UCSD - University of California - San Diego

08/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/26/2026 12:19

Take 10 with a Triton: Eva Trujillo ’20 Spreads Deeper Roots to Honor Her Ancestors

Published Date

August 26, 2026

Article Content

Name: Eva Trujillo '20

Pronouns: she/her

Position: NAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator

Years at UC San Diego: Trujillo is a 27-year veteran of UC San Diego, beginning her career in clinical and patient care when she was 19. "During my last three years on the Health side, I was simultaneously working at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park as a Cultural Resources Manager while earning my bachelor's degree in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology from UC San Diego," she said. "I wanted to make sure that I was educated appropriately for the spaces that I was working in and would know the ins and outs of archaeology."

Trujillo (right) at a protest

What she does at UC San Diego: A repatriation coordinator is responsible for compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) on campus. The federal and state laws involve Native American human remains and cultural items.

"In my role, I communicate with different departments across the campus so they are aware of situations that could happen, what and to whom to report if they find any cultural items or human remains," Trujillo shared. "I also consult with the ancestors' tribes and determine cultural affiliation. I make sure that the ancestors' remains and cultural items are in a safe spot and housed appropriately, which happens after all NAGPRA and UC policy requirements are completed and we have coordinated with the tribe to transfer the items or remains."

Trujillo was also involved in the development of UC San Diego Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Compliance Training. Grounded in values of accountability and respect, the online version of the training was recently launched on UC Learning for the UC San Diego community and is available for anyone with UC credentials. This is the first of its kind in the University of California system and focuses on creating a shared understanding of NAGPRA's basic requirements for reporting the research and collection of Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural resources. This module, developed by Trujillo in partnership with Karen Biestman and Vanessa Haro from UC San Diego's Office of Organizational Transformation, is intended to strengthen campus compliance and provide accessible guidance for those who may encounter cultural material during the course of their work.

"This module gives really good examples of fact-based scenarios that our office has run across, specific to our campus," said Trujillo. "It provides a better understanding of what people should be looking for and what is supposed to be reported."

Trujillo said this training presents complex information in an easy, digestible way. "Going above and beyond is something that we should be doing because of our past histories of injustice and violations of human rights," she shared. "We should be going above and beyond the floor of compliance. Our hope on campus is to do better and know better this time."

What she loves about UC San Diego: For Trujillo, working at UC San Diego holds greater meaning. A member of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, she grew up in San Diego County. "The campus's location is a significant area for the Kumeyaay people," she said. "For me, working in this environment, doing work on campus and having the opportunity to go to school at UC San Diego was a way to spread deeper roots."

Best advice received: As a mother, wife and active tribal member, Trujillo has a busy and full life. Additionally, her office is busy, "which is good," she said. "If we're busy, that means ancestors are going back home."

But the best advice she ever received was from one of the elders within her tribal community: slow down and enjoy every moment.

"As you get older, the days turn into weeks and months so quickly and we don't live in the moment," she shared. "It is something I have to intentionally remind myself."

"The view from campus is just absolutely beautiful. When you look at the ocean and feel the breeze, it really speaks to the spirit of the land. The view from campus is just breathtaking, calming, good medicine."

Trujillo with her granddog Scoops and his friend

Something most people don't know about her: Despite being busy, Trujillo considers herself a homebody and enjoys gardening and making bread. "I started baking bread because I wanted to have healthier habits," she shared. "Also, I'm at an age where my children are getting older and I tell them, 'Well, I have to practice being a grandma. Lots of grandmas bake bread, garden and knit.' Trujillo also enjoys hosting her 'granddog' Scoops, a Dalmatian mixed with a herding dog. "She gets excited every time my daughter says she's going to Grammy's house.

If she had one day to do anything she wanted: "I'd spend the day with all my family and enjoy each other's company," Trujillo said. "I would cook for them, whatever they asked; I always take orders. But my favorite thing to cook is soup. Making soup is really easy and my kids love them."

Read more news about: Operations Management and Capital Programs

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on August 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 26, 2026 at 18:19 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]