The UM-SPIRIT investigators (Drs. Daunert, Deo, Page, and Toborek) visited the Environmental Resource Management Department of the Tribe and established personal contacts with Ms. Lisa Meday and Ms. Cherise Maples, who is the Director of this Department.

Our discussions with the Tribe’s environmental specialists have centered around a UM-Seminole collaboration in different fronts, including research projects and the involvement of the Tribe’s school children in training and research. Our efforts received an initial approval from the Tribe Council to pursue a collaboration between the Tribal Offices of Environmental Resource Management and UM. Since then, the Department of Environmental Resource Management has sought and obtained participation by the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Department of Tribal Health. These additional partnerships were forged at a meeting on April 4, 2016 at the Official Tribe Headquarters, further cementing our on-going collaboration and commitment by all stakeholders to achieve the goals of the proposed project.

Visit to the Department of Environmental Resource Management of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Tribe is represented by Dr. Cherise Maples (Director) and Ms. Lisa Meday. UM-SPIRIT members are Drs. Daunert, Deo, Page, and Toborek.