Deschutes Research, Inc.

Meet our DRI staff members and associated staff

Herb Severson, Ph.D. is the founder of Deschutes Research, Inc. He is a research scientist and research psychologist. Herb has been in the research field for 25 years and has over 100 professional publications to his credit. His interests include fine wines, running and snowskiing.

Vanita Miller has been the Office Manager for Deschutes Research. Inc. since 1999, and has been involved in the research field since 1984. She also sits on the Human Subjects Review Board at Oregon Research Institute. Her interests include motor sports, dancing, attempting to do agility with her Malamute mix dog, hiking, cross-country skiing, and gardening. When not at DRI, Vanita enjoys relaxing on her 5-acre property outside of Eugene.

Cyndi LaMorticella is the Bookkeeper for DRI. Cyndi came to DRI from the Fern Ridge School District west of Eugene. Previously, she worked as a research assistant in the Sleep and Dream Lab at the University of Colorado. She is currently enrolled in the graduate program in Psyhology at the Univesity of Oregon. Cyndi enjoys hiking, traveling, sudoku, and gardening on her property in Elmira. She and her husband Tony hope to retire in Italy one day.

Chris Arthun, M.Ed is a Research Assistant II for DRI. Originally from Montana, he moved to Oregon for the healthful and progressive communities and to be near the ocean. Chris' background includes study and work in clinical psychology, middle/secondary education, and behavioral research. He enjoys small adventures with his family as well as nature observations and reading.

Chris Widdop, M.S. is a Research Assistant for DRI. His background is in counseling psychology. When not at DRI, Chris is an avid mountaineer, snowboarder, and cyclist. He is also the co-founder of Northwest Adventure Works, an adventure-based counseling group for adolescents.

Tracy Shaw is a Research Assistant II for DRI. She is originally from Okalahoma and recently moved to Eugene from North Carolina. Her background is in educational psychology and web-based education and evaluation. Outside of work, Tracy enjoys hiking, reading, learning Spanish, and exploring her new home in Eugene.

Liz Miles, Research Assistant II, is from Australia where she qualified as an RN and studied Health Promotion before working in the field of injury prevention and safety promotion for over ten years. Liz stays grounded with yoga, meditation, nature and gardening, while enjoying the unique lifestyle Eugene offers.

Robin Forster is a Research Assistant II for DRI. Robin earned her Masters in Special Education and her Bachelors in Planning Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon. Her background includes case managing at-risk youth, teaching social offenders and training staff who work with juvenile offenders. Before coming to DRI, Robin had been a Research Assistant with the Institute on Violent and Destructive Behavior, University of Oregon. In her spare time she likes to swim, bike, run, snowshoe and enjoy her grown children.

Cheryl Weimer, Research Assistant II. Cheryl's background in the last twenty years has been in behavioral research, the banking and computer industry. Originally from the Midwest, her love of the outdoors brought her to Oregon's camping, hiking, rafting and beaches, where she has resided since 1976. Her interests include cats, reading, photography, antiques and martial arts (Cheryl has a brown belt in TaeKwonDo). Cheryl spends her free time taking care of her animals on her 2.5 acre country property.

Sarah Goracke, Research Assistant I and Administrative Assistant for DRI. Sarah lives with her husband and small daughter outside Junction City where they contribute to the local allergy problem by farming grass seed. A native Oregonian, Sarah enjoys hiking, gardening and reading. Current endeavors at home include garment construction and window installations.

Laura Coen, Graphic Designer and Administrative Assistant. Laura came to DRI from Montana, where she taught technology at a rural elementary school through an AmeriCorps program. In her past lives she has been a technical recruiter, seamstress, rock climbing instructor and book designer. She is currently a student in the University of Oregon Digital Arts program and a mom.

Milagra Tyler is a research assistant. Her background includes a BA in psychology, an MA in elementary education and ten plus years working in both fields. When not at work, she enjoys camping and other outdoor activities around Oregon with her husband and sons, reading, cooking, eating and spending time with friends and family. Milagra dreams of traveling around the world, writing something others would like to read, and ensuring a sustainable future for her children.

Associated Staff

In addition to all of their dedicated permanent employees, Deschutes Research, Inc. is also privileged to work with the following individuals on various grants and projects.