2025 SPE Annual ConferenceSpeakers

Jessica Begay

Saturday, March 08, 2025 @ 9:00am, Tuscany 12

500 Unheard Legacies

Jessica Begay, MS, is a scientist at the University of New Mexico who is dedicated to using scientific research to develop actionable solutions for health issues caused by environmental factors. Specializing in inhalation toxicology, she has published research on related topics. As a Diné (Navajo) woman from Diné Bikéyah (Navajo Land), she has witnessed the health disparities faced by Indigenous communities, who also endure ongoing social and economic injustices. While research on these issues exists, it is often inaccessible to the public, especially regarding Indigenous communities and environmental health. Jessica aims to bridge this gap by combining science and art to create new ways of communicating and making information accessible, while also educating the public about Indigenous culture and values. She currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she continues her work on inhalation toxicology, exploring its effects on human physiology and its long-term impact on communities.