Taymee Brandon (Chippewa, Ojibwe)
Ph.D. Student
Field of Study
Environmental Engineering
Hometown
Havre, MT
Education
Chemistry, B.S. from the University of Montana (2016)
Graduated cum laude with University Scholar Distinction through the Davidson Honors College
Environmental Engineering, M.S. from Montana Technological University (2019)
Thesis: Functional Implications of Microbial Community Characteristics in Bio-Electrochemical Denitrification
Research Focus
Investigating the use of surface-modified biochar for the removal of trivalent and hexavalent chromium from tannery wastewater in Arequipa, Peru through the Arequipa Nexus Institute Soil and Water Quality Project. Also, researching colorimetric methods of arsenic detection for application in developing an enzyme-based field arsenic kit.
Major Advisors
Co-advised by Professor Chad Jafvert and Professor Inez Hua
Professional Organization Membership:
Member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society
Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Member of Iota Sigma Pi the National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry
Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society
Member of the Pacific Northwest Circle of Success: Mentoring Opportunities in STEM (PNW-COSMOS) Alliance funded by NSF
Honors, Grants, Awards and Activities:
2018 - Present, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Scholarship
2017, 2019, Recipient of the A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship through AISES
March 2019, American Indian Graduate Center Student of the Month
2017 - 2019, Montana American Indian Student Scholar through the Montana University System
2016, Recipient of the Mortar Board Outstanding Senior Recognition Award from the University of Montana Chemistry Department
2016, University of Montana’s Analytical Chemistry Award
2011 - Present, Gates Millennium National Scholar through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
2011 - 2016, Presidential Leadership Scholar and Honor Student Association Member through the Davidson Honors College of the University of Montana
2017 - 2018, Member and volunteer through the Montana Tech Chapter of AmeriCorps
2009 - 2019, Kiwanis International Service Organization Member