Larry Gray – a third-year student in the School of Medicine Graduate Studies program – is the new student representative to the OHSU Board of Directors. Recommended by President Joe Robertson, Larry's appointment was forwarded to Governor Ted Kulongoski and approved by the Oregon Senate on June 24. Larry's appointment will become effective with the OHSU Board's October 2008 meeting.

Larry says he will rely on his background as a researcher to help fulfill this leadership role. "Science teaches you to develop an answerable question, and then use that question to propose one or more solutions," said Gray. "I'd like to use the tools that assist my scientific analyses to address some of the complex issues the Board faces, and create effective data-driven advocacy for students at OHSU."

Larry grew up in Jonesboro, Louisiana. At 18, he became involved in the installation of worldwide telecommunication networks. The job involved frequent trips to Sri Lanka, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Africa. During this period, Larry began to understand and embrace underlying principles of diversity that have transitioned with him into his research career. "Living in the U.S. while working with people in developing nations gave me a first-hand understanding of the commonalities that exist even in such radically different environments. Driven by our individual experiences, we each had our own method of working on a task, but together we arrived at the same outcome. Working with different people on a project can broaden the scope of how one goes about things."

Larry received his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University and conducted post-graduate work there and in Australia before joining the OHSU Graduate Studies program in the lab of Svetlana Lutsenko, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on the role of copper and metalloproteins in the body.

"We are fortunate to have someone like Larry to fill the important role of student representative on the OHSU Board of Directors," said Mark Richardson, School of Medicine Dean. "His input will be invaluable. His diverse educational background, commitment to OHSU and basic science training make him an outstanding contributor to our community on all fronts."

Allison Fryer, PhD, interim Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, said: "Larry is an individual who, through his scientific discoveries, his recruitment of talented students to OHSU, and his extensive work as a volunteer in the community, seeks to improve the lives of those around him."