Pac Rim 2026

Meet the Team

headshot of Dr. Meghan Miller

Meghan Miller, Ph.D.

Director of CDS, Host Organization of Pac Rim

Meghan Miller, Ph.D. is Director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS). She is a licensed clinical psychologist and an internationally recognized expert in studying and understanding the early signs of autism and ADHD. She brings nearly 20  years of experience in neurodevelopmental disabilities research and practice, with a strong background in teaching, training, and mentorship.

Jared Galeai

Conference Chair

Jared Galea’i is a specialist at the University of Hawaii’s Center on Disability Studies and a graduate of the University of Hawaii. He serves as Principal Investigator on projects focused on employment, transition services, and benefits planning for individuals with disabilities. Jared brings extensive experience as a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, having worked with high schools, colleges, correctional facilities, and Native American Rehabilitation Programs. He is actively involved with Disability:IN and is a committed advocate for persons with disabilities. His work reflects a strong interest in expanding access to education, employment, and support services.

Lisa Eng

Administrative Coordinator

Lisa-Marie Eng is the Operations Coordinator of the Center on Disability Studies. With 10+ years of experience managing projects, contracts, grants, communications, and cost management, she is highly skilled in creative strategies to improve the well-being of people with disabilities. She is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and has provided training to employers, government agencies, community-based organizations, educators, families, and individuals.

Frank Jumawan

Accessibility and Website Coordinator

Frank Jumawan is an Instructional Support Specialist for Technology and Distance Programs at the College of Education and a Web Accessibility Specialist for the Center on Disability Studies. Frank received his undergraduate in Exercise Science and Health Management and his M.Ed. in Educational Technology. With over 10 years of experience in instructional technology, he actively explores ways to enhance digital accessibility and create supportive learning experiences.

Genesis Leong

Proposals Coordinator and Social Media Coordinator

Genesis Leong has 15+ years of experience in marketing and organizing large scaled events focused on cutting-edge technology, social justice advocacy, and community development. She has extensive experience in presenter recruitment and coordination; inclusive design; digital media; and creating content about people with dignity.

Lori Lum

Registration Coordinator

Lori Lum is an Operations Coordinator for several projects at the Center on Disability Studies. Though it’s her first year with CDS, she brings with her 30+ years of administrative experience and financial experience in overseeing and managing projects, grants, and contracts. She also has extensive experience in coordinating, planning, and managing conferences and trainings.

Kristiann Miyamoto

Volunteer Coordinator

Kristiann Miyamoto is the Program Administrator for the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MCH LEND) Program at the University of Hawaiʻi – John A. Burns School of Medicine. Her favorite part of her job is collaborating with others to create fun, inclusive and accessible spaces for learning, healing, and growing. She is passionate about integrating universal design learning, as well as centering neurodivergent and indigenous perspectives and ways of being.

Dr. Raphael Raphael

Marketing Coordinator

Raphael Raphael is a film and disability researcher/practitioner who teaches film, disability history and disability studies at the Center on Disability Studies, where he also serves as editor-in-chief of the peer reviewed, open access journal Review of Disability Studies. With experience in K-12 education in the US, Europe, Asia and Eurasia, he is interested in inclusive education and culturally responsive teaching. He is currently working on a book on connections between the late 19th century freak show and early film.

Dr. Nicole Schlaack

Scholarship Committee Coordinator and Evaluation Coordinator

Nicole Schlaack, Ph.D, serves as an evaluator at the Center on Disability Studies (CDS), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Nicole brings extensive experience in program evaluation, teacher education and P-12 teaching. At CDS, Nicole has overseen and contributed to multiple federally and state funded grants and projects. Her research adopts a cultural-historical approach to human development, focusing on cross-organizational collaboration, culturally responsive pedagogy, family-school-community partnerships, and community integration for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has been on the Pac Rim Planning Team for the last 4 years and is looking forward to another wonderful conference experience.

Manca Sustarsic

Exhibitor Coordinator

Manca Sustarsic, Ph.D. is a faculty member at the Center on Disability Studies in the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She has done research and evaluation on several multi-level educational interventions in Hawai‘i, working with youth and adult community members. Her research focuses on the experiences of diverse populations in K-12 and higher education, with a focus on students from underrepresented groups, including international students, marginalized students, students from low-income families, and students with disabilities.

Davin Takahashi

Technology and Website Coordinator

Davin Takahashi is an Educational Specialist at the Center on Disability Studies. He has brought his background in computer science in providing IT support and assistance with various STEM education projects at the Center on Disability Studies. He hopes to further explore ways in which technology can contribute to the improvement of education and other areas of life.

Dr. Naomi Rombaoa Tanaka

Poster Coordinator

Naomi Rombaoa Tanaka, Ph.D. is a faculty member of the Center on Disability Studies at the College of Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Naomi’s work aims to grow the strengths of educators, families, and students. She is passionate about strengthening teams through technical as well as adaptive leadership. Her area of interest is the use of technology to increase personal well-being, resilience, and peace.