PULLMAN, Wash. Ralph Young is looking to the future for the Colville Tribe, working on developing biofuels from canola in north-central Washington.
He is also developing the human side of the equation through education and community engagement programs for Native Americans at Washington State University. And he’s accomplishing this even before he receives his Bachelor of Science in general physical sciences Saturday at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.
The biofuels research effort grew out of a visit by Young to the Colville Indian Reservation several years ago, looking for financial support for the annual Washington State University Pah-Loots-Pu Powwow Celebration.
While meeting with the tribal council, a member asked Young about research on biofuels that might help the tribe eventually become energy independent, powering their fleet of logging trucks on what they could grow themselves. That led to a conversation between Young and USDA-ARS scientist David Weller in Pullman.
For the last two years, Young and others at the USDA-ARS program have traveled to the reservation to work on canola-crop pilot plots. At the same time, they have become involved in the education of Native American and other rural school children, ultimately to support whatever biofuels industry makes the most sense for the Colvilles and their neighbors.
Every month, Young and others perform demonstrations and offer hands-on experience in science and mathematics at the Nespelem Grade School on the reservation. They also host a science camp at Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak, one of the only science camps in the nation that go to the reservation to teach the children in their own community.
Young, the third child of six being raised by his mother Renita and step-father Scott Kemp of Yakima, is a member of the Cowlitz tribe. He hopes to be able to continue his work with the tribal communities after graduation.
“Ralph is passionate about his research on the ecology of beneficial bacteria, and brings this passion to our science outreach program by teaching in Native American schools, mentoring high school science interns, and helping to organize science camps at the Paschal Sherman Indian School,” said David Weller, Young’s research mentor for the past three years.
Young is the first member of his family to complete high school. He received his associate degree in applied sciences from Yakima Valley Community College before coming to WSU in 2005.
“Ralph is truly an exceptional student. I cannot express how proud I am of him and what a tremendous role model he is,” Weller said.
