Bio

Eliana Lobo is an experienced CoreCHI-P certified interpreter and certified Trainer of Trainers. She is a Portuguese language teacher and an adjunct professor of healthcare interpreting at Highline College who has presented at many healthcare and international interpreter conferences. Eliana is a certified TEFL instructor and an adult literacy teacher. She earned two M.A.s from Brown University: in Bilingual Education; and Portuguese & Brazilian Studies. She began her career as a Spanish and Portuguese medical interpreter at Rhode Island Hospital, the teaching hospital for Brown University’s Medical School. Later, in New York City, she supervised Spanish and Portuguese translators at a law firm in the 30 Rock building and worked in Latin American Security Services for a major international bank. After leaving New York for Seattle to become the Trainer-Supervisor at Harborview Medical Center’s Department of Interpreter Services, she trained and supervised the center’s in-house staff of 49 interpreters for eight years. Later, she stepped into the position of National Director of Interpreter Quality for a language services provider, and subsequently served as Director of Multicultural Awareness Programs & Services for another LSP. Lobo is currently the Director of Lobo Language Access in Tacoma Washington, where she provides consultation on language access, interpreter training curricula, and customized training for providers on how to partner with interpreters for public and private clients. Eliana served as a Commissioner for the Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), from 2015-2021. She has volunteered with the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care’s “Home for Trainers” webinar workgroup since 2014. "Home for Trainers" has presented and hosted over 60 webinars offering continuing education credits for interpreters as well as trainers of healthcare interpreters. Eliana is currently serving her second term on the Board of the NCIHC where she chairs the Standards and Training Committee and also serves as the organization’s President.

Abstract

Interpreting is a cognitively demanding profession that often places practitioners in high-stress environments such as medical, legal, and conference settings. Stress can impair memory, language processing, and decision-making, directly affecting interpreting quality. This webinar offers practical strategies to help interpreters recognize, manage, and mitigate stress in real-time. Participants will explore:

• The physiological and psychological impacts of stress on language production and cognitive function.
• Self-calming techniques, including breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, to maintain composure during assignments.
• Methods for establishing baseline metrics to assess and improve interpreting speed and memory retention.
• Simulated interpretation scenarios that mimic real-world pressures, providing a safe space to practice stress management techniques.
• Customizable scripts for pre-session introductions and strategies for requesting repetitions or clarifications, enhancing communication flow. 

Attendees will engage in interactive exercises designed to build resilience and adaptability, ensuring they are better equipped to handle the challenges of interpreting under stress. By the end of the session, interpreters will have a toolkit of techniques to enhance their performance and well-being in high-pressure situations.

Bio

Natasha Hendler is an incoming doctoral student in French literature at King’s College London. Her specialization is on female writers during the 19th century, and she has previously translated works from the 18th century. Additionally, Hendler has presented her research on French New Wave cinema at Harvard's IWL program. She recently graduated from Binghamton University with an MA in French, and a certificate in Translation Studies.

Abstract

The presentation will focus on the translation of Émilie du Châtelet's philosophical text, "Discours sur le bonheur." Châtelet was known for not only being a philosopher, but also a translator herself, as well as a woman in STEM. The case study itself will be centered around the second half of the philosophical discourse. The presentation includes several assessments to demonstrate the ways in which the translation is a feminist work, and will also explore the ideas of theorists such as Luise von Flotow, Sherry Simon, Judith Zinsser, and others.

Bio

Ági Bori originally hails from Hungary and has lived in the United States for more than thirty years. A decade ago, she decided to try her hand at translating and discovered she loved it. She is a fierce advocate for bringing more translated books to anglophone readers. In addition to translating between Hungarian and English, her favorite activity is reading Russian short stories in the original language. Her translations and writings are available or forthcoming in 3:AM, Apofenie, Asymptote, The Baffler, B O D Y, The Forward, Hopscotch Translation, Hungarian Literature Online, the Los Angeles Review, Litro Magazine, MAYDAY, Northwest Review, Points in Case, The Rumpus, Tablet, Trafika Europe, and elsewhere. She is a translation editor at the Los Angeles Review.

Bio

Jacob Mikanowski is a writer, historian, and journalist whose work centers on the past and present of Eastern Europe. He received his Ph.D. in European History from the University of California, Berkeley in 2024, with a dissertation on discourses of self-concealment in Stalinist Poland. As a journalist, he has covered current events in Poland, Hungary and neighboring countries for outlets including The Guardian, Harper’s Magazine and The New York Times. His first book, Goodbye, Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land, was published in 2023. Having translated multiple source texts for the book, he discovered a love for the art of translation and has since begun a project of bringing work by the Polish poet Eugenius Tkaczyszyn-Dycki into English, publishing a gathering of his work in Turkoslavia earlier this year.

