Welcome
Research & Academic Volunteer Services connects potential volunteers to various opportunities, orients them to the complex OHSU environment, and guides them through the volunteer registration process. This program also links Research, Academic, and Central Services departments to interested volunteers.
Hours of Operation
Walk-in hours:
- Tuesdays, 1pm-3pm
- Or make an appointment by e-mailing RAVolunteer@ohsu.edu, subject: Appointment Request
Location:
Locations can vary - contact us! We will either set up an appointment & location, or notify you of where our weekly "Walk-in Hours" session is being hosted.
Volunteer Voices
Three years ago while taking a cell biology course, Lacey Royer, found her passion in science. During that course she realized that she wanted to be a doctor with a possible emphasis on cancer scientific research. In December of 2010 she began volunteering with an OHSU Hematology/Oncology Research laboratory at the Knight Cancer Institute under Angela Fleischman, M.D. /PhD. Since Royer began over two years ago she has learned about cell culture, microscopy, cell staining, processing patient and mice blood samples, cell sorting and counting, and attends weekly lab meetings. Now that she has gained a great knowledge of the lab she spends a majority of her time working with mouse models that are under certain experimental conditions. She takes blood samples and analyzes them using specialized cell counter and monitor changes among their blood levels, health, and behavior.
When asked, Royer describes the her time as "…extremely beneficial…I have learned so much, not only about scientific research but about myself. I have performed tasks that I never thought I could do and know that I have what it takes to do anything I set my mind to. My time at OHSU has also made me a better person and student by learning how to work best under pressure."
To learn about how to become a volunteer like Royer, see our guide to registering as a volunteer. To learn about the research conducted at the Knight Cancer Institute see OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Research Programs.
