2024 Storytellers

Edward J. Kame’enui, Ph. D. (he/him)

Edward J. Kame’enui, Ph. D. (he/him)

Storyteller

Edward J. Kame’enui, Ph. D., served as Dean-Knight Professor Emeritus and Founding Director of the Center on Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of Oregon, where he was a faculty member from 1987 to his retirement in 2018. Dr. Kame’enui also served on the faculty at the University of Montana (1980-1983) and Purdue University (1983-1987). From 2005-2007, he served as the Founding Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research, evaluation, and statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. Kame’enui has spoken at the White House, directed several national federal research initiatives, and served the National Academy of Sciences. He co-authored 20 college textbooks, more than 200 refereed research articles and 50 book chapters. He also served as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI for more than $80 M federal and private research and training grant awards.

Audra Johnston-Zamora (she/her)

Audra Johnston-Zamora (she/her)

Storyteller

Audra Johnston-Zamora is currently a doctoral student at the University of Oregon in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Services. Throughout California Audra has previously served as a county office MTSS Project Coordinator, a foster youth liaison/PBIS district coach and a middle school English teacher. As a former foster youth, Audra has dedicated her practice to uplifting the voices of marginalized youth and their surrounding communities. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, she obtained her teaching credential from Mills College, a program rooted in social justice and equity. With a focus on foster youth, trauma-informed practices and PBIS, she has received her Administrative Credential and Master’s degree from CSU Stanislaus. Despite her academic successes, Audra considers the opportunity to love, guide and nurture her 5 wonderfully unique children her greatest accomplishment.

Lance Gabrielsen (he/they)

Lance Gabrielsen (he/they)

Storyteller

When Lance was four years old, they visited a children’s museum, crafted a sock puppet and adorned it with googly eyes. Animated by Lance’s hand, the puppet unexpectedly encountered a tasty treat at a crosswalk in the form of a stranger’s posterior, much to the alarm of both the stranger and Lance.

This anecdote illuminates two of Lance’s standout qualities: their boundless creativity and knack for stumbling into unintentionally comedic situations.

Lance earned a PhD in Accounting from the University of Oregon. Currently, they share their expertise by teaching about sustainability in the business school and researching how businesses and other related entities are influenced by and impact environmental and social risks and opportunities. Beyond academia, Lance’s adventures continue—they can be found scaling cliffs, sipping kombucha, crafting speculative fiction, and cherishing moments with their partner, three beloved fur babies, and one cherished human child.

Biju Ghimire (she/hers)

Biju Ghimire (she/hers)

Storyteller

Biju (she/hers) is the Intercultural Education Coordinator at the University of Oregon’s Mills International Center. Her work revolves around designing programs, workshops, and initiatives for students and the UO community to explore, understand, and celebrate intercultural differences through intercultural learning/interactions. Originally from the vibrant city of Kathmandu, Nepal, Biju has lived and worked in Australia, Nepal, and the United States. She aspires to continue her work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice to foster intercultural understanding, challenge systemic inequities, and nurture a more inclusive world. Biju loves singing, traveling, cooking, reading, and appreciates the arts. She also serves as the Board Secretary for the Eugene-Kathmandu Sister City Association (EKSCA) – a nonprofit fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Eugene and Kathmandu since 1975. Biju holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Charles Sturt University, Australia.

 

Jen Doty (she/her/ella)

Jen Doty (she/her/ella)

Storyteller

Jen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services.  Her research focuses on leveraging parent-child relationships and technology to improve adolescent health and well-being. She loves reading, growing things, kayaking, camping and hiking with her partner and three adult children. She comes from a family of storytellers.

Jayden Taylor (he/they)

Jayden Taylor (he/they)

Storyteller

Jayden Taylor (he/they) is a first year undergraduate student at UO in music performance for Violin. As a musician he loves exploring various works by lesser and unknown composers and performing in the UO Symphony Orchestra. In his free time he enjoys reading literary fiction, listening to musicals, and writing poetry. He also enjoys crocheting for his friends and family when he has the time.

Iman von Briesen (she/her)

Iman von Briesen (she/her)

Storyteller

Iman (ee-mehn) is a second-year bioengineering graduate student from Charlotte, North Carolina. After earning a mechanical engineering degree and moving across the country, her graduate work is centered around developing new 3D printing methods and materials­­ to tackle various challenges in biomedical and tissue engineering. Outside of academia Iman enjoys climbing, aerial arts, juggling, jigsaw puzzles, and writing- among many other random interests. This is her first year participating in Intertwined, but she is very excited for the opportunity to share a small part of the story that led her here.

Ana Goble (she/her)

Ana Goble (she/her)

Storyteller

Ana Goble (she/her) is in her fourth year studying public relations at the School of Journalism with a minor in nonprofit administration. She hopes to use her new PR skills in the nonprofit field after graduation. Originally from the land of maple syrup and moose (New Hampshire), she moved to Oregon to continue her education. The adjustment was difficult at first, but she is finding she prefers rainy winters over the snow.  She enjoys spending time at Washburne Park and plotting her next storytelling adventure while strolling through Eugene. She is looking forward to sharing her story, which has shaped who she is today.

Muhammad Sohaib (he/him)

Muhammad Sohaib (he/him)

Storyteller

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant, M.A. in Language Teaching Studies

Muhammad Sohaib is a Foreign Language Teacher at the University of Oregon and teaches Urdu and Hindi at the Yamada Language Center. He received his M.Phil. in Applied Linguistics, before joining the University of Oregon’s Language Teaching Studies graduate program. He is a passionate language professional with a deep love for nature, community service and adventure. His journey has led him to embrace the vibrant tapestry of Pakistani and Indian cultures, and he loves to share these rich traditions with people through the lens of language. Sohaib is an enthusiastic sportsman, mountaineer, and traveler. Along with his language teaching profession he has both established and is a member of, several organizations and forums working for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. Sohaib is a strong advocate for inclusivity, inviting all people to play their role in making this world accessible and inclusive for all.

Nedzer Erilus (he/him)

Storyteller

Nedzer Erilus serves the University of Oregon as the Director of University Housing for Residence Life & Educational Initiatives. He writes. His expressions explore themes of identity, mental health, family, love, and cultural dissonance. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his thoughts.