Bio

Erin Riddle is a literary and book translator living in Owego, NY. She earned an MA in Comparative Literature and a PhD in Translation Studies from Binghamton University, and works as a translator, independent scholar, and academic editor. Her translations include prose fiction from German and Spanish language, with a focus on the themes of politics, social justice, and nature. Erin chooses to translate only female authors to promote women in translation and help address the gap for female authors published around the world. Her work has been published in a handful of small literary journals, and she is currently working with German author Anne Richter to translate a novel set in post-war East Germany. Erin is an active member of the American Translators Association and enjoys attending and participating in the OSTI conference (since 2020).

Abstract

This panel offers observations from translators working with literature translated into English and intended for readers in the United States. Their projects entail works from German, Hungarian, and Polish that explore, through fiction, the emotional and psychological impact of totalitarianism, political oppression, government intervention, and/or genocide in all aspects of life. In addition, these works explore collective trauma endured by individuals that is often passed on to future generations. These translators will share their thought process and decision-making while translating works from a specific shared experience and making them available to a larger audience beyond their original context. Furthermore, this panel explores how literary expression of such experiences can offer an appreciation of the individual and collective human impact for many who have never experienced it themselves.

Bio

Ghada Mourad is a lecturer and a literary translator, translating from Arabic and French. Her translation from the French of the novel The Last Syrian was published in 2024 by the University of Chicago Press. Her translations have appeared in World Literature Today, Modern Poetry in Translation, Words Without Borders, Asymptote, English Pen, among others.

Bio

Jordan Landsman is a writer and translator based in Hunter, NY. His work has appeared in Lit Hub, BOMB, Asymptote, and Latin American Literature Today. His first book-length translation, Ángel Bonomini's The Novices of Lerna, was published in 2024 by Transit Books.

Bio

Yana Ellis found her ideal career in her middle years and graduated in 2021 with a merit in her MA in Translation from the University of Bristol. She was shortlisted for the 2022 John Dryden Translation Competition and in the same year was awarded an ALTA Travel Fellowship. She translates fiction and creative non-fiction from Bulgarian and German. The Wolves of Staro Selo is her first full-length literary translation.

Bio

Allison deFreese is president of the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI), and teaches in the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley's virtual Master of Arts in Spanish Translation and Interpreting program. She has published a few books.

Bio

Milly Golia is a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics and Translation at Jaume I University in Spain. In her doctoral research, she examines translation and interpretation within the educational, legal, and medical sectors in the United States, focusing on proposals for communication improvement through the academic training program Take5steps©. After earning an MA in Legal Translation with a double major in Translation and Conference Interpreting from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she earned two certificates in Global Operations Management and Applied Project Management from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). She then started a translation company first in Argentina and later in California. She is the Founder and CEO of Bureaucom LLC, a multilingual service provider offering written and oral translations in over 40 languages. Additionally, she developed the Legal Spanish Interpreting Program at the University of California, Irvine, and works as an instructor for the Certificate Program there. Milly also created a curriculum called Take5steps©, a training program for students aspiring to become professional translators or interpreters. She is the author of a handbook titled “The Professional Interpreter”© and co-authored the English-Spanish Special Education Glossary Book (ISBN 978-0-9793446-1-9). Her professional career spans the United States, Europe, and South America, where she has worked as a translator and interpreter, localization manager, consultant, and international lecturer. She is also the Founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization called Language Access. Its main goal is to advocate for language access and influence policies that promote language access in public services, healthcare, and education, supporting non-native speakers and marginalized communities.

