings is an enrolled member of the Lumbee and Coharie tribes. He currently works as a semiconductor development engineer at IBM where he is responsible for developing and implementing novel semiconductor fabrication processes that are integral to the invention and innovation of advanced technology. He earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Princeton University where his thesis research focused on understanding the interaction of antimicrobial peptides with self-assembled model membranes mimicking those of pathogenic cells. This work is of fundamental importance to the ongoing development of antibiotics, particularly for HIV treatment and prevention. All the while, Jason has remained active within the Native community through membership in student and professional Native associations as well as volunteering for various Indian organizations.

Executive Excellence Award: CAPT Jeffrey Trussler
Captain Trussler is the Commander of Task Force SIX NINE for the US Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy. He is responsible for all Submarine and Undersea Warfare operations in the waters near Europe and Africa. Previously he was the Commanding Officer of USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738)(Blue). He has served on 4 submarines, completed the rigorous Naval Nuclear Propulsion Engineer certification, served on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board as an inspector for submarines and aircraft carriers, and has had 2 tours at the Navy Personnel Command in human resource, assignment policy, and career management. In 2006, he was selected as the Naval Submarine League’s recipient of the Rear Admiral Jack Darby Award for “Leadership and Excellence in Command”. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and his M.A. in Managerial Economics from the University of Oklahoma. Captain Trussler is originally from Miami, Oklahoma and is a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Technical Excellence Award: Jacklin Adams
Jacklin Adams is a member of the Wyandot tribe of Kansas. She is currently the Senior Technical Staff Member and Senior Engineer leading the Center of Excellence for Environmental Compliance within IBM’s Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) World-wide Engineering organization. She received her B.S. in Plastics Engineering with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. As a member of the ISC, Jackie co-developed a process for identifying and developing recycled resins for the manufacture of business machines. She also developed manufacturing and tool design concepts that enabled greater pre and post consumer recycled resin usage in the industry. Beyond this, Jacklin is active in mentoring and recruiting for IBM’s Native American new hires.

Most Promising Scientist/Engineer: Nathaniel Todea
Nathaniel Todea of the Navajo Nation is a State Hydraulic Engineer for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Nathaniel recognized a fundamental commonality between NRCS mission statements, Navajo ideology, and his personal beliefs about the importance of harmony between people and their natural environment. He not only is committed to excellence and high quality work as a hydraulic engineer but also as a recruiting cadre member for NRCS. He earned is M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico and a B.A. in Anthropology from Fort Lewis College.
 

Previous Winners

Professional of the Year Award
2007: Lorena Hegdal, Inupiaq Eskimo
2006: Frank Martinez, Navajo
2005: Nancy Jackson, Seneca Nation of New York
2004: Richard Kevin “Savik” Glenn, Inupiaq Eskimo

Executive Excellence Award
2007: Gary Bishop, White Earth Ojibway
2006: Ray Hanes, Cherokee
2005: Johnpaul Jones, Choctaw/Cherokee
2004: Richard Stevens, Pala Band of Mission Indians

Technical Excellence Award: Chris J. Cornelius
2007: Stanley Atcitty, Ph.D., Navajo
2006: Chris J. Cornelius, Oneida
2005: Mark Hakey, Abanaki tribe, St. Francis-Sokoki Band
2004: Not awarded

AISES Promising Engineer/Scientist Award
2007: Tara Astigarraga, Choctaw
2006: Bevan Bass, Navajo
2005: John DeBassige, Ojibwe
2004: Aaron Thomas, Ph.D., Navajo