Meet Our Team
Core Team
Click on our pictures to learn more about us!
Darold Joseph is a faculty member at Northern Arizona University. He is leading the My Health My Choice program with Julie Armin. His goal in working with the My Health My Choice program is to help women with disabilities ask for the health care services they want to get.
Julie Armin is a teacher and cancer researcher in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is also affiliated with the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. She is leading the My Health My Choice program with Heather Williamson. Julie’s goal in working with the My Health My Choice program is to improve cancer care for Native American women with disabilities.
Chris Segrin studies interpersonal and family relationships, particularly between cancer survivors and their informal caregivers. This research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, the LiveStrong Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. His role in the MHMC project is to help better understand the relationship between care providers or supporters and women with intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Segrin is PI on an American Cancer Society research grant to study the effects of a symptom management intervention for rural cancer survivors and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life.
Email: segrin@arizona.edu
Add Tomás’s full bio here...
DeeDee James (She/Her) is a Diné (Navajo) woman, originally from Promise Rock, AZ, and currently residing in Flagstaff, AZ. Her matrilineal line is of the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water clan), born of the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House clan), with maternal grandfathers from the Kinłichíí’nii (Red House clan) and paternal grandfathers from the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan). DeeDee serves as a Research Coordinator, supporting Indigenous-focused public health initiatives. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and a master’s in public health (MPH) with an emphasis in Indigenous Health, both from NAU. Her passions include collaborating with Indigenous communities to reduce disparities and enhance community well-being through kinship, education, and culturally responsive initiatives.
Project Highlights:
DeeDee contributes to community-engaged research projects that address health equity among Indigenous populations. Her recent work includes supporting studies focused on cancer outcomes, maternal and child health outcomes, environmental health concerns on the Navajo Nation, and strengthening culturally grounded research practices.
Hello! My name is Jessica Onsae and I am Hopi from the village of Munqapi. I am a wife and mother to 3 beautiful children. I am currently working as a Community Health Educator with the Native American Cancer Prevention Program through Northern Arizona University.
Dynnika serves as the Health Educator at the Tucson Indian Center with the My Health My Choice (MHMC) program. She provides culturally responsive cancer education, prevention resources, and health promotion activities that uplift and empower Native American women with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD). She is dedicated to equipping participants with the knowledge and tools they need to make confident, informed health decisions. Dynnika’s work reflects her commitment to advancing community wellness and addressing health disparities.
Community Partners
Tucson Indian Center
Hopi Cancer Support Services
Meet our Community Advisory Committee Members
CAB Member, Diné (Navajo)
Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities (University of Arizona)
Agnes Attakai, MPA, a citizen of the Diné (Navajo) Nation, is Director of the Circle of Indigenous Empowerment at the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, College of Medicine University of Arizona. Agnes has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Arizona and a Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professionals from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As director, she engages and collaborates with Tribal Nations in Arizona on training and services in response to the identified needs of Tribal members with disabilities across the state. Agnes is on the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition board and appointed to the AZ Statewide Independent Living Council (AZSILC).
Agnes Attakai (She/Her)
Jon Meyers (He/ Him)
Disabilities Advocate
AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Phoenix, AZ
Jon Meyers became Executive Director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in March 2022, after serving as Executive Director of The Arc of Arizona since 2013. In his current role he oversees advocacy, public policy, and grantmaking programs to promote greater inclusion and opportunity for Arizonans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Jon’s background in the non-profit sector spans more than 35 years and ranges from the arts and education to social services and animal welfare. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University with degrees in Theatre Arts and History. He and his wife live in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kyrie Dukepoo (She/Her)
Tribal Liaison, Gila River Indian Community
Kyrie Dukepoo is the current Tribal Liaison with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Health Choice, with over 10 years of management experience and knowledge. With 8 years of diabetes prevention experience, specializing in maternal health, children's health and wellness. Education includes a bachelor’s degree in Women's Gender & Studies, minor in Family & Human Development, emphasis in Early Childhood Development from Arizona State University, and a Master of Science Degree in Family & Human Development from Arizona State University.
Darren Vicenti
Population Health Advocate, Hopi
Kykotsmovi, AZ
Graduate of University of NM, School of Medicine, Family Medicine Specialty. Sun Clan, and Child to the Deer Clan (Zuni). Retired CMO, IHS-Hopi Health Care Center. Passionate Advocate and Consultant for Population and Public Health for Hopi and all native people.
Student Trainees
Ashlynn Salaba
Ashlynn is a member of the Navajo and Apache tribes. She spent most of her life living on the Navajo Reservation in a small community called Hardrock alongside her four younger siblings. She is currently an undergraduate student preparing to begin her junior year at Northern Arizona University, where she is majoring in Psychology with a focus on working with Native communities in public health.
Ashlynn is passionate about promoting mental health awareness, cultural responsiveness, and accessibility, while improving support services for underserved populations. Through her studies, she hopes to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in Indigenous communities by advancing health, healing, and resilience.
Michele Lee
Michele Lee is a PhD student in Interdisciplinary Health at Northern Arizona University. She also works as a research coordinator for The Institute of Human Development.
Sansita Sing
Sansita is a senior at the University of Arizona pursuing a degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and is expected to graduate in May 2026. Originally from Peoria, Arizona, she enjoys reading, traveling, and attending concerts. As part of this project, Sansita focuses primarily on policy analysis. Following graduation, she plans to attend medical school to continue her education and pursue a career in healthcare.
Bailey Lockwood
Bailey holds degrees in Anthropology and German Studies from the University of Arizona. Her research explores the representation of Native American women with IDD in health surveillance and the factors that shape data disparities for this group.
Celeste Núñez
Celeste started her work with this project in 2020. Her career goal is to become a physician and help bridge language barriers across our Spanish speaking community. She holds a degree in Medical Studies from Arizona State University.
Andria Begay
Ya'at'eeh! My name is Andria Begay and I have worked with the project during my time at Northern Arizona University and am now a doctoral student at the University of North Dakota.
Aliana Bekis
Hello! My name is Aliana Bekis. I'm currently studying for my bachelor's in Psychology and Social Work. I am Navajo from Fort Defiance, Arizona as well as Hopi and Blackfoot. I am currently working as a Student Researcher with the Native American Cancer Prevention Program through Northern Arizona University.
Emile Saad
Emile is a Physiology student at the University of Arizona. His research interests include studying health disparities present in Indigenous communities and exploring mechanisms of vascular disease at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.
Camryn Cupp
Camryn Cupp holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Tennessee. She is currently working on her doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University