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Email us at psuforward@pdx.edu
Dr. Suzanne Estes
Dr. Suzanne Estes
FORWARD PSU PI
Suzanne Estes (Chickasaw/Choctaw and western European) grew up in Chickasaw Nation territory of southeastern Oklahoma where she earned an undergraduate degree in Biology. As a first-generation college student, she benefited from the support of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, which helped convince her to apply for graduate school. She has been a guest in Oregon since 1997 when she began the Biology PhD program at the University of Oregon. Following a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University, she joined the faculty of Portland State University's Biology Department in 2005. Dr. Estes' research has addressed the role of mutation in evolution and mitochondrial-nuclear coevolution. She has taught courses in genetics, evolution and grant proposal development, and spent five years as the grant PI and Program Coordinator for PSU's Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP program). This program supports Native and BIPOC STEM majors by providing social, academic and career development support and opportunities. This work informs that of her current position in CLAS where she helped to build and continues to support the LSAMP Climate Internship Program. Dr. Estes is particularly passionate about supporting future Indigenous leaders and uplifting Indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge (ITECK) alongside western sciences. The latter has included community-engaged design efforts for PSU's Vernier Science Center and ITECK Center capital projects.
Dr. Shandee Dixon
Dr. Shandee Dixon
FORWARD PSU Program Manager
Email: shandee@pdx.edu
Scheduling Link: https://shandeedixon.youcanbook.me/
Shandee is an Associate Scientist at the Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) at OHSU and the Research Thread Director for the Wy'east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway at OHSU’s Northwest Native American Center of Excellence. Since joining the CIMR team in 2021, she has taken on roles as Co-Investigator of BUILD EXITO and URISE, faculty lead for summer research experiences, and coordinator for student research placements. Shandee earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan and completed postdoctoral work at UCLA, UC Irvine, and as an OHSU Diversity and Inclusion in Research Fellow. Before joining CIMR, Shandee was a Scientist at the OHSU Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center (CEDAR), where she founded the CEDAR Health Inequities Committee focused on building awareness around the impact systemic health inequities have on early detection and treatment of cancers. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about advocating for underrepresented groups in STEM. When she’s not working, Shandee enjoys taking her mom and grandma on long drives around the PNW and loves playing board games with her partner and her two tuxedo kittens, Pepperoni and Juniper.
Sonara Malumaleumu
Sonara Malumaleumu
FORWARD PSU Program Coordinator
Email: sonara@pdx.edu
Scheduling Link: https://sonara.youcanbook.me/
Sonara is the FORWARD Program Coordinator at Portland State University, where she is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students pursuing careers in healthcare. A proud member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and a first-generation college graduate, Sonara brings both lived experience and a deep commitment to Indigenous communities into every aspect of her work. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Idaho. Outside of work, Sonara loves spending time with her partner, family, and friends — including her energetic springer spaniel, Arlo. She’s always up for a concert, a new restaurant, crafting, or a weekend of camping.
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