Lani Tsinnajinnie

Lani Tsinnajinnie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico (UNM), affiliated with the School of Architecture + Planning. She specializes in hydrology, climate adaptation, and Indigenous community planning. Her research focuses on mountain watershed dynamics, groundwater-surface water interactions, and climate change impacts on Indigenous water resources, particularly in the Navajo Nation. She has collaborated with tribal organizations and holds leadership roles in multiple water-related initiatives.

Education:

• PhD, Earth + Environmental Science, New Mexico Tech (Dissertation: Hydrology)
• Master of Water Resources, University of New Mexico
• B.A. Native American Studies, University of New Mexico
• B.S. Environmental Science, University of New Mexico

Research Interests:

• Mountain and watershed hydrology
• Climate change adaptation strategies for Indigenous communities
• Groundwater-surface water interactions
• Community-based watershed planning
• Indigenous research sovereignty and data governance

Awards:

• 2020 UNM Advance Women In STEM
• 2013 U.S. EPA STAR Fellowship

Grants & Projects:

• Co-PI, Transformation Network (UNM)
• Senior Personnel, Center for Water and the Environment
• NM Co-PI, Cultivating Indigenous Research Communities for Leadership in Education and STEM (CIRCLES) Alliance
• Co-PI, Indigenous Land and Data Stewards Lab collaboration (Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center)

Affiliations:

Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission Commissioner (representing Eastern Navajo Agency).