Adrian Baris, PhD

Senior Research Associate

Adrian received her BA in biochemistry from Scripps College and her Ph.D. in cancer biology from Oregon Health and Science University, where she studied vascular-immune crosstalk in cancer. As a senior research associate, Adrian is investigating the role of liver regeneration and remodeling in multiple models of cachexia. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, hiking, and cuddling with her two cats.

Brittany Counts, PhD

Postdoctoral Associate

Brittany is a postdoctoral scholar studying the role of NF-kB and STAT3 signaling in skeletal muscle in PDAC cachexia. She received her BS from West Chester University and her MS from the University of Mississippi where she studied exercise physiology. Brittany received her PhD from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, where she examined the effects of physical activity and exercise on skeletal muscle plasticity during cancer cachexia progression. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and baking.  

Omnia Gaafer, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Scholar

Omnia is an international postdoctoral scholar from Egypt studying immunometabolic changes in PDAC cachexia. She received her PhD from Indiana State University. She received her BS in biotechnology and molecular biology from Cairo University, Egypt, and her MS in biotechnology from Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA, through a Fulbright Scholarship. Omnia is an assistant lecturer in the Biotechnology department at Cairo University and enjoys teaching and looking forward to transferring her experience to her students. Outside work, she enjoys hiking, reading, and watching movies.

Sephora Jean, BS

Graduate Student, PhD Candidate

Sephora is a native of the beautiful island of Haiti. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the illustrious Tuskegee University in Alabama. Sephora is a current doctoral student in Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and a current visiting scholar at Oregon Health and Science University in Dr. Teresa Zimmers’ lab.  Sephora's focus in the Zimmers’ lab is the investigation of the adipose tissue microenvironment and the role of STAT3 and NF-kB in driving fat wasting in pancreatic cancer cachexia both in vivo and in vitro. Beyond her work in the lab, Sephora enjoys spending quality moments with her family, watching soccer, cooking traditional Haitian cuisine, and exploring her creative side through drawing and painting.

Lorelei Millund, BS

Research Assistant II

Originally from Portland, Lorelei received her BS in Biology from Oregon State University. She joined the Zimmers lab after spending several years working in Plant Virology and Audiology, and is excited to transfer those skills into cachexia research. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, spending time outside, or trying out various different crafts. 

Sara Ota, BA

Senior Research Associate

Sara is a Portland native who recently joined the Zimmers Lab where she will use patient derived pancreatic cancer cell lines to study the role of OSMR in the tumor microenvironment. Sara received her BA from Whitman College, and she has spent the past several years studying developmental and cancer pathways in the context of activating mutations in FGFR3. Outside of the lab Sara enjoys playing and watching soccer, being active outdoors, baking, cooking and reading.

Domnica Reutov

Domnica is a Biology major with a Chemistry minor at Portland State University. She joined the lab through the URISE program in the summer of 2024. Outside of the lab, she enjoys tutoring chemistry, baking and trying out new recipes.