Trent Waugh joins CEDAR as a Research Associate with sixteen years of dedication to academic research centers across the country. After relocating to Oregon six years ago, Trent earned his M.S. in biology from Portland State University where he studied the impacts of saturated fatty acids on macrophage functionality. While working at the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, he made significant contributions in the generation of primary cell lines, organoids, and patient-derived xenografts from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissue.

At CEDAR, Trent will collaborate with Jared Fischer, focusing on the development of an innovative nanosensor assay for early PDAC detection.

When he’s not at the bench, Trent finds joy in culinary adventures, whether it's cooking or discovering new restaurants. He's also an avid runner, completing half marathons, and often explores the scenic trails of the Pacific Northwest with his dog, Stella. Trent is delighted to join CEDAR and believes his passion, past experience in cancer research and nanoparticle development will contribute towards advancing CEDAR’s mission.