OCTRI People and Programs

OCTRI is comprised of more than 10 teams that provide a wide variety of programs and services designed to support and advance clinical and translational research. 

Executive Leadership Team

Professional portrait of Dr. Cindy Morris, Senior Associate Director of the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Cynthia Morris, PhD, MPH
Senior Associate Director & co-PI
Director, Workforce Development
morrisc@ohsu.edu

Professional portrait of Chris Larsen, MS, Associate Director of Finance and Operations for the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Chris Larsen, MS 
Associate Director, Finance and Operations
larschri@ohsu.edu

Professional portrait of Dr. Jackie Shannon, Associate Director for the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.
Professional portrait of Dr. Trish Pruis, Assistant Director of Strategy and Communications for the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Trish Pruis, PhD 
Assistant Director, Strategy and Communications
pruist@ohsu.edu

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD)

The BERD team provides biostatistics support to basic, clinical, and population science investigators with the goal of improving scientific quality and rigor of translational research.  Visit the OCTRI BERD web page.

Professional photo of Barbara Brumbach

Barbara Brumbach, PhD
Co-Director, BERD
brumbacb@ohsu.edu 

Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)

The CTRC is OCTRI’s laboratory for human research and provides participant-based services for investigators, including nursing, bionutrition, study coordination and inpatient and outpatient facilities.  Visit the OCTRI CTRC web page.

Professional portrait of Brian Booty, CCRP, Clinical Research Manager for the Clinical and Translational Research Center at the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.

Brian Booty, CCRP 
Clinical Research Manager 
booty@ohsu.edu

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Julia Jordan, MS, RD, LD 
Bionutrition Unit Manager 
jordanju@ohsu.edu 

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Kelli Frost, BS 
Administrative Manager 
frost@ohsu.edu 

Professional photo of Clive Woffendin

Clive Woffendin, PhD 
CTRC Lab Manager 
woffendi@ohsu.edu 

Clinical Research Optimization: Navigator and Recruitment

The OCTRI Navigator is your one-stop shop for questions about clinical and translational research at OHSU. OCTRI Recruitment connects with research teams to ensure they have the tools and support they need for successful recruitment and retention throughout their studies. For more information, visit the Navigator or Recruitment webpages.

Professional photo of Kitt Swartz

Kitt Swartz, MPH 
Assistant Director, Clinical Research Optimization
swartzk@ohsu.edu 
503-346-3540

Professional photo of Kim Cook

Kim Cook, MS
Assistant Research Navigator
cookki@ohsu.edu

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Heidi Funderburgh
Assistant Research Navigator
funderbh@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Meredith Zauflik

Meredith Zauflik, MPA
Recruitment Manager 
zauflik@ohsu.edu 

Community Research Hub

The OCTRI Community Research Hub connects and supports researchers, community members, and organizations in order to facilitate, grow, and strengthen community-engaged research. Visit the OCTRI Community Research Hub website.

Professional portrait of Dr. Melinda David, OCTRI Community Research Hub Co-Director.

Melinda Davis, PhD, MCR
Director, OCTRI Community and Collaboration 
davismel@ohsu.edu

Professional portrait of Laura Campbell, Manger of the OCTRI Community Research Hub.

Laura Campbell, MBA, MPH
Community Research Program Manager
camplaur@ohsu.edu

Evaluation Core

The OCTRI Evaluation Core works with OCTRI program leaders to strategize and implement evaluation of OCTRI programs for the purpose of continual improvement. Visit the OCTRI Evaluation Core web page.

Professional portrait of Matt Honore, OCTRI Evaluation Director.

Matt Honoré, MPA
Evaluation Director
honore@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Alexandra Dest

Alexandra Dest, MPH
Qualitative & Mixed Methods Program Manager
dest@ohsu.edu

Health Experiences Research Network (HERN)

The HERN team uses evidence-based methodology to improve understanding of patient experiences, illuminate patient preferences, and contribute to the design and conduct of patient-centered research.  Visit the OCTRI HERN web page.

Professional Portrait of Dr. Erika Cottrell, Director of the OCTRI chapter of the Health Experiences Research Network.

