Experience

University of Washington School of Public Health

• United States
• Research Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Assistant Teaching Professor

  • Jul 2022 - Present

• Clinical Assistant Professor

  • May 2018 - Jul 2022

  I developed a new undergraduate course in the Department of Global Health (GH306: Introduction to Collaborative Approaches and Respectful Partnerships in Global Health) to prepare students to become critically self-reflective mentees in Global Health partnerships. The course is co-taught with my colleague, Dr. Kristin Beima-Sofie. I also co-teach GH305: Global Health and Justice, with Dr. Beth Rivin, focused on human rights and ethics in global health.



University of Washington

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Scientist

  • Jul 2017 - Jul 2022

  I am currently conducting research on 3 grants on the ethical implementation of genetic technology. 1. "Community-based evaluation of APOL1 genetic testing in African-Americans," Drs. Bessie Young and Wylie Burke (Co-PIs). Interviews with community members, individuals with kidney disease and family members of patients, and clinician stakeholders-- primary care and nephrologists, to explore benefits and concerns with using APOL1 genetic testing to identify individuals with elevated risk… Show more I am currently conducting research on 3 grants on the ethical implementation of genetic technology. 1. "Community-based evaluation of APOL1 genetic testing in African-Americans," Drs. Bessie Young and Wylie Burke (Co-PIs). Interviews with community members, individuals with kidney disease and family members of patients, and clinician stakeholders-- primary care and nephrologists, to explore benefits and concerns with using APOL1 genetic testing to identify individuals with elevated risk for End-Stage Renal Disease. 2. "Decision support for Lynch screening," Dr. Diane Korngiebel (PI). Mixed-methods qualitative and quantitative study exploring the processes and issues involved with colorectal cancer tumor screening for Lynch Syndrome. 3. Dr. Sarah Knerr (PI). Implementation research looking at issues involved with implementing genetic cancer screening in 3 key hospital systems.

• Pre-Doctoral Research Associate

  • Mar 2015 - Jun 2017

  I conduct qualitative research for a K01 study entitled, "Ethically responsible clinical decision support for Lynch Syndrome screening" (Dr. Diane Korngiebel, PI). Responsibilities include scheduling and conducting qualitative interviews with clinicians and other professionals involved in Lynch Syndrome screening, coding transcripts, and administrative tasks.

• PhD Candidate, Institute for Public Health Genetics

  • Sep 2011 - May 2017

  My dissertation is entitled, "Researcher trustworthiness within community-academic partnerships: Lessons for genomic research." I am conducted a mixed-methods study to understand what it means to be a trustworthy researcher and how institutional policies and practices impact researcher trustworthiness, especially in terms of community expectations for genomic research. I advanced to candidacy in fall 2015, and have completed all requirements to graduate in spring 2017.

• Research Analyst, Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality

  • Aug 2010 - Mar 2015

  "About the Center: The University of Washington Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality (CGHE) is one of four Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research (CEER) funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute. It is affiliated with the UW Dept of Bioethics and Humanities. The UW Center addresses the ethical, legal and social factors that influence the translation of genetic information to improved human health." -http://depts.washington.edu/cghe/ I have collaborated with CGHE… Show more "About the Center: The University of Washington Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality (CGHE) is one of four Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research (CEER) funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute. It is affiliated with the UW Dept of Bioethics and Humanities. The UW Center addresses the ethical, legal and social factors that influence the translation of genetic information to improved human health." -http://depts.washington.edu/cghe/ I have collaborated with CGHE researchers since June 2007, on projects dealing with community-based participatory research (CBPR) and the ethics and practices of conducting genetic research with Alaska Native and American Indian communities. Currently, I am contributing to a discourse tracing analysis, examining the language, concerns and interests of Native communities regarding genetic research.



Bastyr University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Adjunct Faculty

  • Nov 2017 - Mar 2020

  I teach the Research Ethics course for the Masters in Maternal and Child Health Systems program, in the Department of Midwifery. I teach the Research Ethics course for the Masters in Maternal and Child Health Systems program, in the Department of Midwifery.



The University of British Columbia

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Post-Doctoral Fellow

  • Aug 2017 - Dec 2017

  I conducted qualitative research for Dr. Wendy Roth in the Department of Sociology, on the social impact of genetic ancestry testing. I interviewed individuals in the United States, who took a genetic ancestry test through Dr. Roth's earlier RCT, about their experiences with the test, and its impacts on their ethnic and racial identities, their views of other racial/ethnic groups, and the meaning of the test for them. I also conducted thematic analysis on previously collected qualitative data… Show more I conducted qualitative research for Dr. Wendy Roth in the Department of Sociology, on the social impact of genetic ancestry testing. I interviewed individuals in the United States, who took a genetic ancestry test through Dr. Roth's earlier RCT, about their experiences with the test, and its impacts on their ethnic and racial identities, their views of other racial/ethnic groups, and the meaning of the test for them. I also conducted thematic analysis on previously collected qualitative data, on individuals' conceptions of race, in terms of a spectrum from genetic essentialist notions to sociocultural notions of race. Show less I conducted qualitative research for Dr. Wendy Roth in the Department of Sociology, on the social impact of genetic ancestry testing. I interviewed individuals in the United States, who took a genetic ancestry test through Dr. Roth's earlier RCT, about their experiences with the test, and its impacts on their ethnic and racial identities, their views of other racial/ethnic groups, and the meaning of the test for them. I also conducted thematic analysis on previously collected qualitative data… Show more I conducted qualitative research for Dr. Wendy Roth in the Department of Sociology, on the social impact of genetic ancestry testing. I interviewed individuals in the United States, who took a genetic ancestry test through Dr. Roth's earlier RCT, about their experiences with the test, and its impacts on their ethnic and racial identities, their views of other racial/ethnic groups, and the meaning of the test for them. I also conducted thematic analysis on previously collected qualitative data, on individuals' conceptions of race, in terms of a spectrum from genetic essentialist notions to sociocultural notions of race. Show less



