Paige Arneson-Wissink - Chair

Paige grew up and got her bachelor’s degree in Wisconsin before completing her PhD at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Rochester, MN. She is currently a postdoc working in the Grossberg Lab in the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care at OHSU. Paige is currently studying the impact of impaired liver metabolism on muscle homeostasis in pancreatic cancer cachexia and she aspires to be an independent investigator. Since moving to Oregon in 2021, she has really enjoyed getting to camp and hike in the pacific northwest with her husband and dog.   

Marissa Co - Secretary

Marissa grew up in Dallas, TX, where she received her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She is a postdoc jointly mentored by Brian O’Roak (Molecular and Medical Genetics) and Kevin Wright (Vollum Institute). Her current work seeks to uncover molecular and cellular underpinnings of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism and intellectual disability, through the study of transcription factor TBR1. Outside of the lab, she enjoys knitting, cooking, climbing, video games, karaoke, and trivia. 

Samantha Tauchmann - Social Co-Officer

Samantha grew up in Germany before she moved to the Netherlands for her undergraduate studies. For her PhD degree she moved to Basel, Switzerland to explore mechanisms behind erythroleukemia. Combining her passion for normal and malignant blood cell development she joined the lab of Julia Maxson at the Knight Cancer Research Institute in February 2023. Her current postdoctoral work is focused on understanding the consequences of SETBP1 mutations in myeloid malignancies. Outside of the lab, she enjoys crossfitting, hiking, camping, snowboarding and thrift shopping.  

Arianna Scalco, Social Co-Officer

Arianna grew up in Northeast Italy where she completed a master's in Medical Biotechnology and a PhD in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Padova. Driven by her passion for understanding the complex interplay between the nervous system and the heart and how these two systems communicate with each other, she joined the lab of Beth Habecker at OHSU in May 2023. Her current research is focused on investigating the cardiac autonomic remodeling occurring during heart failure following hypertension. Outside of the lab, Arianna enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, and wine tasting.

Paula Sanchez Molina, Career Development Co-Officer

Paula grew up in Sevilla, Spain, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine. She then moved to Barcelona to complete both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Neuroscience at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Throughout her academic journey, Paula has been particularly fascinated by the interplay between the brain and the immune system. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at OHSU, where her research focuses on the role of microglia and peripheral immune cells in Alzheimer’s disease. In her free time, Paula enjoys traveling and spending time with friends.

Michelle Palumbo, Career Development Co-Officer

Michelle received her BS in Davis, California, MS in Chicago, Illinois, and PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU. She is now a postdoc jointly mentored by Jacob Raber (Behavioral Neuroscience, OHSU) and Gaurav Sahay (College of Pharmacy, OSU). Her work focuses on developing genetic editing tools to alter the high risk genes of Alzheimer’s disease with lipid nanoparticles. When she is not working, Michelle enjoys backpacking, biking, and paddleboarding.

Kingsley Omage, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Kingsley Omage was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. After obtaining a BSc in Biochemistry (2003) from Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria (AAU), and a MSc in Biochemistry (2008) from the University of Benin, Nigeria (UNIBEN), he secured a lecturing job in Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria, where he started his teaching career. Afterwards, he obtained a PhD degree in Clinical Biochemistry (2014, AAU), and another master’s degree in public health (2018, UNIBEN). Since 2009, he has taught a wide range of biochemistry courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in different universities in Nigeria. In November 2018, he was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (AvH) grant by the German government. From August 2019 to January 2023, he did his first postdoctoral research training at the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Nephrology, University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Germany. There, he investigated the roles of urinary serine proteases (and complement factors) in the regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in nephrotic syndrome and the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of edema formation in kidney diseases. In June 2023 he joined Jim McCormick’s lab in the division of Nephrology & Hypertension, department of medicine, OHSU. His current research here is focussed on expanding our understanding of the regulation of the renal NaCl cotransporter (NCC), the target of the first-line antihypertensive thiazide diuretics. The goal of this research is to specifically evaluate the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on baseline function of the distal nephron. Apart from determining the mechanisms by which SGLT2i normalize serum [Mg²⁺], he is also investigating the mechanisms by which the DCT (a critical site for renal Mg²⁺ handling) adapts to SGLT2i in diabetic mice. In these studies, he will be performing exploratory, hypothesis-generating studies to address clinically important questions.

Kingsley has also done a lot off collaborative work with other researchers, with several publications to show for it. His long-term goal is to be a renowned researcher and teacher with the necessary skills and competence to do cutting-edge research using state-of–the-art facilities and contribute positively to the development of biomedical research and the training of the next generation scholars and researchers. Apart from research and teaching, Kingsley loves cooking, playing tennis (table and lawn), scrabble, meeting with and making friends, and listening to good music.

Dr. Jacqueline (Koko) Mutai, West Campus Representative

I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at OHSU’s Wilder lab, specializing in understanding the mechanism of action of intracellular-acting antibodies in reducing liver parasite burden. My background is in bioinformatics and immunology, with research interests in translational immunology which constitutes vaccine and therapeutics research and development. My broad research focus is to combine wet laboratory assays and genomics to be able to identify new vaccine targets, immune correlates of protection, and unraveling mechanisms underlying antibody-dependent protection. I have a PhD from the Open University in the UK and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Egerton University in Kenya. I am also passionate about public engagement and I have participated in the “I am a scientist, get me out of here” project in Kenya to engage high school students, where I won an award. I have also participated in a drama titled “Defeat the Helix” to engage high school students and get them excited about science in the UK. I am currently serving on the postdoc society as VGTI west campus representative.

Shashi Singh, West Campus Representative

Shashi Prakash Singh is a dedicated postdoctoral trainee in the esteemed lab of Professor Jacob Estes at the VGTI,OHSU West Campus. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology (Hons.) from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, a master’s in biotechnology from the School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and a Ph.D. from the Special Center for Molecular Medicine (SCCM), JNU, New Delhi, India. Shashi brings a wealth of knowledge and a relentless passion for scientific discovery.

During his Ph.D., Shashi delved into the intricate mechanisms of microRNAs in both active and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, he now turns his attention to the enigmatic world of HIV at VGTI. By studying HIV pathogenesis and viral reservoir establishment in non-human primates (NHPs), Shashi aims to unlock the secrets of this devastating disease.

Leveraging advanced technologies like GeoMx, CosMx, and Phenocycler, coupled with quantitative image analysis, he aims to unravel the underlying mechanisms of viral pathogenesis by studying various phenotypic markers. Simultaneously, he continues his exploration of tuberculosis in NHP models, striving to contribute to the development of innovative therapies and preventive strategies.

Outside the lab, Shashi enjoys hiking, cooking, reading history, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.