Wendy Todd

Wendy F. K’ah Skaahluwaa Todd (née Smythe) is an American geomicrobiologist known for her work to increase Native American representation in STEM field. She is Alaska Native Haida and holds the position of assistant professor of Indigenous Science and occupational endorsement at the University of Alaska Southeast.

Early life and education Todd is Alaska Native Haida from the Xáadas (Haida) clan of Sdast’ aas (Fish Egg House).

Todd received her bachelors degree in microbiology in 2001 & B.S. in science with a minor in geology in 2004 from Portland State University (PSU). In 2015, Todd received her doctorate in Oceanography/Environmental Science & Estuary & Ocean Systems from Oregon Health and Sciences University. and facilitating the cross-cultural exchange of knowledge in the development of science curriculum. Todd is committed to this cross-cultural knowledge for the benefit of Indigenous students, that students would be able to integrate Traditional Knowledge with Western academia rather than feel compelled to sacrifice one of their knowledge systems in order to honor the other. Through the geoscience education program in Hydaburg, Alaska, which she founded in 2007, Todd’s work has facilitated a significant increase in the number of Indigenous students who opt to pursue secondary education in the STEM field. This work was significant because there had been little previous work on the morphological features of manganese oxidizing bacteria. By examination of the morphological features of manganese oxidizing bacteria, Todd proposed that researchers can begin to understand the ancient geomorphological conditions under which they developed, providing further insight into Earth’s geologic processes. Todd’s goal through this program was to acknowledge Alaskan natives' concerns about development and extractive industries in their traditional territories and create a space where these concerns can be addressed through a program designed to blend traditional western science with TEK to meet the needs of indigenous students.

Open Rivers Magazine: Todd has served as associate editor for this magazine from January 2024 to the present.

University of Minnesota Duluth: Todd served as the Dr. Howard High Holt Endowed Professor full-time from August 2019 to August 2024. In this role, she was faculty in American Indian Studies, teaching courses for the Master of Tribal Resources and Environmental Stewardship (MTRES) Program and Earth & Environmental Sciences.

Community Editorial Board (University of Minnesota Duluth): Todd served as the chair from August 2020 to June 2024. This board is a formal international body of members with passion for and expertise in literature based in Native American/Indigenous culture and ways of knowing. The members also possess the credentials to critically review such literature.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Todd was an AAAS Science Technology & Policy Fellow hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) from September 2017 to August 2019. AAAS: Todd is an Education Section Steering Committee Member at Large from January 2023 to present.

Michigan State University: Todd was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Michigan State University from November 2015 to September 2017.

Professional of the Year, awarded October 2019 by the American Indian Science & Engineering Society.

Commemorations In 2021, artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya created a mural in Seattle, Washington, inspired by Todd’s work in science as a Haida woman. Entitled “Everything Depends on Everything Else,” the mural, which illustrates the Haida phrase “Áajii ‘wáadluaan uu gud ahl Kíiwaagang” meaning “Everything is connected,” was ceremonial blessed on September 12, 2021 and is scheduled to be displayed until 2026.