HELIOS Lab
AI-Era Impacts on Indigenous Peoples in Biomedical Research
2024–present
Project images coming soon
Ethnographic field research exploring how AI tools in biomedical research affect Indigenous communities, through Stanford Medicine’s HELIOS Lab.
Context
Graduate Research Assistant at HELIOS Lab (Stanford Medicine), part of the NIH Bridge2AI initiative and AI-READI consortium. AI is being rapidly integrated into biomedical research pipelines, but the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples—whose data, land, and communities are directly affected—are largely absent from the design and governance of these tools.
My Role
Co-developed interview protocols. Conducted 30 ethnographic interviews. Delivered findings to tribal partners. Currently designing functional prototypes for tribal community use.
The Challenge
How do you center Indigenous voices in AI governance when the technology is being developed at a pace that outstrips community consultation? How do you conduct research that is genuinely reciprocal—that gives back to the communities it studies?
Process
Co-developed culturally responsive interview protocols within a community-engaged research framework centered on reciprocity and trust. Conducted 30 ethnographic interviews on AI-era impacts across biomedical research contexts. Synthesized peer-reviewed literature spanning AI governance, Indigenous data sovereignty, and digital ethics. Delivered preliminary findings to tribal partners including the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Outcome
30 ethnographic interviews completed. Preliminary findings delivered to tribal nation partners. Functional prototypes in design for tribal community use. White paper forthcoming, targeting CSCW and ACM FAccT.
Reflection
This is the direct line from my philanthropy career to my design work. At Buffett and Packard, I saw how research and strategy failed to center the communities they were supposed to serve. At HELIOS, I’m doing the work of centering those voices—specifically Indigenous voices in AI—and turning research into usable tools.