Research & Academics
Space exploration goes underground
For millennia, caves have served as shelters for prehistoric humans. Caves have also intrigued scholars from early Chinese naturalists to Charles Darwin. Cave ecologist Jut Wynne has been in and out of these subterranean ecosystems, examining the unique life forms—and unique living conditions—that exist in Earth’s many caves. But what does that suggest about caves on other planetary bodies? In two connected studies, Wynne, along with dozens of co-authors including engineers, astrophysicists, astrobiologists and astronauts, lay out the research that needs to be done to get us closer to answering the old-age question about life beyond Earth. 
Humans of Flagstaff
Humans of Flagstaff: Monika Damron
There’s a good chance that at any moment, digital media coordinator manager Monika Damron has a child strapped to her back while she climbs a mountain. Find out how she spends her days **cough** hiking **cough, what inspires her at work and how she lives her Native American heritage. 
Views from NAU
The Anthropology of Star Trek: Boldly taking undergraduates where no one has gone before
Star Trek: Voyager's Commander Chakotay was the first Native American scientist Justin Lund saw on TV. It presented to him an option he'd never considered. Today he's an Indigenous anthropologist and teaching a course that uses Star Trek to study how present-day and past concerns of society and science are presented to public audiences. Campus & Community
For nursing grad, advocating for the Navajo Nation is her future
Nicole Pablo's first placement as a nursing student was at Tséhootsooí Medical Center in Fort Defiance at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was unimaginably difficult but, motivated by commitment to her community, she kept working, treating people hospitalized with the virus and later giving vaccinations. She returned to Fort Defiance for her preceptorship and now, as she graduates, she plans to continue serving and advocating for her community on the Navajo Nation. At each step of the way, Pablo pushed forward, motivated by two important people who will be with her in spirit when she crosses the stage at commencement. 
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? For one NAU grad, the answer is ja.
Valerie Pietrczak, who graduates in December, has kept busy during her time at NAU. She's had three internships, including a six-month-long stint at Audi HQ in Germany; she is in the NAU Wind Symphony, which went to the national championship this year; and she's a member of the Honors College. As for what's next, well, figuring that out is part of the fun. Give back this Giving Tuesday
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that encourages everyone to give. But when money is tight, giving monetarily is not always an option. Erin Kruse, director for of the Center for Service and Volunteerism, encourages our campus community to give back by volunteering—something we all are afforded the opportunity to do with NAU’s Community Engagement Policy. With those hours set to expire at the end of the year, now is the time to use them! 
