AUSL 2008 Staff Biography

Bina Contreras: AUSL Program Director

Welcome to the 2008 AUSL Program. I started working with VIA in April of 2006. I was the program director for the 2007 AUSL Program and I am excited to run this program again.

I have been working in the field of international education for the past six years and I have found that people learn a lot more when they are in a new environment. The AUSL program will put you in an environment that will allow you to explore service and learn about pressing issues in the world.

In my free time I like to travel, dive, read, and dance.

I look forward to meeting all of you and sharing reflections on service in the U.S. and in your country. See you very soon!

Ben Strong : Assistant Program Director

Hi everyone, I'm writing from Guangzhou, China where I've been teaching/volunteering with for past two years with VIA's Asia Programs. I'm sad to leave China, but very excited to join the Stanford site of VIA. I'll be joining the AUSL program this August and look forward to meeting all of you participants!

Phuong Tran : Stanford Coordinator for Health and Disabilities

Hello! My name is Phuong Tran and I am currently a senior at Stanford majoring in Anthropological Sciences and Human Biology, with an emphasis on infectious disease epidemiology. Around campus, I am involved with Pacific Free Clinic, molecular biology research, Emergency Medical Technician training, mentoring and social dancing.

Through my experiences from studying abroad and volunteering at free clinics and hospitals inside and outside the US, I have become very interested in cross-cultural issues in healthcare, especially those which affect both Asia and the Americas.

In my free time, I enjoy studying languages, watching films, cooking, drinking boba and searching for scrumptious food in the Bay Area. I am really excited be a part of the AUSL program in the Health and Disabilities division and can’t wait to get to know all of you!

Paolo Casumbal: Stanford Coordinator for Health and Disabilities

Hello there! My name is Paolo Casumbal and I am currently a freshman at Stanford prospectively majoring in International Relations. I really enjoy learning about different cultures and about issues that affect the global community. I am also a great fan of ancient history and Greek mythology.

Aside from academics, I am also heavily involved in a number of extracurricular activities. These include interning for the Pilipino American Student Union as a mentor for local high school youth, representing my dorm in the school Frosh Council, dancing for the Kayumanggi Filipino Dance Troupe, raising money for the battle against cancer and HIV/AIDS, and more.

I am originally from Washington, D.C. In my spare time, I love watching movies with friends and exploring new places.

I simply can't wait to meet all of you!

Eric Liu: Asia Coordinator for Health and Disabilities

Hello, my name is Eric Liu. I am glad to be involved in the AUSL program again as an Asia coordinator. I am also the alumnus of ALC program, which is also a fantastic program held by VIA. My past experience of VIA program really influences my life and let me to meet a group of wonderful friends. I am looking forward to meet all of you.

I received my B.S and M.S degree both at National Taiwan University, Taiwan. During the undergraduate time, I was major in the chemistry and information management. After that, I turned my interest to bioinformatics and started my master degree thesis research in the school of pharmacy. My research work is about using computer simulation to observe protein dynamics and provide insight for developing new drugs. Besides to scientific research, I also have interest in culture and language learning. Japanese TV drama deeply plays an essential part in my leisure time and drives me to take Japanese language course for 2 years. 

In the weekend, I usually spend the time with my family together; go hiking in the Yangmingshan national park and had an exotic dinner at the Taipei city.

Nicole Chorney: Stanford Coordinator for Environment and Sustainability

Hello all (or as we would say where I’m from Aloha Kakou)

My name is Nicole Chorney. I’m a sophomore here at Stanford majoring in Environmental Engineering. I’m crazy for fluid mechanics and the environmental issues that I’m most interested in pertain to water quality and water resources issues. I first became concerned about the environment when I participated in a youth conservation corps program in high school.

While at Stanford I’ve worked in a chemical oceanography lab, and over this past summer I conducted research back home in Hawaii, looking at the nutrient deposition from subterranean groundwater discharge into an estuarine bay. This summer when I’m not busy being your Environment and Sustainability coordinator I hope to be doing research on groundwater-lake interactions at Searsville Lake and Reservoir, located on a biological preserve on Stanford campus.

