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Speakers’ Bios
Linda Isako Angst
Linda Isako Angst, Ph.D., Independent Scholar - Cultural Anthropology, Japan
Recently took early retirement from Lewis and Clark College where for the past decade she held a joint appointment in Anthropology and Gender Studies. Currently she is a consultant engaged in ethnographic research, diversity training in cultural and global competencies, and Japanese cultural practices.
Warren Binford
Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Clinical Law Program at the Willamette University College of Law where she teaches International Children’s Rights and the Child and Family Advocacy Clinic. She frequently publishes in both academic and mainstream publications on issues impacting children. Professor Binford previously lived in Tokyo.
Pablo Figueroa
Studied Social Anthropology at University of Buenos Aires (BA), and East Asian Studies at University of Salamanca (MA). Past and present research interests include ethnic minorities in contemporary Japan, the commodification of mountains in South America and Southeast Asia, and risk perceptions related to global nuclear energy policies. He currently serves as a coordinator for the Contemporary Japanese Studies Program at Waseda University, Tokyo.
Majia Holmer Nadesan
Professor of Communication studies at Arizona State University. She has published 3 books exploring the politics of life in the contexts of autism, childhood, and neoliberal government. She can be reached at majia@asu.edu.
Yoko Ikeda
Has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the Graduate Center of CUNY.
Anna Tilman
Has a Masters in Medical Biophysics. She is a Toronto-based toxics researcher and environmental activist, who as a Board Member of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health is immersed in raising awareness about the negative health and environmental effects of nuclear technology, in particular, as part of the effort to oppose Ontario Power Generation’s bid to build 4 new nuclear reactors at Darlington, and the development of a Deep Geological Repository for nuclear waste. She can be reached at annatilman@sympatico.ca.
Lisa Rumiel (Co-Author)
Has a PhD in History. Her dissertation research focused on the role of American physicians and scientists in the anti-nuclear movement during the final two decades of the Cold War. She is currently a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University, where, in addition to transforming her dissertation into a book manuscript, she is at work on a project about the role of American scientists in the Pacific Proving Ground. She can be reached at rumiele@mcmaster.ca.
Brett L. Walker
Regents Professor at Montana State University, Bozeman, and Research Specialist and Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He specializes in Japanese environmental history, the history of human health, and the history of East Asian science. His books include The Conquest of Ainu Lands: Culture and Ecology in Japanese Expansion, 1590-1800 (2001), The Lost Wolves of Japan (2005), and Toxic Archipelago: A History of Industrial Disease in Japan (2010). He has also co-edited books on Japanese environmental history, including Japan at Nature’s Edge: The Environment of a Global Power, forthcoming from the University of Hawai’i Press.
Prof. Katsuya Endo
- Tokyo International University,Professor of Education
- Vice President(2001~2009),Special Advisor to the President(2010~)
- Keio University(M.Ed),Seattle University(M.Ed)
- International Christian University(ICU:completed doctoral course)
Prof. Endo was born in Fukushima city and enjoyed Fukushima until 18 years(high school).
Carol Skowron
Senior Program Officer, Japan for Mercy Corps, an international relief and development agency headquartered in Portland, OR. With Mercy Corps for over 10 years, she has supported operations primarily in Asia and Africa, including the response to the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. She previously lived in the Tohoku region of Japan, including in Fukushima Prefecture. Since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, she has spent approximately half of her time in Japan assisting with recovery programs. She has a M.A. in geography and experience with the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and the East-West Center in Hawaii.
Paul Gunter
Paul Gunter specializes in reactor hazards and security of operating reactors; prevention of new reactor construction; regulatory oversight; climate change; the nuclear power-nuclear weapons connection; organizing and movement-building; radiation impacts on health; and wildlife impacts.
Brianna Harris
Brianna Harris was the National Association of the JET Programme (National AJET) representative for Miyagi, Fukushima, Niigata, and Yamagata when the Great Tohuku Quake struck and in the immediately following months. In this capacity, Brianna coordinated volunteer efforts in the disaster region, assisted locating and evacuating JET Programme participants, and was on the National AJET Fund Allocations Committee for disaster victims within the JET community. In addition, she helped organize the importation of 100,000 meals with the FFCC, created an international fundraising event (Tohoku Smile), and became a Home Coordinator and Advisory Board Member of Smile Kids Japan.
Heather Hurlburt
Is a Willamette student majoring in Asian Studies. She was in Japan on March 11, 2011, as a participant in the JSP program. She returned to the US a week after the earthquake but returned to complete her exchange semester in Fall 2011. She volunteered in Iwate prefecture in November 2011. She hopes to return to Japan after graduating in May 2012.
Emily Abraham
Is a Willamette student majoring in Biology. She was in Japan on March 11, 2011, as a participant in the JSP program. She returned to the US a week after the earthquake but returned to complete her exchange semester in Fall 2011. She organized a volunteer excursion to Iwate prefecture in November 2011.
Atsushi Yoshida
Is a Willamette student majoring in International Studies. In 2014, he will receive Bachelor’s degrees from Willamette and TIU. On March 11, 2011, he was at home in Saitama prefecture. He completed the spring 2011 term at TIU before coming to WU in August 2011. He looks forward to pursuing development work in Africa after graduation.
Kenneth Hendricks
Is a Willamette student majoring in Japanese Studies. He was in Japan on March 11, 2011, as a participant in the JSP program. He returned to the US two weeks after the earthquake. He looks forward to future research and teaching in Japan.