Graciela “Zonnie” Olivas

Yá’át’ééh shí éí Graciela “Zonnie Bah” Olivas yinishyé. Hashk'ąą Hadzohí nishłi Naakai dine'é báshíshchíín Naakai dine'é ei dashinalí dóó Tsénjikíní ei daschicheii.

My name is Graciela “Zonnie Bah” Olivas. I am yucca fruit strung out in a line clan born for the Mexican people clan. My paternal grandmother's clan is the Mexican people clan and my maternal grandfather's clan is the cliff dwellers people clan. This is my introduction in my Navajo language, an important part of my cultural identity as a Native woman. I am from Buckeye, AZ and transferred to the University of Arizona after earning my associate degree from Estrella Mountain Community College. I’m in my senior year and will soon complete my Bachelor of Science in Public Health. I aspire to then obtain a Master of Science in Environmental Health, and ultimately complete a doctoral program in epidemiology.

My journey into the field of public health began early in my life, however, I was not aware of it at the time. Growing up, I looked up to my grandfather Walter Shurley, who was exceptional for his generation. Despite his humble beginnings as a sheepherder on the Navajo Reservation, my grandfather would work hard, pursue higher education, and serve his Navajo people for 36 years as a Public Health Educator for the Indian Health Service. I recall listening in awe to my grandfather’s stories of his experiences and how he helped people improve their lives with better health & wellness practices. To this very day, my desire to serve my Native people and follow in my grandfather’s footsteps is the driving force behind the attainment of my Public Health degrees.

Being a research intern on the Hopi Environmental Health project has enriched my undergraduate experience by preparing me to apply for graduate school and allowing me to continue to build my skills as a researcher within a field that I am passionate about. In fact, this project is what confirmed my interest in Environmental and Occupational Health, and I plan to pursue Environmental Health in my graduate studies. It’s extremely rewarding to know that the implications of this project will further develop our understanding of the relationship between environmental exposures and human health. From my experience thus far, engaging in research has taught me to problem solve, utilize critical and independent thinking skills, and collaborate effectively with others. These are all vital skills that are applicable to both my pursuit of higher education and career in public health.

Accepted & Presented Research Abstracts/ Posters

  • “Prevalence of Depression in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients”
    Authors: Graciela Olivas, Silvia E. Smith PhD, Mary Beth Scholand, MD
    Presented at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in STEM (SACNAS) 2018 Annual Conference (San Antonio, Texas)
  • “Increasing Cultural and Linguistic Competence of the Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities”
    Authors: Graciela Olivas, Jacy Farkas, MA, Julie Armin, PhD
    Presented at the 2018 Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Annual Conference (Washington, D.C.)

Competitive Internship Program Participation

  • University of Utah Native American Research Internship | Salt Lake City, Utah
    Undergraduate Research Intern | May 2018 – August 2018
  • UA Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities | Tucson, AZ
    Undergraduate Diversity Research Fellow | October 2017- August 2018
  • UA Border Latino & American Indian Summer Exposure to Research Program | Tucson, AZ
    Undergraduate Research Intern | June 2017- August 2017

Awards & Scholarship

  • MEZCOPH Chicanos Por La Causa Academic Scholarship Recipient | Fall 2018
  • American Indian & Indigenous Health Alliance Dr. Lopez Scholarship Recipient | Spring 2017
  • Office of Navajo Nation & Financial Aid Chief Manuelito Scholarship Recipient | December 2016-Present
  • University of Arizona Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honors Scholarship Recipient | August 2016- Present
  • University of Arizona American Indian Alumni Scholarship Recipient | August 2016 –Present