EMERY OLSON

DAOM, LAc

503-913-1064 | [email protected] | Portland, OR

Research Interests

Integrative and complementary medicine, including acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine research, pain management, cancer research and oncology supportive care, evidence synthesis and systematic review methodology, health services research, treatment guidelines and standards development

Research Experience

Systematic Review Researcher
Pancreatic Cancer Systematic Review Collaboration | May 2025 – Present
Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine | Mentor: Dr. Lisa Conboy

• Leading a systematic review of herbal interventions for pancreatic cancer
• Performing comprehensive literature searches across multiple databases
• Screening and extracting data from research articles using systematic review protocols
• Synthesizing findings and contributing to manuscript development
• Documenting decisions and procedures for project record-keeping
• Expected manuscript completion: Spring 2026

Capstone Researcher
Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | April 2024 – October 2025
Project: “Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture and the Procedural Variations: A Scoping Review”
Advisor: Dr. Robyn Sodders

• Designed and conducted a comprehensive scoping study mapping the procedures documented in the literature on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture
• Performed systematic screening and selection using inclusion/exclusion criteria from an initial 507 records
• Extracted and analyzed qualitative data from 43 studies
• Managed and organized large datasets, ensuring accuracy through systematic data cleaning and entry
• Analyzed discrepancies in procedures (diagnosis, point location, needle characteristics, needle insertion, and devices for acupuncture point stimulation)
• Utilized Zotero for reference management and Covidence/Rayyan for data extraction and screening
• Drafted manuscript in alignment with APA 7
• Defended capstone with distinction, October 2025

Capstone Project Researcher (Mentored)
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR | April 2024 – August 2024
Project: “The Extent of Literature on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture: A Scoping Review”
Mentor: Dr. Lisa Conboy

• Conducted scoping study under direct mentorship
• Developed research design for original scoping study
• Designed and conducted a comprehensive scoping study mapping the extent of the literature on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture
• Searched five databases, identifying 194 relevant records and analyzing 31 full-text sources
• Reviewed existing literature and synthesized findings
• Enhanced knowledge of research methodologies and academic writing

Presentations & Conferences

“Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture Literature in English Language Databases: A Scoping Study”
Oral Presentation | 3rd Annual DAOM Research Symposium, Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | March 1, 2025

“The Extent of Literature on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture: A Scoping Review”
Poster Blitz (2-Minute Oral Presentation) | SAR International Research Conference, Newport Beach, CA | April 3, 2025

“The Extent of Literature on Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture: A Scoping Review”
Poster Presentation | SAR International Research Conference, Newport Beach, CA | April 3-6, 2025

“Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture and the Procedural Variations: A Scoping Review”
Capstone Defense – Passed with Distinction | Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | October 23, 2025

“Procedural Variations in Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture: A Scoping Review of Documentation and Standardization Issues”
Oral Presentation | 4th Annual DAOM Research Symposium, Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | January 31, 2026

“Clinical Outcomes from Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: a Systematic Review”
Poster Presentation (Accepted) | 2026 International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health, Salt Lake City, UT | April 20-23, 2026

Professional Development

Academic Exchange – China
World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and Quzhou Technical University | October – November 2025

• Participated in an international academic exchange program
• Engaged with traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and researchers

Special Interest Group Member, Society for Acupuncture Research Special Interest Group for Education (SAR SIG-Edu)
April 2025 – Present

• Participate in group discussions on improving research education in acupuncture schools

Research Skills & Competencies

Research Methodologies

• Systematic reviews and scoping reviews
• Evidence synthesis and meta-analysis frameworks
• Literature review and research design
• Data collection, cleaning, and analysis
• Research protocol development
• Comprehensive documentation of research procedures and methodologies

Technical Proficiencies

• Database searching: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, other biomedical databases
• Reference management: Zotero
• Screening and data extraction tools: Covidence, Rayyan
• Software: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom
• AI-assisted research tools: Claude.ai, ChatGPT, Otter.ai

Communication & Dissemination

• Strong academic and research written communication
• Oral presentation of research findings at conferences
• Poster development and presentation
• Manuscript drafting and development

Organizational & Project Coordination

• Time management and multitasking across multiple research projects
• Project coordination and timeline management
• Team collaboration and coordination with research team members
• Documentation of procedures, methods, and results