Bio

Mamen Delgado es mentora de Voz y Comunicación en Público, Locutora de Publicidad y Actriz de Doblaje con más de 30 años de experiencia. Es Diplomada en Ciencias de la Información, y se formó durante 5 años en Interpretación y Técnica Vocal en la Escuela Carlos Infante de Madrid. Está en el equipo organizador de TEDxTorrelodones donde mentoriza a ponentes, y ha sido colaboradora en el programa EMPRENDE de RTVE, ayudando a emprendedores y profesionales a mejorar sus discursos del ascensor ante clientes e inversores. Su experiencia en locuciones, doblaje, radio y TV le dan un amplio abanico de recursos para llevar a los equipos de trabajo hacia el éxito con sus habilidades comunicativas, trabajando especialmente su herramienta de comunicación más poderosa: la voz. Es locutora de publicidad y ha puesto voz en vídeos corporativos para Peugeot, Iberia, Ericsson, Indra, OHL, Endesa, Clinique, Fundación MAPFRE, Fundación Telefónica, y multitud de otras grandes y pequeñas empresas. Ha colaborado con RTVE y Grupos Atresmedia y Mediaset en diversos proyectos de doblaje y locución. Durante 11 años fue la voz institucional de Telefónica I+D, donde grabó más de 500 servicios. Como mentora de voz ayuda a directivos de empresas del IBEX a optimizar su voz, sin cansarse ni forzar las cuerdas vocales. Se considera a sí misma una Personal Trainer de la voz.

Abstract

Mi presentación estará focalizada en los cuidados de la voz, en intentar ser más conscientes de cómo funciona nuestro aparato fonador y en dar herramientas para que a lo largo del día podamos liberar nuestra voz del cansancio y el estrés acumulado. /

This presentation will focus on how to care for your voice and raise awareness about ways this important part of your anatomy can be used as a tool for clear and effective communication, thus enhancing your performance as an interpreter. Together, we will examine how both accumulated stress and physical fatigue can impact the voice, healthy habits for voice work, and strategies to care for your voice as an interpreter.

Bio

Sofia Molina has been an OR/WA certified Court interpreter since 2012. Based in Portland, Oregon, in the past 20 years she has travelled extensively for work and discovered that court ​interpreting protocol ​can vary. Through her work, she noticed ​that ​few training​s are available to legal interpreters regarding what to do, how to build a glossary, or about basic rules and etiquette in the courtroom. She decided to create this workshop to help struggling interpreters of all levels and backgrounds. Organization, efficiency, and time awareness are key to being an interpreter, and Sofia has strived to apply this principle to everything in her life. She has mentored many new interpreters and held talks for schedulers, to make their work easier as they are just getting started in the field. Sofia has also enjoyed a long career working onstage as an actor and singer. She plans to retire in Mexico City and continue travelling.

Abstract

Many new, travelling, or seasoned interpreters sometimes lack precise knowledge of protocol and procedure in court assignments. This presentation will explore canons, rules, and tips to prepare and be fully functional with lawyers, judges, and team interpreting colleagues. We will review a helpful collection of tricks and suggestions that will help you improve your interpreting skills and so you can better perform in courtroom settings!

Bio

Lilly Lee, PT, OCS, is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist with experience across hospital-based and outpatient settings. She currently provides telehealth care at Good Health Physical Therapy in Portland, Oregon, where she specializes in hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Her work blends clinical precision with patient-centered insight, focusing on functional testing and neurological assessment. With a passion for interdisciplinary communication, Lilly’s presentations help language professionals connect medical terminology to patient presentation in both clinical and legal contexts.

Abstract

Medical interpreters and translators serve as vital connectors across language, science, and patient experience. This presentation, from a physical therapist’s perspective, focuses on clinical testing of the 12 cranial nerves and how dysfunction manifests in observable signs—such as impaired eye movement, facial asymmetry, speech changes, and altered balance. Rather than emphasizing anatomy, the session highlights functional loss and testing strategies used in real-world contexts, including post-stroke assessment, motor vehicle accidents, vertebral artery compromise, and disease-related neurological decline. Attendees will gain tools to interpret medical vocabulary alongside clinical presentation, enhancing their precision when working with documentation and live interpretation. This deeper understanding supports more confident translation of medical records and courtroom proceedings, where anatomical language and patient function often intersect. By combining clinical insight with language expertise, the session empowers professionals to bridge neurophysiology with clear, informed communication.

Bio

Devin Lukachik (San Antonio, TX) is a Certified Spanish Healthcare Interpreter and a licensed Clinical Fellow in Speech-Language Pathology. He evaluates and treats a wide variety of disorders but especially enjoys working with head and neck cancer, swallowing disorders, voice/upper airway disorders, ALS, and Parkinson’s Disease.

Abstract

In this presentation, we will explore the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AAC) and its implications for educational and medical interpreters. Focuses will include types of devices, unique language used, best practices for communicating with device users, and approaching the collaborative effort of device programming.

Bio

Romina Espinosa (Lima, Peru) is an interpreter and translator based in San Diego, California. She also serves as Treasurer on OSTI's Board of Directors. A left-handed eclectic soul, Romina holds degrees from UC San Diego and University of Oviedo (Spain). You can find her catching a sunset, buying flowers, or running outdoors (her most joyful activities) when she is not on a mission to save lives as a full-time medical interpreter at UC San Diego Health.

