 Since becoming full-time director of the High Plains American Indian Research Institute in 2018, Trosper has overseen projects such as the first map of indigenous place names in Wyoming, and a National Endowment for the Humanities project investigating the cultural role of elk on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and several economic development projects.He was preceded as director of HPAIRI by Dr. Judith Antell, who launched the NEH elk project.As the director of HPAIRI Trosper works to increase American Indian enrollment, assist researchers to serve stated needs of the Wind River Indian Reservation, and promote education and economic development.