The WIA Report is produced by interdisciplinary research teams at the University of Washington. Below are biographies of the members of the research team that contributed to the 2008 World Information Access Report, and you can also find see the biographies of our 2007 team and 2006 team.
The WIA Project gratefully acknowledges support from the University of Washington, in particular the Department of Communication, the Jackson School of International Studies, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Jessica Albano and Peter Stevens, experts in the Communication and Business collections within the University of Washington libraries have provided valuable assistance.
2008 Research Team
Sarah Adler is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication with an emphasis on sales and marketing. She was born in Seattle in 1985 and grew up in Issaquah, Washington, where her parents still reside. Upon graduating in June 2008, Sarah hopes to launch a career in advertising and sales. She interned as a public relations coordinator at the Moyer Foundation, a large Seattle-based nonprofit group, for two consecutive quarters during her junior year. In the spring of her junior year, Sarah lived and studied in Rome, where she plans to travel this summer. Currently, Sarah is a television sales intern at KOMO-TV. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, where she has held several leadership positions throughout the years. In her free time, Sarah enjoys exercising, cooking, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Ashley Aust is a 21-year-old senior at the University of Washington. She is double majoring in communication and sociology and plans to graduate in the spring. She has been working as a waitress at Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria for more than two years and has recently transferred to the new Westlake location in downtown Seattle. Ashley also works as a video editor for her father’s company, Steadi-Image Productions. After graduation, she plans on traveling to Europe and possibly living in Italy or Greece for a few months before returning to the United States to pursue a career in video editing.
Merima Avdic is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication with a minor in political science. She was born in Bosnia and, at age three, moved to Germany, where she stayed for seven years. She then moved to Washington with her parents and older brother. During high school, she enrolled in Running Start, a program that allows students to earn an associate degree before they finish high school. After transferring to the University of Washington, she decided she wanted a career in television broadcasting, leading her to major in communication.
Lauren Badell is a sophomore at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington with a focus on international communication. She graduated from the Cate School in Santa Barbara, California in 2005. After a semester at the Stella Adler Drama Conservatory in New York City, she transferred to the University of Washington. Lauren has extensive international travel experience, including a year living in Italy. After college, she plans to join the Peace Corps and then travel on her own before applying to graduate programs in international studies or law.
Andre Bayard, a Seattle native, is in his senior year at the University of Washington. He is a communication major with an interest in international relations. He currently works for Nike in Seattle and hopes to work at Nike’s corporate headquarters in Oregon or the Netherlands. Andre plans to work and travel across Europe after he graduates in spring 2008. He enjoys learning about pop culture, listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
Kelsey Bergman is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication with minors in French and political science. She was born and raised in Renton, Washington by parents who attempted to train her as a Cougar fan. Her family is very close, though incredibly divided when it comes to college rivalry. Upon graduating in the spring, Kelsey hopes to find a career in international relations with a focus on Western Europe. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority, where she has served as historian, philanthropy director and treasurer. Kelsey enjoys reading books in French, traveling, spending time with friends and singing.
Chase Butler is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication. Having been raised in Spokane, Seattle has been a welcomed change in his life. He is a part of the Phi Eta Sigma and Mortar Board honor societies at UW. His hobbies include swimming, capture the flag and ultimate charades marathons. In addition, Chase serves tables at Red Robin to help pay for college.
Justin Camarata is a senior majoring in political science at the University of Washington. His interests include international relations, resource politics and American media. After graduating this quarter, he intends to travel abroad extensively, pursuing a career in diplomacy before moving into international nonprofit work. Justin has been married to his wife Bess, a University of Glasgow graduate, for nearly a year. Together they enjoy music, world travel, rock climbing and independent films.