Abstract

Without a doubt, medical interpreters—whether working in-Person, video-remote, or over-the-Phone modalities—impact patient care. Interpreters are essential. However, have you ever thought about cases where medical provider(s), the patient, and family would highly benefit from in-person interpretation services? As an interpreter, how would you handle a session at an operating room during a deep brain stimulator implant surgery while the patient is fully awake the entire time? Do you want to expand your interpreter portfolio by offering in-person interpreting services at clinics or hospitals? If these questions sound like food for thought, you don’t want to miss the answers! This two-part interactive workshop is based on “A Team in Good Health: Why In-House Medical Interpreting is Better for Our Health,” an article published in the summer 2024 UK’s Chartered Institute of Linguists’s journal publication, The Linguist. The speaker will first offer insights about the benefits of working in-person as a medical interpreter, then provide three to five scenarios to illustrate the need of on-site interpreting. Participants will see how the NCIHC code of ethics plays a role in the decision-making process during those scenarios and participate in an open dialogue. Both new and seasoned interpreters are encouraged to join. This workshop is open to all!

Bio

Christopher Cardona, a member of the Queer Community, holds a BA in Business, a Master of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, and a PhD in Religious Studies. He also holds many certificates in Online Facilitation, ASL Semantics, LGBTQ+ Studies, and Human Subject Research. While he has a near perfect score on the Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment and is a trained Medical Interpreter, Christopher's passion is interpreting performance arts. He has interpreted for politicians at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as for artists such as Madonna, Reba, Jordan Davis, Cher, and KISS. He has interpreted on Broadway and for the movie industry in Los Angeles. Christopher is a published author, having co-authored a textbook for ASL students and articles for the Senate Rostrum, an academic journal for educators. Currently, Christopher Cardona is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Interpreter Training Program of Augustana University, mentors certified interpreters for the Department of Health and Human Services and owns C4 Communication ASL and Spanish Interpreting Services.

Abstract

In this dynamic session, participants will explore the intersection of interpreting and identity through an in-depth look at terminology, strategies, and respectful practices when working with LGBTQ+ individuals. Through a combination of lecture, group discussion, demonstrations, and interactive activities, attendees will actively engage with the content while integrating new knowledge into their interpreting skill set.

Bio

Allison deFreese is president of the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters, and teaches in the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley's virtual Master of Arts in Spanish Translation and Interpreting program. She has published a few books.

Abstract

Cat got your tongue? You don't have to clam up or feel like a fish out of water! This fun, interactive workshop will explore idiomatic expressions and set phrases involving animals of all sizes and phylum. We will also take a closer look at the way references to animals can carry innuendos and hidden meanings. The elephant in the room is that these often change, depending on the language or cultural context. How would you translate "Como el burro que tocó la flauta," "Bey u beel weeche" '"猿も木から落ちる", or "Ich glaube, mein Schwein pfeift" into English? This workshop will include discussions, quizzes, and exercises appropriate for interpreters of all levels wishing to deepen their practice, as well as a touch of translation theory via Peter Newmark's The Translation of Metaphor (because, after all, "animal metaphors or metonyms […] are not intertranslatable"). This presentation will focus on discussion and examine examples provided from audience participation.

Bio

Daya Shakya is a prominent figure in the Nepalese community, particularly in Oregon. He is known for his work in Education, Linguistics, and community services including court interpretation. He is also known for his efforts in promoting and preserving Newar culture and identity abroad. Notable achievements include:

• Cultural Preservation: Daya Shakya has worked tirelessly to preserve / Nepalese/ Newar culture, traditions and language. He has helped organize various cultural events, festivals, and workshops to promote heritage.
• Newar Language and Literature: He has contributed significantly to the promotion of the Newar and Nepali Language and literature. Daya Shakya has written several books and articles in Newar, Nepali, English and has also worked on language documentation and preservation. 
• Community Service: Daya Shakya has been actively involved in various community service initiatives, focusing on education, healthcare, and social welfare. He has worked with local organizations and communities to support marginalized groups and promote social justice.
• International Recognition: His efforts have gained international recognition, and he has been invited to speak at various cultural and academic events worldwide. Daya Shakya’s work has helped promote cross-cultural understanding and exchange between Nepal and other countries. 
• Leadership and Collaboration: As a leader, Daya Shakya has collaborated with various organizations, institutions, and individuals to promote Newar culture and community development. He has helped build partnerships and networks to support cultural preservation and community empowerment.

