Contributors

As the child of immigrants and a long-time resident of North Texas, Betsy Brody has spent her life observing the courage, resilience, and grit of immigrants as they make their lives in a new place. Her research combines a scholarly interest in the factors that affect the integration of immigrant groups and a lifelong fascination with the stories of immigrants. She is particularly interested in the variables that shape the integration process.

Thanin Viriyaki, a professional photographer, not only contributed to the “Digging In” oral history project by sharing his family’s story but also took portraits for it. He is well-known in the DFW Asian food scene for his magazine-worthy photographs of meals at local “mom and pop” restaurants, which have garnered him 75 million views and earned him the nickname “The Man With 75 Million Views” by D Magazine in 2022. Additionally, Thanin Viriyaki Photography, his business, has taken him around the globe to capture photographs of food, weddings, and other special events.

A lifelong learner and recent graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas, Alexa Kattampally has been working in the technology industry for almost 2 years now. With a degree in Information Technology and Systems, Alexa is passionate about making making meaningful contributions to the industry and has assisted in the creation of the "Digging in Dallas" website by making use of her skills in web development and technology. Her other interests include animals, creative hobbies, and Asian culture.

Marisa Green is a DFW area artist. Her design for the “Digging In” project superimposes an image of the Dallas skyline onto an Asian style bowl and spoon. Green’s art has been featured in local galleries and art shows in the DFW area.