RURAL MEMORY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement Specialist
Dr. Paniagua Guzmán received his PhD in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He joined Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team in July 2022. Dr. Paniagua Guzmán's areas of specialization include cultural sociology, qualitative research methods, and ethnography.
Job Titles:
- Analyst
- Research Associate
- Qualitative Analyst
Brandy Arredondo is a qualitative analyst responsible for the data analysis of multiple community-based research projects with Indigenous and rural communities. She specializes in culturally-responsive research that centralizes the lived experiences of individuals and communities. She earned her MA in Applied Anthropology from the University of South Florida
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Community Based Researcher
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Dana Ketcher, PhD, MPH
Senior Research Associate
Dr. Ketcher joined Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team in September 2021. She received her PhD (Applied Medical Anthropology, 2019) and MPH (Global Communicable Disease, 2011) from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Ketcher is working on the NIH/NIA funded Indigenous Cultural Understandings of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias-Research and Engagement (ICARE) R01 project and provides support for the International Indigenous Dementia Research Network (IIDRN).
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Dr. Josh Fergen joined Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team in January 2022. He received his PhD in rural sociology at the Ohio State University. Dr. Fergen works on research coordination for Community Engaged Rural Dementia and Alzheimer's Research (CERDAR) projects focusing on rural issues related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, including preventative exercise programs and socio-cultural barriers to clinical research.
Job Titles:
- Community Based Researcher
Job Titles:
- Senior Community Based Researcher
Job Titles:
- Community Based Researcher
Dr. Jacklin is a medical anthropologist. Her research focuses on chronic disease care for Indigenous peoples, including investigations concerning aging; cognitive health and dementia; diabetes; and Indigenous health/medical education. She is the principal investigator for MK-MDT's first NIH grant: Indigenous Cultural Understandings of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia - Research and Engagement (ICARE). Dr. Jacklin is the founder of the International Indigenous Dementia Research Network and the Indigenous Cognition Awareness and Aging Awareness Research Exchange (I-CAARE.com).
Job Titles:
- Community Based Researcher
Job Titles:
- Analyst
- Research Associate
Ms. Dertinger is a qualitative analyst and is responsible for research activities that assist multiple research projects focused on dementia, diabetes, Indigenous diet, and other age-related chronic conditions in rural and Indigenous communities. She holds a MA in Psychological Science from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Associate
Dr. Soderlund has a Ph.D. in nursing and a clinical background as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She is a senior research associate at the MK-MDT, and the study coordinator for Community Engaged Rural Dementia and Alzheimer's Research (CERDAR) projects.
Mr. Bright is a research specialist who assists the MK-MDT on various research efforts. He specializes in GIS and data presentation and management. He holds a MA in Geography from the University of North Dakota. He also is on staff with the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, UMN Medical School, Duluth Campus.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Director of the American Indian Learning Resource Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth
- Elder in Residence
Rick J. Smith, M.Ed, is the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team Elder in Residence. Elder Smith is a teacher and knowledge keeper who provides guidance, insight, and spiritual understandings to faculty, staff, and students of the MK-MDT. He is currently providing guidance on the formation of an Indigenous Advisory Committee for MK-MDT.
Rick has been the Director of the American Indian Learning Resource Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth for over 30 years. He is a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. He has a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Education degrees from the University of Minnesota. In addition, he has served as an Independent Consultant for the Blandin Foundation for 17 years, as a Cultural Liaison for the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program. He has been involved with Indian Education for over 35 years, regionally and nationally.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director, Rural Health Initiatives
Dr. Warry is a medical anthropologist specializing in Indigenous and rural health and health systems research. He is the former Director of the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research CRaNHRat Laurentian University. Dr. Warry has been PI on a number of large interdisciplinary, community and patient-oriented research programs concerning Health Equity. He has conducted community based participatory research concerning Indigenous dementia, including a multi-sited foundational study documenting cultural perceptions and attitudes toward dementia and caregiving.