Judah Evangelista, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry 

Judah Evangelista is a postdoctoral scholar under joint supervision of Dr. Fikadu Tafesse (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology) and Dr. Carsten Schultz (Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry). He earned a dual BS/BA in Chemistry and Film, and a PhD in Biochemistry in 2022, at the University of Utah. His graduate research focused on protein and peptide chemistry, new methods for making synthetic proteins, and antiviral drug discovery. As a postdoctoral researcher, he is investigating the cellular mechanisms behind viral infections—particularly the interplay between viruses and cellular lipids—aiming to uncover new therapeutic targets.

“I applied to IRACDA for the opportunity to get practical teaching experience and mentorship while training as a postdoc . I ultimately want to teach science alongside research, and the training from IRACDA will help me go forward in this career with confidence. I also appreciate the community of like-minded scholars who are here for the same goal – learning how to build up and support the next generation of scientists.”

Keisha Rose Harrison, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Medical Informatics, Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine

Keisha Rose Harrison is a computational biologist dedicated to exploring the complex interactions between the human microbiome, health, and disease. She earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Biological Data Science from Oregon State University in 2023, where her research focused on microbiome analysis within fermentation food systems. As an IRACDA postdoctoral fellow at OHSU, she conducts research in the Karstens Lab, investigating the role of the urogenital microbiota in conditions such as overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). She is particularly committed to enhancing diversity and inclusivity in microbiome research by addressing racial and ethnic representation in publicly available datasets. Through the IRACDA program, Keisha is excited to develop her skills in mentorship and inclusive teaching, preparing the next generation of scientists in microbiology and computational biology.

Ankit Pandeya, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Ankit Pandeya is currently a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Isabella Rauch’s lab in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine. He earned his B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from Pokhara University, Nepal and Ph.D. degree in Biological Chemistry from University of Kentucky, KY, USA. His graduate research focused on understanding the role of inflammasomes and pyroptosis, an innate immune lytic cell death, during bacteria induced sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. As a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Rauch, he will be continuing his work on inflammasomes, but now focusing more in the context of mucosal barrier tissues such as gastrointestinal epithelium. He will be studying the role of inflammasomes in pathogen defense during enteric infection and other gastrointestinal diseases using stem cell derived organoids in vitro as well as genetic knock in/out mouse models in vivo. His long-term goal is to be an independent researcher and educator in an academic research institution working in the diverse and intricated aspects of innate immune system, host-pathogen interaction and inflammasomes.

"I applied to the IRACDA program because of its outstanding program design where we get the opportunity and resources to strengthen both research as well as non-research skills. IRACDA program focuses to develop not just a better scientist but also a better educator and mentor. Pursuing a career goal to become an academic research faculty, it’s important for me to develop these mentoring, teaching and other professional development skills together with scientific discovery." Ankit Pandeya, Ph.D.

Eliana Aerts, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Occupational Health Sciences

Eliana Aerts is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Matt Butler’s lab in the Department of Occupational Health Sciences. Eliana completed her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at The College of New Jersey. She completed her Ph.D. in Cellular and Integrative Physiology at West Virginia University in 2024, where she researched the neuroendocrine basis for the timing of female puberty onset. Ellie was very involved in increasing the diversity resources available in her graduate program through advocacy in conjunction with the graduate student organization. As a postdoctoral fellow, she will examine the neuroendocrine link between mistimed feeding and infertility. Ellie’s long-term goals are to examine the link between nutrition and female reproduction.

“I am very dedicated to improving the way we as scientists treat each other: both our peers and those we consider mentees. The IRACDA program has excellent resources for improving communication and providing a more well-rounded understanding of how everyone’s needs are different. I believe that wide-spread training in these skills will lead to a healthier and more welcoming environment in academic science.” Eliana Aerts, Ph.D.  

Hatun Duran Cete, M.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology

Hatun Duran Cete is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr Pepper Schedin’s laboratory in the Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine. She received her MD degree from Dicle University, School of Medicine in Diyarbakir, Turkey. She completed her pediatric surgery residency at the Pediatric Surgery Department of Dicle University, School of Medicine. As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr Schedin’s laboratory at the Knight Cancer Institute, Hatun’s research will focus on the metastatic microenvironment within the liver that facilitates breast cancer establishment in postpartum women. Hatun has been studying the immune infiltrate of weaning-induced liver involution in the postpartum liver in mouse models, with the goal of identifying an immune-based therapy targeted to the liver metastatic niche. Her long-term goals are to develop the skills and knowledge needed to set up a project of postpartum breast cancer studying a vulnerable ethnic population of women in southeast Turkey that have an increased birth rate compared to the US and developed western countries. She also aims to build her teaching skills to become more involved in scientific education and outreach, especially in her home country, with a goal of passing on her knowledge and research experience.

“After dedicating over 18 years to practicing as a pediatric surgeon in another country, I embarked on the challenging journey of establishing a new academic career from scratch in the United States. In navigating through language and cultural barriers, I have come to realize the immense value that the IRACDA program offers, particularly in enhancing the teaching skills essential for my future career aspirations.” Hatun Duran Cete, M.D.

Daniel A. Lopez, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Psychiatry

Daniel A. Lopez is a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Bonnie Nagel’s Developmental Brain Imaging Lab in the Department of Psychiatry. Daniel completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of California-Los Angeles. He holds a master’s degree in public health from the City University of New York and a Master of Arts from Stanford University. He completed his Ph.D. in Epidemiology in 2023 at the University of Rochester. Prior to joining the Epidemiology PhD program, he worked with the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos in the Bronx, New York. His graduate research focused on reward processing and behavioral health in adolescents. As a postdoc, Daniel will continue his work analyzing longitudinal trajectories of cognitive and behavioral health in adolescents.

“I applied to the IRACDA program because it offered a great opportunity to do both teaching and research. My goal from day 1 has been to incorporate both teaching and research in my academic career. The IRACDA program helps bridge that gap.” Daniel A. Lopez, Ph.D.