Ninette Cheng is a senior at the University of Washington double majoring in communication and political science. She claims to have no hometown, having been born in Hong Kong and raised in Toronto, Seattle and Atlanta. Thanks to this upbringing, one of Ninette’s biggest passions is traveling and experiencing different cultures. She has studied Chinese history in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengde, China, and has worked as a public relations and advertising intern at a travel company in Hong Kong. Ninette has traveled throughout the United Kingdom and Japan. Upon graduation, she plans to work in public relations, advertising and marketing while continuing to travel and live throughout the world.
Gian-mical Gallerani is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication. Gian-mical was born and raised in Los Angeles and was among the diverse student body at Santa Monica High School. Eager for a different experience, he came to Seattle to explore its unique culture. Gian-mical has always been interested in different genres of music and their domestic and international cultures. This has inspired him to pursue a career in music supervision for various media projects. To support this interest, Gian-mical has worked as a disc jockey for more than two years and plans on using these skills to develop his career. He enjoys traveling and considers it a necessary experience in order to diversify his cultural interests and musical taste. Gian-mical is graduating in June 2008 and is eager to utilize the knowledge he has acquired in Seattle to benefit his future profession.
Richard Lee is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in English and communication. Upon graduation, he will vacation in London before heading to Korea to teach English for a year. When he returns, he hopes to go to photography school because of his passion for the field. He is currently working as a creative arts leader at All Nations Community Church. One of his long-term life goals is to start a café. In the meantime, he hopes to continue working for his church while pursuing other interests.
Amy McCaslin is originally from San Diego and is now a junior at the University of Washington in Seattle. As a communication, political science and European studies student, she hopes to work in Europe after she graduates. Amy has been working on the “What’s the Economy For, Anyway?†project with the Political Science Department for the past six months. Within this project, she is especially interested in researching health care access and varying economies throughout the world. She has studied public opinion and mass media in Paris and hopes to study in Buenos Aires during the autumn semester of her senior year. She has been surfing and snowboarding since she was eight, and loves hiking, running and spending time with friends and family.
Erin McCoy is a first year graduate student at the University of Washington, where she is pursuing a concurrent degree in international studies and public administration. She received her undergraduate degree in American cultural studies with a concentration in art history from Western Washington University. Erin previously served beer to the patrons of Gogarty’s in Dublin, tried to teach English to children in Japan and worked as an immigration paralegal in New York City. Occasionally, she likes to pretend she’s a photographer and has documented life in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago, Bosnia, Croatia and China. Erin is also a provisional member of the Junior League of Seattle, a women’s organization that promotes volunteerism. After graduation, she would like to pursue a career as a journalist reporting on international affairs or work as an analyst for the U.S. Department of State.
Brit Morse is a senior at the University of Washington. She will graduate in spring 2008 with a degree in political science and an emphasis on political economy. After an experience interning at an investment banking firm in Washington, D.C., she hopes to begin a career in investment banking upon graduation. Brit’s passion is traveling and some of her best memories are backpacking through Europe with friends. She intends to explore South America or Africa next. She enjoys running, boating and rowing. Though she was born and raised in the Bay Area, Brit calls Seattle her home.
Hyemin Nam was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea until she was 12, when she and her sister moved to Portland, Oregon for a better education. After years of schooling and traveling, she moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. She is currently a sophomore, intending to major in communication. During summer 2007, she returned to Korea for an internship at MBC, a broadcasting center in Seoul, where she had a memorable experience. She is looking forward to advancing her skills throughout college and hopes to pursue a career in broadcasting.
Meghan Peters is a 21-year-old senior at the University of Washington. Majoring in journalism with a minor in Spanish, she has written for The Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and studied abroad in Granada, Spain. Meghan has volunteered for various Seattle organizations throughout college, including the Boys and Girls Club, the UW’s Pipeline Project and Real Change, Seattle’s homeless community publication. She hopes to hone in on her reporting and language skills during her last two quarters at UW. After graduation, she would like to work abroad in journalism or education. She was born in New Jersey and spent her high school years in Sacramento, California. She enjoys playing sports, watching movies, listening to music and spending time with friends and family.
