Circulation Student Staff Information: Student Profiles

Anna Hong 

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark? I was born in LA and spent a decade in Colorado before moving to the University of Oklahoma for my B.A. in Chinese and B.A. in Spanish. I took one gap year and worked as a paralegal at an immigration law firm before moving to Portland for law school.
2. What is your current year and focus? 1L - undecided
3. What are some of your hobbies? Baking, watching tv shows/movies, puzzles, and board games. 
4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)? Dog, I have a mini Aussie :)
5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland? As of right now, Lemon Leaf Thai. I have yet to try a lot of Portland foods, so I am open to suggestions.
6. What are you currently reading? Lots of Textbooks :,) I would love to start reading House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. 
7. What was the last show you binge-watched? Too many to count but my favorite ones are: Friends and Charmed
8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? Snickers. I get sad when I'm hungry :)
9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation? Food, any food c:
10. What are three words people would use to describe you? Nice, adventurous, independent. 

Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?:
I am currently an undergraduate student at LC and prior to starting school I lived in Costa Rica during my gap year.

What is your current year and focus?:
I am a second year undergraduate double majoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology & Sociology.

What are some of your hobbies?:
I love to go hiking and explore nature as much as possible. I collect crystals and am currently teaching myself how to read tarot cards. I also enjoy anything to do with all animals and creatures :)

Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?:
Both actually! I have three pit bulls and two cats at home.

What are you currently reading?:
I am currently mainly reading Circe but I like to jump around to different books every now and then.

What was the last show you binge-watched?:
The last show I binge-watched was the 1995 Pride and Prejudice series. 10/10 would recommend.

If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?:
If I were a candy I would be skittles, which is not a candy bar, however, I feel it describes me much better than any other as I feel there are several different versions of me that change throughout the day.

What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?:
I could give an hour-long presentation with no preparation about the wrongful view of American Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers that has been spread throughout the United States along with the wrongful discrimination they face just because of the things humans have forced them to do.

What are three words people would use to describe you:
People would describe me as shy, compassionate, and prone to overthinking.

Benjamin Whistler

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark? Undergrad at Tulane in New Orleans for English and Classics.
2. What is your current year and focus? “4L” with a former focus in Federal Indian Law / Native American Tribal Law and a current interest in law librarianship.
3. What are some of your hobbies? Pretty much anything artsy and vintage-y fulfills me and my hobbies reflect that. This includes analog filmmaking, reading, writing, picnics under autumn trees, vinyl record collecting, mid-century furniture restoration, vintage clothing and lifestyle, classic cars, coffee, accidentally overwatering my cacti. (can you tell I’m a Leo?)
4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)? Both, but dogs are family and cats are landlords.
5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland? Sweet Hereafter, Poblano Pepper (actually good vegan burritos!), Sapphire Hotel.
6. What are you currently reading? Currently? Too much, including: (a) Science Fiction - 1980s punk author Izumi Suzuki's sci-fi collection,Terminal Boredom; (b) Philosophy - Barthes' A Lover's Discourse (1977); (c) Literature - Julio Cortázar's Hopscotch (1963). Sometimes I even remember to read my cases for class.
7. What was the last show you binge-watched? Re-binged Dark.
8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? A Petunia’s gluten free and vegan peanut butter boost bar — birds love it, bees love it, it goes great with coffee, it’s a little pretentious but it genuinely is what it is, and it’s probably a little bad for you (but that's your fault -- maybe eat a carrot every once in a while?).
9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation? I can talk about almost anything dealing with early to middle 20th century history and society. 
10. What are three words people would use to describe you? Caffeinated, cultured, creative.

Ben Beckman

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?
I majored in ecology at the University of Michigan and then worked as an aquatic ecologist with the US Geological Survey

2. What is your current year and focus?
I'm a 2L interested in environmental or public interest law

3. What are some of your hobbies?
I play club ultimate frisbee, I like going on backpacking trips, and I am a big football fan.

4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?
Dog

5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?
Bing Mi Food Cart

6. What are you currently reading?
Planet Narnia by Michael Ward

7. What was the last show you binge-watched?
30 Rock

8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?
Toblerone - hands-down the most underrated chocolate bar

