AISES is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Professional Awards! These prestigious honors recognize the exceptional achievements, leadership, and impact of Indigenous professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
This year’s awardees exemplify the brilliance, innovation, and dedication that continue to inspire current and future generations across Native communities and beyond.
AISES will formally recognize the honorees at the 2025 AISES National Conference, taking place October 2-4 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Additionally, in-depth profiles of the award recipients will be featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Winds of Change magazine—available in print and digital formats during the week of October 1.
Join us in celebrating the best of Indigenous excellence in STEM! Learn more about the AISES Professional of the Year Awards.
Professional of the Year
Dr. Karina L. Walters
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Dr. Karina L. Walters is the director of the Tribal Health Research Office at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, where she leads efforts to advance Tribally informed research, strengthen NIH’s Tribal Consultation efforts, and coordinate American Indian and Alaska Native research across NIH and federal agencies. A recognized scholar and Indigenous health leader, Dr. Walters is the creator of the groundbreaking “Indigenist Stress-Coping Model,” which has revolutionized understanding of how historical trauma and contemporary discrimination impact Native health outcomes. Her work continues to shape policies and research that honor Tribal sovereignty and center Indigenous knowledge systems.
Blazing Flame
Dr. Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda
Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian)
Dr. Kelsea Kanoho Hosoda is an assistant professor and director of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Hosoda integrates Indigenous knowledge systems with biomedical education, creating pathways for Native Hawaiians and other underrepresented students to thrive in science and medicine. Dr. Hosoda is a leading voice in developing innovative frameworks that demonstrate how professional and cultural identities can be harmoniously integrated in driving systemic change. Through her leadership, she is helping to reimagine medical education in ways that honor cultural values while advancing equity and excellence.
Executive Excellence
Robert Turner
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe
Robert Turner is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Financial Services at Kyndryl. With over 30 years of experience in the banking and payments industry, he has held senior leadership roles at prominent financial institutions, including Capital One Financial Services, Dollar Financial Group, The Clearing House, MUFG Americas, and the Federal Reserve. Throughout his career, Turner has been recognized for driving innovation in payment systems, particularly through the strategic use of cloud technologies. He has consistently demonstrated expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and security challenges, helping global organizations modernize operations while maintaining trust and compliance.
Indigenous Excellence
Jennifer Randell
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Jennifer “Kno Kwe ‘Eagle Woman'” Randell is Co-founder and Director of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Eagle Aviary, one of the first Native-run aviary facilities in the United States. For over 17 years, Jennifer has led efforts to integrate traditional Potawatomi teachings with advanced animal care, telemetry research, and wildlife rehabilitation practices. Randell is a powerful role model for Indigenous youth and adults in STEM, exemplifying how traditional knowledge and modern science can not only co-exist, but thrive together. Through her visionary leadership, she has created a rare and transformative space where Indigenous values shape scientific practice, and where the next generation of Native scientists can see themselves represented in veterinary sciences and environmental stewardship.
Most Promising Engineer/Scientist
Dr. Cherie De Vore
Diné/Navajo Nation
Dr. Cherie De Vore is an assistant professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona, and the first Native American professor in the history of the university’s School of Engineering. She serves as Principal Investigator of the Níhí Biogeochemistry Environmental Engineering Laboratory where her research bridges engineering, environmental science, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Dr. De Vore’s work is driven by an unwavering commitment to Indigenous environmental justice, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the empowerment of underrepresented voices in STEM. Her leadership and scholarship are redefining the role of engineering in addressing environmental challenges in climate resilience, wildfire recovery, and metal contamination—particularly in Indigenous communities.
Technical Excellence
Dr. Franklin Dollar
Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians
Professor Franklin Dollar is the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the University of California, Irvine School of Physical Sciences and a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. A globally recognized expert in high-intensity laser-matter interactions, his research focuses on the fundamental and applied aspects of high energy density science. With over eighty publications, Professor Dollar is a leader in his field and contributes extensively through service on numerous professional associations and governmental appointments. His work continues to shape the future of laser science.
About the AISES National Conference
The AISES National Conference has become the premier event for Indigenous STEM professionals and students, attracting over 3,500 members and attendees from the United States and Canada, and as far away as Alaska and Hawaiʻi.
The annual AISES National Conference is a one-of-a-kind, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development! Attendees include Indigenous high school and college students, educators, professionals, tribal nations and tribal enterprises, universities, corporations, and government agencies.
The National Conference works toward achieving the AISES mission by providing students and professionals access to career pathways, professional and leadership development, research, and networking that also meaningfully incorporates Indigenous culture into this signature event. Take advantage of the unparalleled opportunity to connect and network with conference participants who have a passion for STEM and who want to discover and learn from the most influential people and institutions in STEM.
The National Conference is designed to have something for everyone—whether you are exploring AISES for the first time, starting your AISES journey, or continuing your journey as a national conference expert.