Who We Are
__José G. Jiménez
_ José G. Jiménez is an architecture major, who originally hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. José’s hobbies include: a professed love of all things music, drawing, painting, photography, watching movies, vehicle modifying/building, and pretty much building and making something out of anything. His future career plans include pursuing his master’s degree- he hopes to go beyond the academic typical role in architecture to really become one. The Ecogrowth Project excites José because it has enabled him to learn more about what humans are naturally causing to the world we live in and finding new ways to continue living without damaging the place we live in; he hopes it will help him to become a better individual that cares more about the world he lives in. On the topic of emissions, José states: “I just pretty much know what it does looking at it in the bigger picture. I know I have contributed, from my love to vehicles, to the world; now I want to contribute back what I took from it to begin with. Learning new developmental changes that are happening now and how can we adapt to them while not harming our earth.” He hopes, upon completion of the project that it will allow him to expose people to the harm that is being caused in the world.
__Sade Mehdizadeh
_Sade Mehdizadeh is a sociology major, who was raised, and currently resides in Northern California. A little known fact about Sade is that she enjoys taking photographs in cemeteries- in addition to her love of traveling, art, and music, particularly hip-hop. After graduating this Spring, Sade plans to work throughout the Middle East, moving to Iran where she will teach English. Upon returning to the States, she will begin her master’s in special education, and then onto a Ph.D. in sociology, in order to become a professor. Sade is excited about the Ecogrowth Project because of the opportunity it has allowed her to work on her virtual skills, and become part of the blogging experience; she hopes to apply the skills learned on this project to future blogging endeavors in her travels. Sade would like to actively contribute to the fight against emissions by installing solar panels for her home, and thinks it will be “the first step in a positive direction of contributions towards emissions.”
__ Natalia Sudol
_Natalia Sudol is a biology major. Her hobbies include film, literature, and hiking. Originally from Poland, a little known fact about Natalia is that she speaks fluent Polish and has lived most of her life in Poland; in fact, five years ago, she did not speak a word of English. Her future plans include getting accepted into a PA program, and eventually working in the health care field. Having never taken an online class before, Natalia was excited and ready to face the challenge of taking part in this effort; in addition, she hopes to contribute to the anti-emissions task force by leaving the car at home more, and taking advantage of the wonderful public transportation system Portland has to offer.
_Duy Truong
_Duy Truong, a graphic design major, is a Portland native of Vietnamese origin. Fun fact about Duy: he has over 50 cousins! In his free time, Duy enjoys drawing, photography, volleyball, basketball, snowboarding, movies, and automotive-related activities. His future career plans involve having his own design/photography studio. On the Ecogrowth Project: “I am excited to work with a large group and see how we are able to impact our readers and influence changes.”
_Michael George Maynes
_Michael George Maynes is a social science major, originally from El Paso, Texas. In addition to reading and writing on social, political, and Christian issues, Michael has a great sense of humor and admits enjoyment of a good shoehorn. Michael is currently a retail department manager, and hopes to one day work as a political scientist. Although he admits to having no involvement with emissions before this Project, he was excited by the opportunity to inspire change with research, as well as using multimedia tools to communicate with readers. In regard to the future work he will do against emissions, he says: "I will keep looking into issues and talking to people about how to solve them."
_Jaimie Butterfield
_Jaimie Butterfield is a born and bred native of Portland, Oregon, and is majoring in Child and Family Studies. In addition to her love of pickles, she also enjoys cooking, baking, dancing, and outdoor activities. Jaimie will graduate this term from Portland State University, and plans on continuing with the school’s graduate teaching program; she hopes to teach elementary school somewhere in the Portland Metro area.
_Khadija A. Al Mousa
_Khadija A. Al Mousa is a native of Saudi Arabia, majoring in graphic design, with a minor in advertising management. A little known fact about Khadija is that she is an aspiring poetess, in addition, she also loves using her computer, drawing, photography, videography, cooking, and shopping. Her future goals are to work outside of Saudi Arabia, and eventually start her own business. Khadija is especially excited about the Ecogrowth Project because it gives her the opportunity to work more closely with other students.
_Daoud Abdallah
_Daoud Abdallah is a biology/chemistry major who originally hails from Palestine; his hobbies include: soccer, working out, swimming, and hunting, and he hopes to obtain his master’s degree in health administration after completing his BA. Daoud is excited about the Ecogrowth Project because it has allowed him to know more about the world, contributing positive/negative factors, and ultimately, how to make a greater impact on it; he hopes to use the experience to teach others about emissions, and the negative effects of it. “I lived 18 years in a poor country where there are no laws for any kind or emission or any kind of instructions for healthier and safer world... these days things changed due to many economical factors and people started to realize the danger of this subject.”
_Noor Alzayer
_Noor Alzayer is a finance major, originally from Saudi Arabia. Noor’s hidden talent is painting, but she also loves shopping, watching movies, and cooking. Graduating this Spring, Noor’s future career plans include entering the world of corporate banking, and she would like to eventually open up her own business. Noor was excited to join the Ecogrowth Project so that she would be able to put her marketing skills to use.
_Sara O’Connell
_Sara O’Connell is a self-identified nomad, majoring in communications. Sara’s hobbies include: reading, jigsaw puzzles, writing, and community activism. Graduating this Spring, Sara will be moving to Medina, Saudi Arabia in August to teach English, and eventually would like to pursue a career in writing. Sara is most excited by the Ecogrowth Project, because she feels it has helped her to learn more about the environment, and what she can do to help prevent emissions.
_Allison Berg
_Allison Berg is a Portland, Oregon native with a passion for design, fashion, art and food. She enjoys gallivanting around the city, collecting rocks and minerals, setting up camp in the design section at Powell’s and afternoon cuddle-sessions with her cat Sébastien. Specializing in illustration and hand-crafted design, Allison is inspired by nature, old films and vintage ephemera. She is also interested in the sustainable impact of design. On the Eco-Merge project: "The thing that most excites me about this project is informing people that they can make a difference, even by making small changes to their lifestyle." After graduating in the Spring, she hopes to find a job with a design firm in Portland and travel.