Northwest Microbiome Network
The human microbiome is implicated in a growing range of health and disease. The microbiome's role in health and its potential for targeted therapeutic intervention is a research priority for the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Five institutions in the Pacific Northwest have come together to leverage their diverse and innovative expertise and capabilities to advance microbiome research in Oregon, Washington, and beyond.
See below for more information on Northwest Microbiome Network partner institutions.
Goals and Plans
The goals for the first year of this initiative are to:
- Build a regional community of microbiome researchers who are familiar with each other's capabilities and expertise.
- Identify areas of synergistic collaboration.
To meet these goals, the Northwest Microbiome Network hosted a Microbiome Mixer on March 16, 2019. We collected data from attendees on regional needs in this space and how the Network can support those needs. The Steering Committee is currently evaluating that information and will share next steps soon.
Get connected
The Northwest Microbiome Mixer was held on March 16, 2019 and included presentations, posters, and networking with the goal of building a regional community of microbiome researchers who can identify and initiate collaborative pilot projects. Attendees included institutional leadership, faculty, clinicians, and trainees. Read more about the agenda and presenters.
Check back later for more information on mixer outcomes.
Microbiome researchers can also sign up to be added to the Northwest Microbiome Network distrbution list, which is a low volume newsletter with information on upcoming microbiome-related events and funding opportunities. Sign up here.
The Network also plans to roll out a microbiome registry of capabilities and expertise later in 2019 or early 2020.
Steering Committee and Partner Information
Steering Committee Members
Lisa Karstens, Ph.D., M.B.I.
Oregon Health & Science University
Assistant Professor, Departments of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology
Read Dr. Karsten's bio here.
Daniel Marks, M.D., Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
Senior Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine
Read Dr. Mark's bio here.
Cynthia Morris, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Chair, NW Microbiome Network Steering Committee
Oregon Health & Science Univeristy
Senior Associate Director, Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute (OCTRI)
Assistant Dean of Admissions, School of Medicine
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology
Melissa Wong, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University
Associate Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Cell, Developmental, & Cancer Biology
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology and the Oregon Stem Cell Center
Read about Dr. Wong's research here.
Microbiome Research at OHSU
Steering Committee Members
Thomas Sharpton, Ph.D.
Oregon State University
Assistant Professor, Departments of Microbiology and Statistics
Read Dr. Sharpton's bio here.
Staci Simonich, Ph.D.
Oregon State University
Associate Vice President for Research
Read Dr. Simonich's bio here.
Microbiome Research at OSU
Steering Committee Members
Stephen Callister, Ph.D.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Scientist, Biological Sciences Department
Read Dr. Callister's bio here.
Karin Rodland, Ph.D.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oregon Health & Science University
Director, Precision Medicine Innovation CoLaboratory
Read Dr. Rodland's bio here.
Microbiome Research at PNNL
Brooke Napier, Ph.D.
Portland State University
Assistant Professor, Biology
Read about Dr. Napier's research here.
Jason Podrabsky, Ph.D.
Portland State University
Associate Vice President for Research, Research & Graduate Studies
Read about Dr. Podrabsky's research here.
Microbiome Research at PSU
Brendan Bohannan, Ph.D.
University of Oregon
Professor, Environmental Studies and Biology
Read about Dr. Bohannan's research here.
Leslie Leve, Ph.D., M.S.
University of Oregon
Associate Vice President for Research, Office for Research and Innovation
Read Dr. Leve's bio here.
Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, Ph.D., M.Arch.
University of Oregon
Associate Professor, Department of Architecture
Director, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory
Co-Director, Biology and the Built Environment
Read more about Dr. Van Den Wymelenberg's research here.