The Pac Rim Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the award of ten full scholarships for the annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity.
Get to know eight of the recipients: Sinchan Chatterjee, Sydney Dickner, Vanessa C. Englehart, Rezaul Kabir, Grace Reid, Rene Rotondo, Alan Santinele Martino, Sonya Shorty, and Ashley Volion. Please read on to learn more about their work and contributions to this year’s conference theme: By Us and For Us: Legacy and Future of Our Movement.
Sinchan Chatterjee is a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. As a UGC NET-qualified Senior Research Fellow in English at IIT Bombay, Chatterjee critically examines narratives of neurodivergence, especially autistic autobiographies. He uses theoretical frameworks from the interdisciplinary fields of disability studies, phenomenology, queer studies, crip theory, and culture studies. Chatterjee’s creative and critical works have been published by SUNY Press, the Polish journal Didaskalia (2024), the Mizoram University Journal of Literary and Cultural Studies (2023), SETU Pittsburgh, Writer’s Workshop Kolkata, WordIt Bombay, among others. Chatterjee has won numerous international and national awards for his creative works, including awards from Penguin Random House, The Times of India, Become Shakespeare, among others. As a cultural ambassador representing India in the US, Chatterjee is passionately involved in writing and reciting poems, rapping, drumming, clicking photographs, and telling stories in as many ways as he can.
My name is Sydney, and I am a first-year master’s student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the University of Calgary. I am passionate about supporting individuals in the autistic and Deaf communities. My master’s thesis focuses on the experiences of autistic individuals in community programs. My goal is to become a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through evidence-based, inclusive, and neuro-affirming practices. I aim to amplify their voices and experiences through my research and clinical work, ensuring their unique perspectives shape interventions and advocacy efforts.
Vanessa C. Englehart, M.S., CRC is a project FUTURE fellow and a 2nd year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at The Pennsylvania State University. She earned her master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling at San Diego State University. She previously worked on multiple grant-funded projects working with students with disabilities to obtain competitive integrated employment and explore postsecondary education opportunities. She has taught social skills and communication skills to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in higher education. Her research interest topics include but are not limited to students with IDD, inclusive postsecondary education, competitive integrated employment, CLED students with IDD, intersectionality, and cultural humility.
Dr. Md. Rezaul Kabir is the Executive Director(VS) of the Disabled Development and Educational Foundation (DDEF), Bangladesh. He has a graduation degree in Commerce from the National University of Bangladesh and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the American Independent University of California, USA, with a distinction. He has been working in the NGO sector for about 20 years. Additionally, he is the founder chairperson of Raihanpur Disable School. His research article has been published in a journal from India on critical review of rights of persons with disabilities.
Dr. Rezaul has been playing a key role to ensure sustainable community development for the marginalized community of Bangladesh through innovative development interventions. He has been awarded the Dr. APJ Abul Kalam International Award by Hope International World Record. He has contributed immensely to enhancing the socio-economic condition of disadvantaged groups, including women, children and the poor.
Grace Reid is a Master’s student in Psychotherapy at Yorkville University, Canada, with a vision of opening a practice to provide tailored support for individuals with disabilities. She holds an Honours Double Major in Disability Studies and Psychology and received the Disability Studies Award for academic excellence.
Since 2022, Grace has worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant at Western University, gaining experience supporting individuals with disabilities. As an Inclusion Counsellor, she facilitated adaptive programming and accessible activities. She also teaches accessible swimming lessons and has worked as a personal support worker.
Grace developed Connections, a board game promoting social interaction among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), piloting it in various agencies and presenting it at international conferences. Passionate about advocacy, Grace is grateful and excited to present at the PAC RIM 2025 Conference.
Dr. Alan Martino (he/him) is an Assistant Professor in the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies program in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. His main research interests include critical disability studies, gender and sexualities, feminist and critical disability studies theories, and qualitative and community-based research, particularly participatory and inclusive methodologies. His work has been published in multiple journals, including Disability Studies Quarterly, Sexuality and Disability, and Sexualities, as well as in edited volumes on disability and sexualities studies. He leads the Disability & Sexuality Lab at the University of Calgary. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the 2024 Early Investigator Award by the Canadian Sociological Association and the 2024 Early Career Award by the Sociology of Sexualities Section of the American Sociological Association.
Sonya Shorty is a resilient advocate based in New Orleans, Louisiana, who has navigated life as an amputee for the past five years following an accident. Through her journey, she has faced numerous challenges, emerging with a philosophy centered on empowerment and self-improvement. Sonya likens personal growth to the tenacity of wildflowers, believing that success stems from inner strength rather than external circumstances. Her inspiring message encourages individuals to embrace their unique journeys and confront life’s obstacles with determination. By combining practical support with an uplifting mindset, Sonya empowers others to persist, believe in themselves, and access the resources they need to achieve meaningful success.
Dr. Ashley Volion is a passionate advocate, educator, and consultant based in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a professor of Sociology at Tulane University, she focuses on the Sociology of the Family, Disability, and Intersectionality, blending her academic expertise with her lived experience as a wheelchair user to inspire meaningful conversations and drive social change.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Volion is deeply involved in advancing disability rights through her work with Disability Rights Louisiana and MakeGood, Inc., where she promotes innovative, accessible solutions. In 2024, she led statewide accessibility assessments and launched voter engagement initiatives to empower people with disabilities.
Dr. Volion is also the founder of Louisiana Disabled Divas, a group creating inclusive community events that foster connection and access intimacy. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to equity, community building, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
