Jonathan Brody, Ph.D.
Professor
Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology
Department of Surgery 
Associate Director, Translational Research, Brenden-Colson Pancreatic Center for Patient Care
Knight Cancer Institute
Email Dr. Brody

Tabassum Auroni, PhD
Senior Research Association

Tabassum earned her Ph.D. in Virology from Georgia State University and is currently focused on evaluating therapeutic strategies to enhance the efficacy of KRAS inhibitors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and watching crime documentaries.

Luis Diaz, BS
Graduate Student

Jennifer Finan, BS
Graduate Student

Jen is a PhD candidate in PBMS from Vermont who studied Biochemistry at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York before working as a research technician at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She is now studying the role of PDAC-derived extracellular vesicles in the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, the role of HuR in the production and stromal response to PDAC-derived extracellular vesicles. In addition to her research, she embraces her roots in Vermont by cooking with maple syrup, hiking and skiing. 

Kyle Gribbin, BS
Graduate Student

Kyle is a PhD student in the PBMS program. He graduated with a BS in Biology from the University of Oregon researching the role of the RNA-binding protein PPR10. At OHSU, he has worked in the Roselli lab investigating the developmental role of endocrine signaling on sexual dimorphism in the brain, in the Courtneidge lab developing an inducible mouse model for DCIS breast cancer, and in the Byrne lab working on improved treatment options for patients with pancreatic cancer. He enjoys playing soccer and spending time with my family in his free time.

Yifei (Miffy) Guo, BA
Graduate Student

​​​​​​​Miffy is a PhD student in the Program in Biomedical Sciences. She completed her BA in Biology at Reed College, where she developed a keen interest in science. After her undergraduate studies, she worked as a Research Assistant in Naoki Oshimori's lab at OHSU. Her current research focuses on investigating the interactions between tumors and the immune system to improve therapeutic approaches. Outside of her studies, Miffy enjoys skiing, playing tennis, painting, and cooking.

Hen Halamish, PhD
Senior Research Associate

​​​​​​​Dr. Hen Halamish joined the lab as Senior Research Associate in 2023. She earned her PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Technion University in 2022. She also holds a B.S. in Materials Engineering and Chemistry and Master during PhD in Materials Engineering, which she obtained from Technion University in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Her current research focuses on investigating the interaction between Kras signaling and HuR, understanding Kras addiction and targeting in pancreatic cancer cells.

Swati Mishra, PhD
Assistant Staff Scientist

​​​​​​​Dr. Swati Mishra earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology through a multicampus program at the University of Massachusetts. She conducted postdoctoral research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Rutgers University, in collaboration with the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Her research focused on engineering antibody-functionalized lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for the co-delivery of nucleic acids, small-molecule therapeutics, and imaging agents. These nanoparticles were designed to target and treat heterotopic ossification in combat-injured veterans and to promote beta cell regeneration in patients with type 1 diabetes. Currently, as Director of the Islet Cell Transplantation Laboratory at OHSU's Brenden Colson Center for Pancreatic Care (TPIAT Program), Dr. Mishra focuses on enhancing pancreatic islet isolation to improve long-term post-islet cell transplant function, thereby long-term insulin independence in chronic pancreatitis patients undergoing total pancreatectomy. Her ongoing research, conducted in Dr. Jonathan Brody's lab, investigates the role of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1 in pancreatitis progression, related pancreatogenic (Type3C) diabetes and pancreatic malignancy, exploring how it may protect islet cells in inflammatory environments to support post-transplant success in the TPIAT patients.

Katherine Pelz, BS
MD/PhD Student

Katherine is a MD/PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering Program. She received her BA in biology from Pomona College. For her PhD, she is working to understand how cancer cells survive metastatic stress to try and identify therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer. Her overarching career goal is to be able to work with and treat patients, while pursuing research that provides insight into their diseases and ultimately can translate into better treatment for them. Katherine enjoys hiking, XC skiing, and being outdoors with her dog, Kona.