Oregon Health & Science University

• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant, Interdisciplinary Center for Epigenetics, Science and Society

  • Feb 2011 - Oct 2012

  This Center for Excellence in ELSI* Research at Oregon Health and Science University brings together an interdisciplinary team of scientists to address issues relating to epigenetics, including a focus on diseases (Type 2 diabetes and cancer) and the developmental origins of health and disease. My role is to collaborate with the director of the center, Dr. Nancy Press, to conduct a discourse analysis surrounding three hypotheses: the "thrifty genotype" hypothesis, the "fetal origins of… Show more This Center for Excellence in ELSI* Research at Oregon Health and Science University brings together an interdisciplinary team of scientists to address issues relating to epigenetics, including a focus on diseases (Type 2 diabetes and cancer) and the developmental origins of health and disease. My role is to collaborate with the director of the center, Dr. Nancy Press, to conduct a discourse analysis surrounding three hypotheses: the "thrifty genotype" hypothesis, the "fetal origins of disease" hypothesis, and the newer "thrifty epigenotype" hypothesis, to examine ways in which these hypotheses have been taken up in the scientific literature, perpetuated, and altered. *ELSI= Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of genetic research Show less This Center for Excellence in ELSI* Research at Oregon Health and Science University brings together an interdisciplinary team of scientists to address issues relating to epigenetics, including a focus on diseases (Type 2 diabetes and cancer) and the developmental origins of health and disease. My role is to collaborate with the director of the center, Dr. Nancy Press, to conduct a discourse analysis surrounding three hypotheses: the "thrifty genotype" hypothesis, the "fetal origins of… Show more This Center for Excellence in ELSI* Research at Oregon Health and Science University brings together an interdisciplinary team of scientists to address issues relating to epigenetics, including a focus on diseases (Type 2 diabetes and cancer) and the developmental origins of health and disease. My role is to collaborate with the director of the center, Dr. Nancy Press, to conduct a discourse analysis surrounding three hypotheses: the "thrifty genotype" hypothesis, the "fetal origins of disease" hypothesis, and the newer "thrifty epigenotype" hypothesis, to examine ways in which these hypotheses have been taken up in the scientific literature, perpetuated, and altered. *ELSI= Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of genetic research Show less



The Lotus Seed Center

• United States
• Medical Practices

• Yoga Instructor

  • Nov 2009 - Dec 2010

  The Lotus Seed is a non-profit center for movement and arts in Northeast Portland, Oregon. They hold daily yoga classes on a donation basis. I completed their Yoga Alliance-accredited 200-hour teacher training program in December, 2009. I taught out-reach yoga classes on-site at Grant High School and the Contech Stormwater Solutions office, both in Portland. The Lotus Seed is a non-profit center for movement and arts in Northeast Portland, Oregon. They hold daily yoga classes on a donation basis. I completed their Yoga Alliance-accredited 200-hour teacher training program in December, 2009. I taught out-reach yoga classes on-site at Grant High School and the Contech Stormwater Solutions office, both in Portland.



University of Alaska Fairbanks

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant

  • Sep 2006 - May 2009

  Research position: Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) CANHR is a multi-disciplinary community-based participatory research center based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Southwest Alaska. Studies focus on protective and risk factors for obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. My thesis project was a qualitative study looking at how local Yup'ik Eskimo community members understand genetics and genetic research. Teaching position: Biology… Show more Research position: Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) CANHR is a multi-disciplinary community-based participatory research center based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Southwest Alaska. Studies focus on protective and risk factors for obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. My thesis project was a qualitative study looking at how local Yup'ik Eskimo community members understand genetics and genetic research. Teaching position: Biology 105-106, year-long introductory course for Biology majors. Show less Research position: Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) CANHR is a multi-disciplinary community-based participatory research center based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Southwest Alaska. Studies focus on protective and risk factors for obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. My thesis project was a qualitative study looking at how local Yup'ik Eskimo community members understand genetics and genetic research. Teaching position: Biology… Show more Research position: Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) CANHR is a multi-disciplinary community-based participatory research center based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Southwest Alaska. Studies focus on protective and risk factors for obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. My thesis project was a qualitative study looking at how local Yup'ik Eskimo community members understand genetics and genetic research. Teaching position: Biology 105-106, year-long introductory course for Biology majors. Show less


Department of Athletics, University of Alaska
• Adjunct Swim Instructor, Lifeguard

  • Sep 2003 - May 2006


Planned Parenthood of Alaska/Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest

• Reproductive Health Specialist, Health Educator

  • 2003 - 2006

  I provided patient education, intake, care and financial services within the clinic setting. Beyond the clinic, I provided the local community with educational and outreach efforts. I provided patient education, intake, care and financial services within the clinic setting. Beyond the clinic, I provided the local community with educational and outreach efforts.


David Guttenberg for State House Campaign
• Intern

  • Jul 2002 - Aug 2002

Oberlin Congressional Internship Program
• Intern Coordinator

  • Sep 2001 - Feb 2002