Project Management & Leadership Experience

President of the Board
Transpose PDX (501(c)(3) nonprofit organization), Portland, OR | June 2019 – July 2021

• Served as chief officer and Chair of the Board for a nonprofit organization
• Facilitated Board meetings and set agendas, managing governance and strategic planning
• Managed action items using project management software
• Demonstrated leadership in equity, access, and belonging initiatives

Bookkeeper
POCA Technical Institute, Portland, OR | February 2022 – December 2024

• Managed accounts receivable and payable, ensuring adequate cash flow
• Tracked and performed audits of inventory and cash management

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
2021 – 2024

• Led teams through setting ground rules, aligning priorities, and creating/adhering to timelines and budgets
• Managed conflicts and coached team members
• Identified risks, anticipated issues, and made data-informed decisions
• Served as spokesperson, writing communications to stakeholders

Student Council
Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | March 2025 – Present

• Maintain records for regular council meetings
• Organize student social events
• Gather student feedback and represent student interests to the administration
• Maintain student council group chats and coordinate student access to chats

Community Service Chair
Winona Grange #271, Tualatin, OR | October 2025 – Present

• Maintain records for members’ community service projects
• Organize social gatherings

Clinical & Professional Experience

Community Acupuncturist
Working Class Acupuncture, Portland, OR | January 2022 – Present

• Provide acupuncture in a community setting, serving diverse patient populations
• Document patient progress and outcomes, adhering to clinical guidelines
• Transitioned to per diem status in December 2024 to focus on research career development

Substance Use Treatment Program Acupuncturist
CODA (nonprofit substance use treatment program), Portland, OR | March 2023 – Present

• Provide acupuncture services to low-income and recovery-based communities
• Delivere individualized treatments based on standardized, research-supported protocols

Teaching & Mentorship Experience

Part-time Faculty – Living Anatomy
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR | Fall 2023

• Served as instructor of record for two sections of Living Anatomy, delivering lectures and providing independent course instruction
• Supervised and mentored two teaching assistants, coordinating their support of student learning and ensuring consistent instructional quality across sections
• Designed and administered exams, managed grading processes, and maintained consistent assessment standards across both sections
• Provided academic advising and mentorship to students, supporting their mastery of anatomical concepts and practical palpation skills
• Implemented curriculum modifications and instructional materials based on previous teaching assistant experience to enhance student learning outcomes

Teaching Assistant
Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Portland, OR | Fall 2019 – Summer 2024
Courses: Living Anatomy, Channels and Points, Acupuncture Techniques, Practice Management III & IV, Western Medical Pathology

• Assisted faculty with course instruction and student support across multiple courses
• Provided individualized support to students with diverse learning needs
• Served as a Teaching Assistant, collaborating with multiple faculty members and occasionally substitute teaching
• Developed original instructional materials and hosted both drop-in review sessions and exam preparation workshops to support diverse learning needs
• Updated assessment rubrics for Living Anatomy midterm and final exams to ensure consistent grading standards across multiple evaluators
• Provided individualized tutoring and mentorship to over two dozen students across multiple courses including Electroacupuncture and Microsystems, coaching them through oral exam preparation and effective material presentation strategies
• Facilitated Practice Management workshops in the community on the Business Model Canvas and provided extensive feedback on assignments to develop students’ business skills
• Designed and implemented student communication systems for tracking overdue assignments and examinations

Five Branches University, San Jose, CA | Fall 2025
Course: General Psychology

• Maintained a comprehensive assignment submissions tracking system to monitor student assignment completion rates and identify missing work
• Evaluated student essays and research papers using APA 7 style guidelines for student manuscripts
• Identified and documented suspected academic integrity violations, including potential AI-generated content
• Applied standardized grading rubrics consistently across all student submissions

Licenses, Certifications & Professional Affiliations

Licenses & Certifications

• Licensed Acupuncturist (OR) AC195752, Expires June 2026
• NCCAOM Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (Dipl. O.M.)
• CPR Certified, Expires August 2026
• Project Management Professional (PMP), 2021-2024

Professional Affiliations

• Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR)
• American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA)
• Oregon Association of Acupuncturists (OAA)
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
• American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)