9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?
Ultralight backpacking

10. What are three words people would use to describe you
creative, laid back, loyal

Cam Quackenbush 

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark? Before starting law school at Lewis & Clark, I completed undergraduate degrees at the University of Utah in Environmental Sustainability and Political Science, with a minor in Ecology.  Through my studies, I was exposed to the intricate nexus between human policy and ecological conditions around the globe.  Through a semester abroad in Argentina, studying Southern Right Whales and local issues created by waste and water policies, I learned that the extent of policy decisions are rarely cabined within their intended purpose, as the world we live in is overwhelmingly interconnected.  In the summer of my 3rd year, through an internship with the Bureau of Land Management in Washington, D.C., I was exposed to the interworking of a “multi-use” planning mandate for Federal Lands, and its implications for and limitations on environmental protection.  Then in my 4th and final year of undergrad, I completed a senior honors thesis on the drying of the Great Salt Lake, and the ecological disaster that will ensue in the form of a dust bowl effect.  This project brought together the ecological interconnectivity of my environmental education and then proceeded to discuss how the political governance of Utah could (and should) respond to the issue. Now, 3 years later, the drying and dying of the Great Salt Lake is national news. After graduating from the U of U, I spent a year and a half working in Salt Lake as a research assistant to Dr. Tabitha Benney (a former professor of mine), writing on issues ranging from Climate Adaptation and Maladaptation, to voters rights for Native Tribes in Alaska, and Covid-19 incidence rates across the Salt Lake Valley at the neighborhood scale. With two major publications stemming from this time, and a nuanced understanding of environmental issues under my belt, I decided that the best way to impact environmental policy was through Law—leading me here, to Lewis and Clark.  
2. What is your current year and focus? I am a rising 2L student, whose focus is almost entirely on issues of Environmental Law.  Though I came into Lewis & Clark with a background on Clean Air and Clean Water, my studies have pushed me into the area of Hazardous Substances and Hazardous Wastes through my 2022 Summer Externship.  For the last 3 months, I have focused on CERCLA and RCRA, and specifically the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. 
3. What are some of your hobbies? As an adamant environmentalist, it may be cliché to say that I love spending time outdoors—hiking, running, swimming, snowboarding, and skateboarding.  However, I also spend a good deal of time drawing, listening to a wide variety of music, and writing. I am also rather fond of video games, especially Fromsoftware titles. 
4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)? I am a dog person. Period, full stop. Ever wake up with your family or roommate’s cat wreaking havoc at 3 in the morning the day of a large final?  Then you know why. 
5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland? For a quick bite to eat—Atlas Pizza is my go-to. However, Clark Lewis is one of my favorite spots in the city for a sit-down meal.  Their cocktail and wine selection is stellar. 
6. What are you currently reading? I am currently making my way through a reading of Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson and re-reading The Saga of the Swamp Thing, by Alan Moore, on the side. 
7. What was the last show you binge-watched? The last show I binge-watched was the HBO mini-series on Chernobyl. 
8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? If I were a candy bar, I would be a sour patch kid.  Even though I can be sweet in the moment, I am very bitter about the state of the world. 
9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation? As many of my friends can tell you, I could easily give an hour-long seminar on the issues with organized religion and specifically the problems posed by the LDS Church in Utah at literally any time.  Don’t even get me started on this blatant violation of the separation of Church and State. 
10. What are three words people would use to describe you? Passionate, outspoken, and hard-working. 

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?

Fun fact: I’m from both Vancouvers! I grew up just across the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA, but also call Vancouver, B.C. my second home, since I spent five years there for undergrad where I received my B.A. in International Studies, minor in Applied Linguistics, and certification in Teaching ESL. Immediately following graduation, I moved to central Europe where I taught English and Art for two years before returning stateside to prepare for law school. That “preparation” lasted longer than originally planned, but after 6 years working full-time in law firms, I finally transitioned to being a full-time law student. 

2. What is your current year and focus?

I am currently a 4L evening student focusing on Business law and Intellectual Property. 

3. What are some of your hobbies?

I’m a longtime runner and avid hiker, who periodically gets a relentless itch for mountaineering. When not outdoors, I love to spend my time doing anything food-related: cooking, watching cooking shows, meal-planning, even grocery shopping!

4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?

I love all animals but my two cats, Huxley and Kevin, would probably demand I say Team Felines. 

5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?

Hardest question ever, as I’m a huge foodie! Currently, by quadrant:

1. NW: Andina

2. S/SW: Five Spice 

3. N: Interurban 

4. NE: Amalfi’s

5. SE: Clark Lewis

6. What are you currently reading?

I’m finally getting around to reading a book that’s been on my shelf for awhile: I Wrote This Book Because I Love You: Essays (Tim Kreider)

7. What was the last show you binge-watched?

Cruel Summer. Season 1 was better than Season 2. 

8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?

Maybe Toblerone because it’s pretty distinct, and known for its finer quality ingredients.  

9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?

Juggling law school and parenthood: tips, tricks, and traps to avoid! 

10. What are three words people would use to describe you

Independent, driven, competitive

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?

