Natural Sciences Advising Team

Courtney is the Assistant Director for College & Career Advising working with the natural science and pre-health advising teams. She holds a BA in Speech Communication and MA’s in Conflict and Dispute Resolution and International Studies. Courtney is deeply committed to advancing educational equity and is passionate about providing holistic student support. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with family, and salsa dancing.

Sonia Gordillo is a Pre-Health Advisor within Tykeson College and Career Advising. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Social Work from Portland State University with a double minor in Spanish and Child & Family Studies (2018). In 2019, Sonia received her Masters in Social Work from Pacific University. Sonia is a first-generation Mexican-American from Eugene, Oregon. As Sonia states, “Being a first-generation student going through the University system was challenging, to say the least. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the wonderful support of mentors and advisors who have guided me along the way. I now hope I can be a strong guiding force to first-generation and underrepresented students at the University of Oregon.” Outside of work, Sonia loves to play and watch soccer, cook traditional Mexican food, and spend quality time with her toddler.

Originally from Vancouver, WA, Camille grew up in California’s Sierra Foothills. She returned to her beloved Pacific Northwest as soon as possible, beginning her UO journey in Fall of 2020. After a strange year of social distancing and weekly nasal swabs, Camille set out to maximize her campus involvement. While working as a Resident Assistant in University Housing and a Well-Being Coach at the REC, Camille discovered her love for guiding students through all the wild ups and downs of college life. After graduating in 2024 with her B.S. in Multidisciplinary Science, Camille spent a year co-directing a residence hall at UC Santa Barbara. She returned to the UO promptly afterward to support both Pre-Health and Natural Science Advising. Outside of work, you can find Camille buying strange items at the thrift store, birdwatching with her cat, and avoiding cooking dinner at all costs.

Barbara has called Oregon home since 1998, previously living in the Midwest. She has two master’s degrees, a Master of Arts in Sociology from Ohio University and Master of Education in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. Since earning her degree from OSU, Barbara has worked at both community colleges and state universities, mostly within Oregon but did include a short stint at Idaho State University. Deciding the snow was not preferable, Barbara returned to Oregon landing in Clackamas. Most recently, Barbara has been advising for Tykeson College and Career Advising since 2019 and is currently working with students who major in Human Physiology, Biology, and Neuroscience. As a first-generation college student, Barbara especially enjoys working with underserved student populations focusing on the most successful path for each student. Outside of work Barbara enjoys yoga, trips to the Coast, and spending time with family.

Amanda (she/her) advises pre-Health students at all stages of their undergraduate careers. She is a transfer student with a B.A. and M.A. in English from Cal State Los Angeles and was ABD at UC Davis’s English Ph.D program (she is also happy to talk about these experiences with non-pre-Health students). Amanda has been teaching and working in higher ed for the past seven years and looks forward to helping students develop healthy and sustainable methods for achieving their goals. She is an avid baker from California, where she won First Place and Best of Class in two cookie categories at the California State Fair, and has logged hundreds of hours playing Stardew Valley.

Daniel is an Academic Advisor for Biology, Human Physiology, and Neuroscience majors within the College of Arts and Sciences. He is originally from Michigan and spent four cold years on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. Most recently, he spent three years in New Hampshire teaching anatomy/physiology and cellular/molecular biology labs and climbing mountains. Daniel has undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University (go green!) in Genomics & Molecular Genetics and Anthropology, as well as a master's in Postsecondary Biology Education from Northern Michigan University. Besides college teaching, Daniel has spent time in college admissions, advising at the high school level, and working in campus housing as a Resident Assistant. Daniel likes to make and consume a variety of baked goods, read, listen to podcasts, and earn splat points at Orangetheory in his free time. Don’t ask him about his car.

Dane earned his BS in Cinema Production from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) and worked in the graphic design field for 3 years. Deciding that he preferred coaching youth track and field over his graphic design job, he made a career shift to become a teacher. He earned his Master of Arts in Teaching for middle school math (Western Governor’s University) during COVID and taught in alternative education before transitioning careers again to become an academic advisor with the University of Oregon. Dane has lived in Eugene since 2021 and in Oregon since 2017. He enjoys riding his bike, taking his dog to the park, and trying local restaurants.

Elizabeth’s advising focuses on STEM fields, particularly Data Science, Computer Science, and Math. Elizabeth holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and an M.A. degree in Linguistics from University College London. When not at work Elizabeth might be flying a stunt kite, riding a recumbent trike, training at the Family Karate Center, or making something in the workshop, but is most likely parenting. Elizabeth has lived and/or professional experience with the following minority groups: first-generation, international, trans/gender non-conforming, and neurodivergent.

Ahoy! Michelle Alexander is a NatSci advisor with Tykeson College and Career Advising. She holds a BS in Sociology from Portland State University and an MS and PhD in Sociology from the University of Oregon. Michelle uses her experience as a non-traditional student and passing through spaces where she was non-typical to inform her advising. In her free time, she makes sure her two cats are just as pampered as possible. Michelle’s dissertation Roles of the Dice continues to inform her thinking about how structure and individuality co-construct our experiences in the various facets of our lives – including in the institution. She is always down to talk cats, books, and why Science Fiction should have more unicorns and Fantasy should have more space ships.