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SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA - John Sequoyah Aldridge, a tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation, recently earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB). It is believed that less than five American Indians have ever received doctoral degrees in the field of physics.

"I have always been good at math and physics," Aldridge said. "I kind of fell into the physics field over the years. I like physics because you learn how to solve many different kinds of problems that you may face."

Aldridge began his college education at the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California in San Diego (UCSD). While in college, he received a Ronald McNair Baccalaureate Research Fellowship and was awarded a National Science Foundation Minority Fellowship.

Aldridge is currently employed by CALTECH as a research engineer in the condensed matter physics department. He is developing novel fabrication processes in support of nanoelectromechanical systems based sensors and actuators.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org