Daya has a postgraduate degree in Nepalese languages, literature and linguistics, and has taught at various institutions, including Lane Community College, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College and Bodhi Tree Language Center in Portland Oregon USA. Daya Shakya’s dedication and contributions to Nepalese culture and community have made a lasting impact and his work continues to inspire future generations.

Abstract

Several years ago, while searching for words in an edition of the Longman Dictionary of American English, I happened upon the term /Goggling/. My curiosity about the word continues to this day. Today, even academic environments rely on Googling as a source of information and sometimes use the online search engine to establish facts and determine what we “know.” Whenever we want to find something new, we always start by saying “let’s Google it!’ Do you think Googling is a trustworthy research method? In this paper I will illustrate some red flags to be aware of before trusting Google results. For instance, according to Google my mother is NEWARI, a derogatory term used to devalue the importance of the language in Nepalese context. Similarly, we may find our Google searches yield other “information” that varies from fact. Especially in translation or interpreting settings, Google may lead us erroneous examples regarding health issues including emotion regulation, stress, anxiety, and mental health. This presentation will include an open discussion and time or questions.

Bio

Judith Puente es una traductora e intérprete remota guatemalteca-estadounidense de inglés y español que reside actualmente en Oregón, Estados Unidos. Hispanohablante nativa, Judith creció en Guatemala, se formó y educó bilingüe en inglés y español, aunque también habla un poco de alemán e italiano. Es Traductora Jurada en Guatemala desde 1999 y obtuvo una Licenciatura en Traducción de Inglés y Español de la Universidad Mariano Gálvez. Sus principales competencias incluyen traducción, interpretación remota, corrección de textos, transcripción, ingreso de datos, localización, traducción técnica, médica, educativa, subtitulado y asistente virtual, entre otras funciones. Ha sido miembro activo ininterrumpidamente de la Asociación Americana de Traductores (ATA) desde 1998 y de la Asociación Guatemalteca de Traductores e Intérpretes (AGIT). En 2019 se unió a las asociaciones profesionales: Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI) y de Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS), y posteriormente en el año 2024 de AAITE (American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education) y NAETISL (National Association of Educational Translators and Interpreters of Spoken Languages). Durante sus más de 25 años de carrera profesional, ha trabajado como traductora independiente para varias agencias en Estados Unidos, siendo contratada como lingüista cualificada por el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) para los dialectos caribeño y mexicano e inglés no estándar. Ha traducido con éxito más de 1500 proyectos completos, desde documentos, libros, hasta sitios web completos.

Bio

William Giller holds a master’s degree in Translation and Interpretation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He works as a conference and healthcare interpreter and translator and is the current manager of Interpreter Services at University of California San Diego Health. William is a Commissioner for the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters as well as CHI™-Spanish. Additionally, he is the digital content chair for the Northern California Translators Association.

Bio

Bio for Veronica Escobar pending.

Bio

Christopher Cardona, a member of the Queer Community, holds a BA in Business, a Master of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics, and a PhD in Religious Studies. He also holds many certificates in Online Facilitation, ASL Semantics, LGBTQ+ Studies, and Human Subject Research. While he has a near perfect score on the Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment and is a trained Medical Interpreter, Christopher's passion is interpreting performance arts. He has interpreted for politicians at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as artists such as Madonna, Reba, Jordan Davis, Cher, and KISS. He has interpreted on Broadway and for the movie industry in Los Angeles. Christopher is a published author, having co-authored a textbook for ASL students and articles for the Senate Rostrum, an academic journal for educators. Currently, Christopher Cardona is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Interpreter Training Program of Augustana University, mentors certified interpreters for the Department of Health and Human Services and owns C4 Communication ASL and Spanish Interpreting Services.

Bio

Amanda Wheeler-Kay (she/her), interpreter, teacher, lifelong learner. I am a white woman from Oregon who learned to speak Spanish as an adult. I have been a community and health care interpreter in the Portland area since 2007. I previously worked as a bilingual social worker, and that experience informs my work as an interpreter and teacher. I prefer to create and teach classes in collaboration with other language equity advocates. I grew up in the Portland area, and my heart also lives in two other communities I once called home: Washington DC, USA Buena Vista, San Pedro Perulapán, Cuscatlán, El Salvador. I love to travel with friends and family and play noncompetitive soccer. I do my best to “make good trouble, necessary trouble” following the call to action of the late Civil Rights leader and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. I share a home with my stepson and two cats.

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