Frank C. Dukepoo

Frank Charles Dukepoo (January 29, 1943 – October 28, 1999) was an American geneticist, educator, and bioethics advocate from the Hopi community. He was the first member of the Hopi Nation to receive a PhD in human genetics and was known for his work on the genetics of Indigenous populations, his opposition to unethical DNA research, and his contributions to increasing Native participation in STEM.

Early life and education Dukepoo was born on January 29, 1943, in Parker, Arizona. He was one of 13 children and was originally named Pumatuhye Tsi Dukpuh. Pumatuhye means "first crop," and Tsi Dukpuh refers to the sack carried by Hopi snake dancers, who pray for rain to help crops grow.

He attended Arizona State University, where he received multiple scholarships, including the Arizona Republic News Carrier Scholarship, the United Indian Scholarship Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Scholarship, the John Hay Whitney Opportunity Fellowship, and the Ford Foundation Advanced Study Fellowship. Despite receiving support, he struggled in college, failing his first semester and losing his scholarships. However, with guidance from Charles M. Woolf, he improved his grades, regained financial aid, and continued his studies.

Awards and recognition Dukepoo received several awards during his lifetime, including recognition from AISES and honors noted in community and educational sources. Other listings include the Iron Eyes Cody Medal of Freedom and the Bo Jack Humanitarian Award. He was named Indian of the Year and also nominated for induction into the Native American Hall of Fame in 1995. In addition, Dukepoo was recognized as the Hopi of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 for service to Indian people.

Dukepoo's career and life were documented in Marion E. Gridley's Indians of Today (1971) and Laura Baskes Litwin's Native American Scientists (1996). These works described him as one of the first Hopi geneticists, noted his early challenges, and outlined his contributions to Native education and science. These publications also recognized him as a national role model for Native American students.

Selected publications and public work

Woolf, C. M.; Dukepoo, F. C. (1969). "Hopi Indians, Inbreeding, and Albinism". Science. 164 (3875): 30–37. doi:10.1126/science.164.3875.30. Dukepoo, F. C. (1998). "Genetic Services in the New Era: Native American Perspectives". Community Genetics 11(3): 153–160. Harmon, S. H. E. (1999). "It's More Than the Human Genome Diversity Project". Politics and the Life Sciences 18(2): 359–360. Harry, D.; Dukepoo, F. C. (1998). Indians, Genes and Genetics: What Indians Should Know About the New Biotechnology. IPCB.