Erika Cottrell, PhD, MPP 
Director, Health Experiences Research Network
cottrele@ohsu.edu 

Professional portrait of Dr. Vivian Christenson, Co-Investigator for the OCTRI chapter of the Health Experiences Research Network.

Vivian Christensen, PhD
Co-Investigator
christev@ohsu.edu

Professional portrait of Lauren Tarlow, Research Associate for the OCTRI Chapter of the Health Experiences Research Network.

Lauren Tarlow, MS
Research Associate
saxtonl@ohsu.edu

Informatics

OCTRI Informatics accelerates translational research by providing tools to leverage clinical data, developing state-of-the-art clinical research data collection and management software, and resolving research bottlenecks.  Visit the OCTRI Informatics web page.

Innovation Programs and Pilot Awards (IPA)

The IPA team provides direct support for novel translational research and innovation through pilot project funding, career development awards, project support, and entrepreneur education. Visit the OCTRI Pilot Awards or the OCTRI Innovation and Entrepreneurship webpages.

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Aditi Martin, PhD 
Director, Innovation Programs and Pilot Awards 
Senior Director, OHSU Collaborations and Entrepreneurship
martiad@ohsu.edu

Professional portrait of Jonathan Jubera, OCTRI Bomedical Innovation Program Senior Project Manager.

Jonathan Jubera, MBA 
Senior Project Manager, Biomedical Innovation Program 
jubera@ohsu.edu 

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Melissa Mudd, MPH
Alliance Manager, Workforce Development & Innovation Programs and Awards
muddm@ohsu.edu

Integrating Special Populations (ISP)

The ISP team drives access and inclusion for special populations in research by leveraging existing institutional strengths, engaging partners, building collaborations, and employing innovative tools and trainings. For more information, visit the Recruitment web page or read more about NIH policy on inclusion across the lifespan .

Professional photo of Elizabeth Eckstrom

Elizabeth Eckstrom, MD, MPH 
Director, Integrating Special Populations 
eckstrom@ohsu.edu 

Regulatory Knowledge and Support (RKS)

The RKS team provides expertise and support to help researchers successfully and efficiently comply with local and federal regulations required for the initiation and conduct of clinical and translational research. For more information, visit the OCTRI Clinical Research Development and Consultation and the OCTRI Research Forum web pages. 

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Bridget Adams, MSHS, CCRA
Regulatory Knowledge and Support Manager 
adamsb@ohsu.edu 
503-494-5077

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Ashley Price
Senior Research Assistant
price@ohsu.edu

Translational Workforce Development

OCTRI offers a wealth of educational and training opportunities for faculty, fellows, students, study coordinators, mentors, and mentees. Learn more at OCTRI's Training & Education web page.

KL2 Program

Professional photo of Terri Hough

C. Terri Hough, MD, MSc
KL2 Program Director
houghc@ohsu.edu

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Melissa Mudd, MPH
Research Associate
muddm@ohsu.edu
503-494-1498

OSLER TL1 Program

Professional photo of Allison Fryer

Allison Fryer, PhD 
TL1 Program Director 
fryera@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Karen McCracken

Karen McCracken, BA, BSN
Education Program Coordinator 
mccracke@ohsu.edu
503-494-3095

Finance and Operations

The Finance and Operations Team strives to ensure that your OCTRI experience is smooth and successful, particularly in the areas of finance, human resources, facilities, technology resources and general operations.    

Operations

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Margaret Wade
Operations Manager
wadem@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Denise Duncan

Denise Duncan, MEd
Strategic Planning Project Manager
duncande@ohsu.edu

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Chris Sagar
Administrative Coordinator
sagar@ohsu.edu

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Danny Wilmer
Program Technician
wilmer@ohsu.edu

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Amy Ciolek
Executive Assistant to David Ellison, M.D.
ciolek@ohsu.edu

Finance

Professional photo of James Trotter

James Trotter
Financial Analyst 2
trotterj@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Jenny Trotter

Jenny Trotter
Financial Analyst 2
trotteje@ohsu.edu

Professional photo of Star Leigh Wall

Star Leigh Wall
Financial Analyst 1
walls@ohsu.edu