Daniel was raised in Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo), New Mexico, USA and is an enrolled tribal member. He had the privilege of learning his unique Tribal culture and language through growing up within his community. These early teachings are based upon the interactions with the local and regional environment that have shaped his community for thousands of years. Based upon his upbringing he grew a passion for wildlife biology and earned his Bachelor’s degree in wildlife science at New Mexico State University, and Master of Science in wildlife science at Purdue University. His lifelong goal is to increase Native American representation in STEM fields at the university, tribal, state and federal levels. In addition, he plans to assist tribes in continuing to sustainably manage natural resources while maintaining unique cultures, languages and indigenous ways of living. He currently is at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana pursuing his Ph.D. conducting research in partnership with the Blackfeet Tribe in northwest Montana to better understand the impacts of fences and proposed fencing expansion on elk migration movements and habitat use during parturition within the reservation, Glacier National Park and the Lewis & Clark National Forest.
