Meet Our Current Scholars
In our second PROPEL cohort, we've welcomed seven scholars with varied interests in engineering, translational medicine, and neuroscience. Learn more about our trainees below.
-
Esitfanos Berhe - More information coming soon
PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Katia Campos was born and raised in Trujillo, Peru, and graduated from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, with a B.S. in Engineering Science. She currently works as a Research Assistant in Dr. Angelina Vaseva’s lab at OHSU, where she studies targeted therapies for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. Katia joined OHSU PROPEL to continue growing as a researcher, receive mentorship, and become part of a supportive community of peers with shared interests in science and medicine. Through the program, she hopes to strengthen her research and professional development skills while preparing to pursue an MD/Ph.D. Her long-term goal is to combine engineering and medicine to develop innovative technologies and therapies that improve patient care. Outside of the lab, Katia enjoys trying new coffee shops, painting, and exploring creative projects.
PREP Appointed PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Betty Demissu graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in May 2025 with a B.A. in Neuroscience. As an undergraduate, Betty conducted research on the hormones that may underlie female Xenopus laevis responses to mating calls. This work sparked her interest in cellular biology, and after graduation, she joined the Enns Lab at OHSU, where she studies the fundamental protein trafficking mechanisms underlying iron regulatory pathways. Through her research, Betty has become increasingly interested in the neurobiological functions of proteins involved in iron regulation, particularly their contributions to the pathological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases. As a PROPEL scholar, she hopes to deepen her understanding of neuroscience research, strengthen her research and science communication skills, and prepare for Ph.D. programs in neuroscience. Throughout her career, Betty hopes to communicate the importance of scientific research and contribute to efforts that strengthen relationships between scientific institutions and historically underrepresented communities.
PREP Appointed PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Barrett Heyer grew up in Bend, Oregon, and graduated from Reed College in 2025 with a B.A. in Neuroscience. As an undergraduate, Barrett studied melanoma-associated retinopathy, an autoimmune condition, in the Morgans Lab at OHSU. For their senior thesis at Reed, they computationally explored whether neural activity was correlated with model-free learning mechanisms in the lateral intraparietal area of the brain in rhesus macaques. Barrett’s passion for neuroscience research led them to the Schnell Lab at OHSU, where they study how adult-born neurons contribute to neuronal circuit function and their role in neurological disease. Through OHSU PROPEL, they hope to develop the skills needed to succeed as a future MD/Ph.D. student. Outside of the lab, Barrett enjoys spending time in nature, making art, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family, including their two cats, Iris and Aurora.
PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Michelle Rivera Lomeli earned her B.Sc. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2023. As an undergraduate, she conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl investigating the role of estrogen receptor beta in astrocytes and its relationship to cognitive function in the context of multiple sclerosis and aging. After graduating, Michelle joined the Littman Lab at New York University as a research technician, where she investigated whether TRPV1 neurons contribute to the regulation of immune cell influx into the proximal colon following a T helper 17 (Th17)-type enteric infection. With a continued interest in multiple sclerosis and aging, Michelle joined the Emery Lab at OHSU in 2026 as a Research Assistant II, where she studies factors contributing to retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection following demyelination. Michelle joined PROPEL as a Research Assistant in the Emery Lab and hopes to refine her science communication skills, gain confidence presenting her research, and expand her knowledge of graduate school programs and requirements.
PREP Appointed PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Miranda Ulloa Estrada graduated from Reed College with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. During college, they conducted research at the Reed Research Reactor and in Dr. Gonzalo Campillo-Alvarado’s Crystal Chemistry and Dynamic Materials Lab. Under the supervision of Dr. Kara Cerveny, Miranda completed their senior thesis, titled “CRISPR/Cas9 Targeted Disruption of tshz1a Reveals New Role in Axial Patterning and Extension,” which earned a Helen Stafford Fellowship based on promising results. As a Research Assistant in Dr. Steven Mansoor’s Lab at OHSU, Miranda studies the P2X ligand-gated cation channel family, which is implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Using a structure-based drug design framework, they design and investigate novel antagonists through molecular docking, electrophysiology, and cryo-EM approaches. As a PROPEL scholar, Miranda is driven to pursue a translational research career that bridges the gap between bench and bedside to improve patient outcomes. Outside of the lab, Miranda enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with their violin in hand.
PROPEL Scholar 2026-2027 Theresa Vu graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Soon after graduating, she joined the Walker Lab in the Behavioral Neuroscience Department at OHSU as a Research Assistant, where she studies the effects of adolescent social isolation and its relationship to vulnerability to substance use disorder. Theresa joined OHSU PROPEL to gain mentorship and broaden her understanding of scientific research while further exploring her interests in neuropsychiatric disorders. Through the program, she hopes to develop the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career focused on discovering new therapies that serve disadvantaged communities. Outside of the lab, Theresa enjoys hiking, snowboarding, exploring museums, and discovering new restaurants