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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
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2009 College Student Interns

A photo of three female student interns standing side by side with their female leader and mentor. All are wearing matching brown polo shirts.

Pictured left to right at the 2009 AISES National Conference in Portland, Oregon: Suzanne Singer, Gepetta Billie | Sandra Begay-Campbell, and Prestene Garnenez.
Photo from Sandia National Laboratories

Learn more about the Tribal Energy Program's 2009 college student interns, including their educational backgrounds, research papers, a testimonial, and photo.

Suzanne Singer (Navajo)

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of California–Berkeley, California
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of California–Berkeley, California
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Gepetta Billie (Navajo)

Degrees:

  • M.C.R.P. Community & Regional Planning, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • B.A. Environmental Planning & Design, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • A.A.S. Civil Engineering Technology, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Research paper: Renewable Energy: Planning for Sustainability & Self-Determination for the Navajo Nation

Prestene Garnenez (Navajo)

Degrees:

  • M.A. Urban Planning, University of California-Los Angeles, California
  • B.S. Biology & minor in Mathematics, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Research paper: Green Gas Stations: A Guide for Tribally Owned Gas Stations

Intern Testimonial

"I think what I learned that is important in all the tribes we visited, is the importance of 'ownership' of the project. If you're investing part of what you have—your time, money, energy, pride—into these projects, [then] the projects can be successful, long-lived and sustainable."
— Prestene Garnerez