Meet our Principal Investigator
Cherie L. De Vore, Ph.D.
Civil & Environmental Engineering, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, Mentor: Jose M. Cerrato
Postdoctoral Research Scholar, NSF Earth Science Postdoc Fellowship Soil Biogeochemistry, Earth Systems Department
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, SFA Floodplain Hydro-biogeochemistry Group
Assistant Professor, Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona
Associate Faculty, Indigenous Resilience Center
Dr. Cherie De Vore, Diné, comes from the beautiful high desert community of Crownpoint, NM in eastern Diné (Navajo) Nation. Her clans are Tł'ááshchi'í (Red Bottom People), Dziłt'áá' Kinyaa'áání (Atop the Mountain Towering House,) Ashįįhí (Salt People) and Táneeszahníí (Tangle People). She received her Ph.D. in civil & environmental engineering at the University of New Mexico under the mentorship of Professor José Cerrato. She was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Earth Science Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct research at Stanford University from 2020 to 2023. She examined ecological post-fire recovery in metal-rich and non-serpentine wildland landscapes in California. Cherie was also an associate postdoctoral fellow at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory investigating colloidal transport of metals in the Floodplain Hydro-Biogeochemistry research focus group. Dr. De Vore now leads the Níhí Biogeochemistry Environmental Engineering laboratory group as a new Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at UArizona. Her current work investigates biogeochemical mechanisms that affect the mobilization of inorganic contaminants and microbial community changes for the purpose of engineering bioremediation efforts in rural and underserved communities. Cherie is also an associate faculty member of the Indigenous Resilience Center to address food, energy and water solutions in Indigenous communities.
Cherie is passionate about mentoring the generation of community leaders, offering a holistic approach that integrates multiple knowledge systems and praxis. Cherie serves as the Vice President of the UA Native Faculty Group and is the co-advisor for the UA AISES Chapter. Outside of research, Cherie enjoys spending time with her family, coffee (campfire to craft), growing food, archery & marksmanship, hunting, martial arts, playing/collecting soul records, and participating in Diné ceremonies.