Outside of academia I love to dance. I am an avid salsa dancer and I am currently taking jazz and ballet classes here at Stanford. When the weather is not so gloomy I love to hike and swim, although I still believe nothing will ever compare to the ridge trails and beaches I’ve grown accustomed to in Hawaii. When I’m not overwhelmed with school I enjoy cooking, baking and reading coffee reviews.

I can’t wait to meet you all and I’m very excited about all the fun we’re going to have together this summer!  

Andrew Gines : Stanford Coordinator for Environment and Sustainability

Aloha! My name is Andrew Gines (pronounced Guinness – like the book) and I am thrilled to be one of the 2008 AUSL coordinators.  As you can tell, I am also from Hawaii, specifically my hometown of Waipahu, which is located on the southwestern shore of the island of Oahu. Despite being the atypical islander, one who does not surf and cannot swim, I believe my home and heritage still take root in the Hawaiian Islands. Having lived there my entire life, its diverse culture and tropical environment have become essential parts of my life and personal identity. Basically, sleeping, eating local foods, and relaxing on the beach are just a few favorite pastimes that are indicative of my islander characteristics. 

As someone of Filipino ancestry, I have also maintained close ties with my ethnic community at home as well as being a core member of Stanford’s Filipino-American group, the Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) and a dancer for the Filipino Dance Troupe Kayumanggi.  Coming from such a traditional cultural heritage, I grew up under Catholic teachings and ministry, keeping myself involved in the Catholic community on campus.  In addition, I feel my experience with service as an active member in Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the ASSU has prepared me well for the summer ahead.

From grade school through secondary school, I have been active in environmental sustainability.  Working with local non-profit organizations that focused on native plant preservation in rainforests, wetland restoration, and coastal maintenance, I have been involved in sustaining many ecological aspects of my home.  With my Communications major and Economics minor, I hope to gain business experience to help me manage a non-profit organization of my own that includes environmental sustainability and island cultural activism.

I hope you’re enjoying your summer and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Haruka Ikeda : Asia Coordinator for Environment and Sustainability

Hello everyone!

 My name is Haruka Ikeda. I’m a senior student at Doshisha University, majoring criminal law. I was one of the participants in AUSL 2006.  I’m really happy to join this program again and work with you all. I met many people through this program. We formed a close friendship. I learned a lot from them.

We have a lot of discussion during AUSL. I think it is good experience. I learned how to share my opinion with others.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all. Let’s spend great summer at Stanford!!!

Amanda Le: Stanford Coordinator for Homelessness and Poverty

Hello! My name is Amanda Le and I am currently a freshman at Stanford University majoring in Communications and Psychology. At Stanford, I participate in activities ranging from Club Archery and Intramural Volleyball to Stanford Marketing Group to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

I am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it is through my experiences working there with the homeless, along with my interest in Asian culture in general, that I became interested in the AUSL program.

In my free time, I enjoy eating, sleeping, working out (especially lifting), playing sports and video games, and exploring campus and San Francisco.

I am so excited about this summer and cannot wait to meet and work with everyone.

Judy Trieu : Stanford Coordinator for Homelessness and Poverty

Hello! My name is Judy Trieu and I am second year at Stanford University, studying Biological Sciences and Cultural and Social Anthropology. Coming from an underserved and underprivileged community in Los Angeles, I have found such fulfillment in volunteering and service. I believe that making a difference in one person’s life is just one step closer to making a difference in the world. I am definitely an idealist in my goals but I believe that with passion and dedication, anything can be achieved.

I’m really excited to get started and hopefully by the end of the program, we’ll all be one big happy family!

Risako Takeo: Asia Coordinator for Homelessness and Poverty

I'm Risako Takeo. I'm junior at Chuo University, majoring British and American Literature. I'm mainly studying about cultures in foreign countries, but I’m also joining in a seminar in Faculty of economics, and studying about developing countries. I was a participant in AUSL 2006 as a member of education group, and had great experience. I hope you can learn a lot and get many great friends from AUSL 2008 too. I'm very excited to get to know you all and spend summer with you. I'm looking forward to see you all at Stanford.