March 19, 2025
By Chloe Arrington

March has been recognized as Women’s History Month around the world for over three decades and serves to highlight and celebrate the achievements of and continue the fight for equality for women in every field. In this insightful Q&A, Research Engineer Taryn Harvey talks about her background and current work in the Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Controls (EPIC) Lab, how the women in her family have inspired her, and the influence she aspires to have as an Indigenous woman in STEM.
 

Introduce yourself! Can you tell us a bit about your background?

Yá’át’ééh, shí éí Taryn Harvey yinishyé. Kinłichii’nii nishłį́ dóó Honágháahnii báshishchíín. Nímasii dashicheii dóó Todich’ii’nii dashinalí. Kinłanídę́ę́’ náashá. Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́.

Hi, my name is Taryn Harvey. I am Red House born for One Walks Around. My maternal grandfather is Irish, and my paternal grandfather is Bitter Water. I am from Flagstaff, AZ. This is what makes me a Diné (Navajo) woman. It’s tradition to introduce ourselves in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language) to establish k’é (kinship).

I received my B.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. I previously conducted gait analyses for children with musculoskeletal movement disorders at the Center for Gait & Movement Analysis at Children’s Hospital Colorado. In graduate school, my master’s research at Northern Arizona University focused on how an ankle-assistive exoskeleton affects balance during perturbed walking. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Atlanta, playing soccer, and hiking. Born and raised in the Southwest, I never thought I’d live so far from home, but it’s been a worthwhile adventure!
 

Can you talk about your current role?

I am a research engineer I in the EPIC Lab, where I support multiple graduate student teams to ensure research progress, standardization, and data integrity. I also manage our Human Augmentation Core (HAC) Lab spaces and lead a new project investigating agile, athletic human movement – which is an exciting challenge! What drives me is the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in wearable robotics and biomechanics while constantly learning and evolving within the field.
 

What are some of the challenges you've faced in your current position?

Transitioning from a more structured clinical environment to the fast-paced, dynamic world of a university research lab was a big adjustment. As research faculty, graduate students are my direct contacts and some weeks there are no set hours – graduate students work consistently. Work-life balance can be tricky, and some weeks are better than others.

Another challenge has been the lack of a visible Native American community on campus. Representation matters, and I miss having that cultural connection in my day-to-day life. I’m learning to navigate these spaces and hope to create more visibility for Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on campus.
 

Who are some women of history, and present day, that are inspirations to you?

The matriarchs in my family and life are my greatest inspirations. My mother was part of the first generation in our family to go to college, paving the way for my success. My grandmother faced tough circumstances yet built a foundation that allowed our family to grow. My three sisters are brilliant, strong and ambitious. My older sister serves in the military and my two younger sisters are pursuing college degrees. I’m also constantly inspired by the incredible women I call friends. They support me, challenge me, love me, and remind me why having a strong community is so important.
 

Is there a woman that history forgot who you would encourage people to learn about?

Yes, Mary Golda Ross! She was the first known Native American woman engineer (according to modern standards). She worked for Lockheed Martin for over 30 years as an aerospace engineer, contributing to top-secret research as part of the Advanced Development Projects group, also known as Skunk Works. Her resilience as a Native woman in a male-dominated field inspires me.
 

Looking back, what would you tell young women coming into their careers, and is it the same thing you wish someone had told you?

I would focus on two main ideas, the first being that your journey is your own. Try not to compare yourself to others and go at your own pace, steadily. I constantly need to remind myself of this! The second is to find your community. A support system can make all the difference. When I look back at my experience, I wish I had actively sought out women in my field earlier in my career. It’s easy to get caught up in the work, but having a network will help you grow and thrive.
 

How do you hope to impact your field or community through your work?

At the EPIC Lab, we’re pushing the boundaries of exoskeleton controls and applications, with the ultimate goal of improving mobility and quality of life. I hope my work contributes to groundbreaking advancements in wearable robotics and biomechanics to assist those with movement disabilities. On a personal level, I want to be a role model for Indigenous students in STEM. I hope to support and encourage Indigenous students to pursue careers in STEM.
 

How do you stay motivated to continue to grow professionally and personally?

For me, it comes down to community and purpose. I believe that many Indigenous scientists share a common goal – to take what we learn and give back to our communities. When I think about the sacrifices my ancestors made for me to be here, it motivates and encourages me to become a better version of myself.
 

How would you encourage men to advocate for and amplify the voice of women in higher education/STEM?

I encourage men to be mindful of their power regarding allyship and take an active stance. Include women in your meetings and decision-making, encourage women to speak up and value their contribution, hire women onto your teams with competitive salaries, and continuously educate yourself on potential barriers to progress. Each small step you take contributes to a larger culture shift and positively influences the institution around you.
 

Do you have a saying or mantra you use to motivate yourself and others?

“I’d go at my own pace, steadily.” -Kim Seokjin