Megan Rollins is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in political science and English. During her scholastic career at UW, she studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain and taught English in a small town called La Conquista in Costa Rica. Currently, Megan is the assistant to the senior advisor of the Obama for America campaign in Los Angeles – close to her home town: Manhattan Beach, California. She also works for the Web site TrueMedia LLC, a forum for men and women to speak anonymously without fear of judgment. After graduating, Megan hopes to merge her political and literary interests through work or travel, preferably both.
Russell Ross was born in Newport Beach, California and raised in Redmond, Washington. Russell is a senior at the University of Washington and will graduate in spring 2008. He is majoring in communication with a minor in environmental science and research management. In 2004, he received an associate degree in fire science from Bellevue Community College in anticipation of becoming a career firefighter. Russell gained his Emergency Medical Technician and Firefighter One certifications by the age of 20, showing his dedication, and determination to achieving goals set. He currently volunteers with North Highline Fire Department. To pay his way through school, Russell has worked as a lifeguard for six years, acting as assistant manager of North West Center Redmond Pool for two and a half years.
Rima Saha is 22 years old. She was born in Calcutta, India and moved to the United States when she was two-and-a-half years old. She attended Kentwood High School, where she was involved with Key Club and Honor Society. She was also a library assistant and tutor during her high school career. Rima is a senior at the University of Washington. She is double majoring in political science and communication. She plans to graduate in June 2008. Rima is involved with the Disability Advocacy Student Alliance, the Student Disability Commission and DO-IT STEM, a program that increases the participation of disabled students in science, technology, mathematics and engineering. She was the 2007 Educational Opportunity Program merit scholar. After college, Rima plans to do an internship in public relations.
Galen Savidge is a senior majoring in political science at the University of Washington. Originally from Berkeley, California, Galen moved to Seattle to attend school. He interned in Washington, D.C. at the Meridian International Center, an international organization that focuses on public diplomacy, international education and global affairs. Galen has worked for an after-school program at Thornton Creek Elementary School in Northeast Seattle for the past two years. He also worked at a Head Start preschool in Seattle’s International District his sophomore year. Galen hopes to incorporate his experiences with children and education into his academic focus of American public policy.
Colette Tanner is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication. She will graduate in spring 2008. She is originally from Texas but spent most of her life in Bellevue, Washington with her parents and two younger brothers. When she was younger, she was an active piano player and taught piano lessons during high school. Some of her hobbies include skiing, reading, playing piano and spending time outdoors. Her dream is to someday own a plant nursery. She currently works as an assistant at a high-end real estate office and is considering a career in marketing for real estate.
Ya-Sung Tseng was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1978. She is double majoring in Chinese literature and foreign language and literature. She is now working for the Taiwanese government in the foreign affairs department and studying at the University of Washington for English language training. Her job, which requires her to broaden her knowledge in the field of international relations, has inspired her to take courses at the UW’s Jackson School of International Studies. During her stay in the United States, she has enjoyed traveling to cities in the United States and Canada. These trips have enriched her life experience and broadened her knowledge about the world. Her expectation for the future is to educate others and encourage their appreciation for Taiwan.
Nicole Elizabeth Villalobos is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in communication. She grew up in the Seattle area and attended Inglemoor High School. During fall 2007, Nicole studied abroad in Granada, Spain. She hopes to use her Spanish and French language skills in the future. Upon graduation, Nicole would like to pursue a career in hotel management or event planning for a nonprofit organization. During her spare time, Nicole enjoys volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she previously interned. She would like to continue volunteering for other nonprofit organizations.
Benn Vogelsang is a senior and will graduate from the University of Washington Honors Program in June 2008. He is double majoring in international political economy and political science. Originally from Mill Valley, California, he hopes to move to San Diego upon graduating. He plays UW club lacrosse, is a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, studied German in Berlin and runs his own business as a franchise manager for College Pro Painters. Upon graduating, Benn hopes to enter the business world and learn about green business in order to help the environment and slow climate change.
Other Acknowledgments
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