SOUTH DAKOTA: EPSCoR Graduate Student Spotlight on Elisha Yellow Thunder

South Dakota State University

When her first-born was diagnosed with kidney failure and received the first of two transplants at age 9, Elisha Yellow Thunder wondered if her diagnosis had to do with the water quality near their home. Due to these experiences and the potential impact of this research on her community, Yellow Thunder felt determined to study the risk assessment of arsenic mobilized nitrates in the Arikaree aquifer on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Her hypothesis is that nitrates are becoming mobile in the water due to the arsenic found in the geological formations. With the arsenic mobilized nitrates being carcinogenic, she feels it is worthwhile to look at the rangelands and formations and understand the potential correlations.

“[Without SD EPSCoR], I don’t think I would be where I am today … living a life I never thought was possible growing up. I cannot express how much EPSCoR has helped me to achieve my dreams. I am forever grateful to EPSCoR and my OLC mentors.” said Yellow Thunder, a graduate researcher at SD State University.