I am Constance Ngombengombe, I am 40years old. I am legally married to Richard Machinda and we have 3 children. I am a holder of LLB Honours from University of Zimbabwe. Before coming to Lewis and Clark I was working as a Legal Officer at Zimbabwe Republic Police. My duties were mainly advising and training Police on legal issues. I also seconded to National Prosecuting Authority in Zimbabwe and worked for 14years prosecuting criminal matters on behalf of the state.

2. What is your current year and focus?

Masters in Animal Law for nine months, which will mainly focus on protection of animals through legislation.

3. What are some of your hobbies?

I love playing netball and watching movies

4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?

I love both cats and dogs

5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?

Still new, haven’t moved around.

6. What are you currently reading?

I am currently focusing on animal law books and US Law especially the Constitution

7. What was the last show you binge-watched?

Hidden secrets

8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?

Sarcastic because I will be funny

9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?

Trial Procedure

10. What are three words people would use to describe you

Ambitious ,energetic and Disciplined

Erin Doyle

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?

I have a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences with minors in Mathematics and Sustainability Studies from the University of North Dakota. I was an intern with the NASA History Division for a summer where I interviewed experts, and wrote a report on the evolution of satellite technology and its use in water management since the 1960s.

2. What is your current year and focus?

I'm a 3L focused on Patent Law

3. What are some of your hobbies?

I love to do puzzles, hand embroider, bake, and play cozy videogames

4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?

I love both, but my dog Ruth tips the scale in favor of dogs as a whole.

5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?

PDX Sliders, the Hawthorne with jam and goat cheese is delicious.

6. What are you currently reading?

I’m rereading Ordinary People by Judith Guest, I loved it in highschool and it’s been fun to look at all the notes I wrote as a teenager in the margins.

7. What was the last show you binge-watched?

Abbott Elementary!

8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?

Twix, my twin and I are often also a package deal.

9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?

The evolution of satellite technology, and how we can measure the movement of water from space! (We can determine water usage in agricultural fields from space more accurately than many on-the-ground water meters)

10. What are three words people would use to describe you

A survey of my friends says: extraordinary, kind-hearted, and genuine

Jhanvi Derochoonnee

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark? I grew up on a small, tropical African island in the Indian Ocean called Mauritius. I moved to the US, leaving my island for the first time, in Fall 2015 to attend Reed College in Portland, OR where I majored in Neuroscience. I graduated in 2019 and worked as a research assistant at the Portland VA Research Foundation in the infectious disease lab where I did drug discovery work on tropical diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria. Prior to enrolling at Lewis & Clark, I worked with kids with autism as an Oregon-registered Behavior Technician. Goals included social and emotional learning, adaptive living skills and behavior management. I also volunteer as a medical scribe at a volunteer run clinic in Oregon City, a blood donor ambassador at the Red Cross and at the local rabbit rescue, Rabbits Advocate.

2. What is your current year and focus? I am a first year graduate student at the School of Education and Counseling. I am in the Professional Mental Health Counseling Program-Specialization in Addictions.

3. What are some of your hobbies? I am currently attempting to turn my house into a tropical jungle. I have a collection of tropical plants, mostly different variegations of pothos/scindapsus/philodendron and monstera plants. I recently acquired my first Begonia and am excited to watch it grow. I also enjoy cooking and am always trying different recipes. I started baking about a couple weeks ago. 

4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)? I would say I am a dog person. I love fluffy large dogs that try to sit on my lap even though they are way too big. I am allergic to cats (after cat sitting one of my college professors' cat, I became allergic). 

I do not currently have a pet dog but I do have 2 house bunnies that love very much and they are adorable! They are pretty much like cats in terms of temperament: full of sass, attitude and mischief

5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland? This is a tough one. I like different types of foods so it's hard to choose. My favorite sandwich/wing's place is Fire on the Mountain. They have an amazing jerk chicken sandwich with the best vegan dressing for their salad. Food trucks are almost always my go to (Hawthorne Asylum and Cartopia in SE).

6. What are you currently reading? I am currently reading a few Webtoon comics. My favorite one is Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe. It's a modern take on the Persephone and Pomegranate story and how she becomes queen of the underworld. The art is very unique and the author recently added music to the episodes. Another favorite is The Wrath & the Dawn, the comics version of one of the Middle Eastern folk tales in the One Thousand and One Nights book (also known as the Arabian Nights).

7. What was the last show you binge-watched? Currently binge watching The Goldbergs and binged watched Modern Family right before.

8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? I would be a snicker's bar-looks tough on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside.

9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation? Plant care and how to get your tropical plants nice and bushy. I love plants and have experimented quite a bit growing my own from little two-leaf cuttings.

