Back to IRB Information
Beth Michel, Chairwoman
Beth Michel is a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation from the Baboquivari District. Michel received a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona.
Naomi Tom, Vice Chairwoman
Naomi Tom is a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation from the Chukut Kuk District and grew up in Laveen, AZ and currently resides in Coolidge, AZ. Her late grandparents were Lloyd (Kiabab Paiute) and Evelyn Tom (Tohono O’odham). Her late father was Sander Tom and mother is Mary Ehlers (Italian, German and Irish descent).
Tom’s educational background includes an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education in History from Glendale Community College; Bachelors of Science from Arizona State University in American Indian Studies with a minor in History; Master of Science from Arizona State University in American Indian Studies (Indigenous Rights and Social Justice) with a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration. Her expertise is in American Indian research policies, with her Master Thesis titled, “Protecting Tribal Nations through Community Controlled Research: An Analysis of Established Research Protocols within Arizona Tribes” and in 2021 published a book Chapter titled, “Moving Toward Community Controlled Research: An Analysis of Research Policies of Arizona Tribes With Implications for Indian Country”.
Tom has been in higher education since 2012 and worked at Tohono O’odham Community College from 2015 to 2021 in the capacities of the following positions: Recruiter & Transition Coordinator; Adjunct Faculty in Casino Gaming and American Indian Studies; Academic Advisor; Dean of Student Services. Tom currently works at the Curator of Education at Himdag Ki:.
Lisa Palacios, Secretary
Currently serving as Secretary for the Tohono O’odham Institutional Review Board is Lisa S. Palacios. Palacios is from the village of South Komelic, Baboquivari District.
Susan Warmack, Elder Member
Susan was born in Ajo, Arizona, and grew up in the mountains of Cu:kud Na:k in the District of GuVo, on the Tohono O’odham Reservation. Her heritage is deeply rooted in Arizona history combining ancestry with a long line of traditional Native Americans as well as one of Arizona’s premier pioneers.
Susan attended Indian Oasis Elementary School in Sells, Arizona, graduated from Casa Grande High School, and holds a BBA in Marketing and an MBA in Management from Texas A & M University.
Susan’s philanthropic and volunteer endeavors are many. She is committed to her faith, her family and her O’odham community. Susan is married and has three grown children and one grandchild.
