Dr. Annie Isabel Fukushima is Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, and Associate Professor in the Division of Ethnic Studies with the School for Cultural & Social Transformation at University of Utah. Prior to joining the faculty of University of Utah, Dr. Fukushima was an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Rutgers University (2013 – 2015) with the Institute for Research on Women and the Department of Women and Gender Studies. She received her Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley in Ethnic Studies with a Designated Emphasis in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies.  She is the author of the award-winning book Migrant Crossings: Witnessing Human Trafficking in the US (Stanford University Press, 2019). Fukushima's book Migrant Crossings received the American Sociological Association (ASA) Asia and Asian America Section Book Award: Asian America (2020). She has authored multiple community based studies and scholarly articles that focus on: racialized and gender-based violence, human trafficking, labor, migration, race, and sexuality.  She is the Co-PI for a National Science Foundation grant to grow minority retention in higher education through a postdoctoral training program in collaboration with Dr. Barthelemy and co-lead and founder of the Gender-Based Violence Consortium and has expertise in providing expert witness testimony on issues related to human trafficking.

Shelly comes to the U after 15 years of managing and marketing fundraising events in Salt Lake City. She grew up in Utah but also lived in Oregon where she worked at Portland State University for seven years coordinating faculty development events. Shelly earned a BS degree in business administration and marketing from Utah State University.

Sara brings over a decade of program development experience to OUR. Her background focuses in areas around data in advocacy, adoption and foster care, homeless services, and special education, where she has honed her skills both on campus and in community settings. Sara holds a BS in Sociology from Utah State University. When not immersed in her work, she enjoys the creative outlet of watercolor painting, tending to her growing plant family (63 and counting), and spending quality time with her beloved dog, Aggie Gray. Sara also finds joy in connecting with friends and family, eating ice cream and donuts, solving puzzles, and exploring the outdoors.

Isabella is studying abroad at the U Asia campus in Korea this summer. We look forward to hearing about her experience when she returns to the team this fall.

Megan is conducting research in a Summer Research Program in Ann Arbor, Mi. this summer. We are excited to hear from Megan about their experience when they return this fall.

America is conducting research in Germany this summer. The Office is excited to hear about America's experience in Germany and her research findings when she returns to the office this fall.