10. What are three words people would use to describe you? Brave, passionate and a typical Earth sign Virgo. :)

Kat Azarkh

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?
   I got my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Colorado Denver.
2. What is your current year and focus? 
   I'm a 2L focused on criminal defense, especially public defense and juvenile defense. 
3. What are some of your hobbies? 
   Do snacking and napping with my dog count as hobbies? I also love crocheting, yoga, art, and just started kickboxing!
4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?
   I love both, but I've gotta say I'm a dog person. 
5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?
   Grassa: fresh-made pasta is to die for. I'm also loving the food carts.
6. What are you currently reading? 
   Family Law from Multiple Perspectives (Second Edition). (Kidding) I'm actually reading a book on Trauma Stewardship but would love some book recs!
7. What was the last show you binge-watched? 
   Just finished Veep!
8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? 
   I would be a Ferrero Rocher: you have to get through multiple layers to find out that at my core I'm a total nut. :)
9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?
   Honestly a lot of things, I love to talk. I'm gonna go with social determinants of health and how we systemically keep populations vulnerable (my degree lol). 
10. What are three words people would use to describe you
    Hmm some that I've gotten are witty, direct, and understanding. 

Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?:
I am an undergraduate at LC from Nashville, TN.

What is your current year and focus?:
First year. My intended major is Biology or Ecology with a Spanish Minor.

What are some of your hobbies?:
I like to go to live music events, explore new mediums for creative projects, and cultivate my relationships with the people I love the most, my friends, family, and dog.

Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?:
Dog person. I have an 18 month old rescue named Freya. If I wasn't so allergic to cats I am sure you could catch me snuggling with all of them.

What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?:
I just got here! So far, I really enjoy all the food truck parks.

What are you currently reading?:
I am currently reading 'Little Fires Everywhere' in between all the hustle and bustle.

What was the last show you binge-watched?:
Probably, 'How to Get Away With Murder"... again.

If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?:
I really resonate with a 100 grand: reliable, sweet and salty, a nice surprise when you indulge.

What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?:
The effects of orthodox/structured religion on the wellbeing of youth and women.

What are three words people would use to describe you:
Passionate, Fierce, Silly

Lex Shvartsmann

1. Could you tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark?
   • Before coming to Lewis & Clark, I worked in policy at the state level for the Idaho Nonprofit Center while simultaneously working as a barista (nonprofit pay is rough). I have a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Boise State with focuses in philosophy, social and cultural advocacy, and nonprofit management!
2. What is your current year and focus?
   • I'm a 2L focused on...figuring out the latter half of this answer.
3. What are some of your hobbies?
   • I spend most of my free time with my dog, Autumn, playing frisbee/fetch or going on hikes! I also enjoy tactile art forms such as collaging and crocheting.
4. Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?
   • Dogs all the way.
5. What's your favorite place to eat in Portland?
   • This changes near-weekly but currently Saburo's Sushi in Sellwood (get there right at 5!!)
6. What are you currently reading?
   • A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales
7. What was the last show you binge-watched?
   • I recently re-watched all of the good seasons* of the Real Housewives of New York (I am abashedly a very big Housewives fan).
     *through 2016
8. If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why?
   • Butterfinger because I often appear much more put together than I am!
9. What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation?
   • Proper coffee roasting & preparation
10. What are three words people would use to describe you
    • The only friend who responded in a timely manner said: intelligent, honest, affable

Victoria Brandao

• Please tell us about your background/schooling before coming to Lewis & Clark. 
  • I am originally from the border town of El Paso, Texas. I'm the youngest of three siblings and we are all 10 years apart in age. I'm a graduate from The University of Texas at Austin where I majored in Sustainability Studies and International Relations. 
• What is your current year and focus? 
  • ​​​​​​​1L, not sure but possibly Entertainment and IP law 
• What are some of your hobbies? 
  • ​​​​​​​I love roller skating, painting (badly) and weightlifting.
• Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)? 
  • ​​​​​​​DOG person all the way!! 
• What's your favorite place to eat in Portland? 
  • ​​​​​​​Portland Mercado, specifically the Havana Station food cart.
• What are you currently reading? 
  • ​​​​​​​Honestly nothing…. Brain broken… But I am listening to the murder with my husband podcast & National Park After Dark. 
• What was the last show you binge-watched? 
  • ​​​​​​​BMF (Black Mafia Family) & Power. 
• If you were a candy bar, what would you be? Why? 
  • ​​​​​​​A Pelon Pelo because it reminds me of fighting with my cousins for candy when the piñata broke and getting a bloody nose twice. 
• What topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with almost no preparation? 
  • ​​​​​​​The history of Environmental racism in the US and how low income/minority folks are affected and how we should bring more awareness to it!
• What are three words people would use to describe you? 
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Balanced, adaptable, compassionate.