Staff Members

Marc Marenco, D. Phil
Director

Dr. Marenco has taught Moral Philosophy at Pacific University since 1988. He received his M. Div. from Yale University in 1983 and his doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University in 1992. Professor Marenco teaches moral philosophy in the College of Arts and Science and biomedical ethics in Pacific Universities College of Health Professions. He is a regular lecturer in biomedical ethics and the current director of the Pacific Institute for Ethics and Social Policy. He lives with his wife, Anna, and two children, Paul and Daria, in Forest Grove Oregon.

Ron Louie

Associate Director for Community Relations

Chief Ron Louie has been in law enforcement for over 28 years. He has commanded the Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Department since 1992. Previously he served 5 years as the Chief of the Astoria, Oregon, Police Department, and 13 years with the Palo Alto, California, Police Department. Chief Louie is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Academy, Quantico, Virginia, and the Oregon Executive Development Institute.He holds a Master in Public Administration degree from Hayward State University, a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology from San Francisco State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from Hayward State University, and an Associate in Arts degree, graduating with Honors, from the College of San Mateo. As a member of the International Police Association, Chief Louie has toured with the former Royal Hong Kong Police force. He is a member of the Oregon Advisory Committee, United States Civil Rights Commission, and sits on the Advisory Boards of the National Asian Peace Officers' Association and the Hillsboro Boys and Girls Club. Chief Louie was responsible for initiating the first racial profiling data collection in the state of Oregon and the collection model and policy developed by the Hillsboro Police Department has been used as a guide in both Washington and Oregon. Chief Louie is a management consultant, published author, and college teacher.

The son of a classic Chinese opera actor, Chief Louie was raised in San Francisco. Labeled a juvenile delinquent after a few brushes with the law, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 16, and he participated in the initial amphibious landing of combat troops in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, Chief Louie received his high school GED and continued on to college on the GI Bill. Chief Louie and his wife Jo Anne live in Hillsboro with their two teenage children.

Lisa Sardinia Ph.D

Associate Director for University Relations

Lisa Sardinia has been a member of the faculty at Pacific University since 1996. She teaches Molecular Biology and Microbiology in the Biology Department, and Genetics in the College of Optometry and the Physician Assistant program. She received her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Montana State University, studying viral protein biochemistry. After her doctorate work, she received a National Cancer Institute postdoctoral research fellowship to study molecular genetics at the University of California, San Francisco, then began a teaching career that included stints at San Francisco State University and St. Olaf College. She then took a sideways turn, earning a law degree from the University of California, Hasting College of Law, clerking for a federal judge and working briefly for a patent law firm. She frequently speaks on the science and ethics of stem cell research and genetic testing and recently was named to the Thomas J. and Joyce Holce Professorship in Science, which will allow her to conduct research with students on the evolutionary genetics of enzymes involved in detoxification of environmental pollutants. She is currently taking courses to become a certified permaculturist, and spends her spare time developing her organic garden and hiking with her dog.

Chris Lane
Director of Technology & Online Learning Environments

Chris Lane has taught Mathematics and Computer Science at Pacific University since 1999. He did his graduate work in mathematics at the University of Oregon and computer science at OGI (Oregon Graduate Institute). In 2005 he joined the Pacific Institute as the Director of Online Technology. In addition to his work with the Institute, in 2006 he received a contract from OHSU to develop an online prostate cancer study and is also actively involved with the AP Calculus program. He lives with his wife Patty and communal stray cat Leo in Ridgefield, WA.

Heather Gegenhuber

Intern - Pharmacy

Heather graduated as co-valedictorian from Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Oregon.  She is currently a sophomore majoring in Biology at Pacific University, and a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.  After her undergraduate studies, she would like to attend graduate school to pursue a career in a health-related field.  Currently, she is planning on becoming a pharmacist.

Vena Haynes

Intern - Physical Therapy

Vena is from Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii and a Sophomore at Pacific University.  She is majoring in biology, with a minor in music.  Her career goal is to become a physical therapist, and believes that being physical therapy intern for the Pacific Institute is a perfect fit with this.

Heather Ritenour

Intern - Physician Assistant

Heather is a sophomore at Pacific University. She is planning to major in Biology and minor in Spanish. After her undergraduate studies, she wishes to go to a graduate program for Physician Assistant studies.

Jeff Breitenfeldt

Intern

Jeff Breitenfeldt is currently a student at Pacific University studying literature and philosophy - his primary areas of interest are theories of interpretation and meaning as well as cultural studies. Jeff is a recent transfer from Alaska Pacific University and still maintains residence in Anchorage. His ambitions involve graduate study in preparation for teaching in higher education. Together he and his spouse Betsy have all the requisite Alaskan amenities including a Husky (named Emily), a Subaru, and more outdoors equipment than is allowed by fire code in all of the lower 49 states.