About Us

The Medical Research Foundation supports promising biomedical exploration and the development of research careers in clinical investigation in Oregon through a program of competitively awarded research grants. The foundation also presents awards to outstanding Oregon scientists and mentors.  

Find information on MRF grants

Find information on MRF awards

MRF Research and Education Committee 2025-2026

Committee Chair
Nancy L. Haigwood, Ph.D. 
Professor, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Oregon Health & Science University

Maude David, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology
Oregon State University

Robert Duvoisin, Ph.D. 
Professor of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry
Oregon Health & Science University

Jon D. Hennebold, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Research, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Professor, Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences
Oregon Health & Science University

Emily Ho, Ph.D.
Director of the Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University

Peter Mayinger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
Oregon Health & Science University

Hector Olvera Alvarez, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Professor, School of Nursing
Senior Associate Dean for Research, School of Nursing
Oregon Health & Science University

Tamara J. Phillips, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Behavioral Neuroscience
Oregon Health & Science University 

Jason Podrabsky, Ph.D. 
Professor of Biology
Portland State University

Kryn Stankunas, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
University of Oregon

Scientific Review Committee 2025-2026

The Scientific Review Committee is a peer review group for research grant funding opportunities internal to OHSU and for outside organizations in Oregon such as the Medical Research Foundation. It reports to OHSU Research and Innovation.

Committee Chair
Robert M. Duvoisin, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry

Andrew C. Adey, Ph.D.
Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics

Steffani Bailey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine

Victor R. DeFilippis, Ph.D. 
Associate Professor, VGTI-Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute

Nathan Dieckmann, Ph.D. 
Professor, School of Nursing 

Michael P. Hutchens, M.D., M.A. 
Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine

Alireza (Ali) Karimi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Rajan Kulkarni, Ph.D., M.D.
Associate Professor of Dermatology

Lina A. J. Reiss, Ph.D.
Professor of Otolaryngology

Bethany M. Sloane, PT, DPT, Ph.D., PCS
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Olena Taratula, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, OSU-OHSU College of Pharmacy

Oleg Varlamov, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Oregon National Primate Research Center