Ayanna Yonemura, Ph.D.
The Intercultural Oral and Deaf History Project
The Intercultural Oral and Deaf History Project centers undergraduate student research. Students serve as the primary researchers, conducting in-depth oral and Deaf history interviews with narrators from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Students engage in scholarly analysis of their narrators' lived experiences, exploring themes of identity, community, and history. They also present their findings in academic settings, including conferences and classroom forums, contributing to broader conversations in community health sciences, political science, Deaf Studies, ethnic studies, women and gender studies, sociology, and history.
The IODHP emphasizes cultural humility and inclusive research practices, fostering community building which enriches our university and society.
Upcoming Panel Presentation
Friday, November 21, 2025, 2-2:50pm on Zoom
Presenting Research Associates: Sahar Ashimi, Ameil Ramirez, Elijah Williams
Email yonemura@csus.edu for the Zoom invite.
More details will be posted here.
Sahar Ashimi, Research Associate
Sahar's research focuses on the intersections of law, culture, and society. She is a sophomore and plans to have a career in the legal field.

Ameil Ramirez, Research Associate
Ameil is a sophomore at Sacramento State majoring in computer engineering with a minor in biology. His research intersects with the community health sciences. Ameil is planning on a career as a biomedical research.

Elijah Williams, Research Associate
Elijah is a fourth-year pre-medical student from Sacramento, California. He currently serves as the Secretary of Sacramento State's Black Healthcare Club. Elijah is a recipient of the Nakai Young Scholarship.

Ayanna Yonemura, Ph.D., Director
Dr. Yonemura is a scholar of race, culture, and public policy. She has authored of two books: Women, Wars, and Public Policies and Race, Nation, War. Dr. Yonemura teaches in the Ethnic Studies and Sociology Departments.

Email us
- saharashimi@csus.edu
- ameilramirez@csus.edu
- elijahrwilliams@csus.edu
- yonemura@csus.edu