The Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science (AVDS) focuses on one central mission - to increase racial and ethnic equity within the research programs at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) by recruiting, retaining, and most importantly, supporting PEER (People Excluded based on Ethnicity and Race) graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty members.
We recognize and reflect the important notion that in order to increase diversity on our campus, we must make targeted, deliberate, and measurable efforts to create an environment that not only welcomes, but encourages a diverse population of people.
In modern science research, academic success and scientific breakthrough rests on our utilization of multifaceted approaches and perspectives. By cultivating visible diversity, we believe that the exposure to a variety of ideas and collective experiences will foster creativity and relationships - enriching our academic environment and strengthen our scientific community as a whole.
We recognize and reflect the important notion that in order to increase diversity on our campus, we must make targeted, deliberate, and measurable efforts to create an environment that not only welcomes, but encourages a diverse population of people.
In modern science research, academic success and scientific breakthrough rests on our utilization of multifaceted approaches and perspectives. By cultivating visible diversity, we believe that the exposure to a variety of ideas and collective experiences will foster creativity and relationships - enriching our academic environment and strengthen our scientific community as a whole.
The Alliance for Visible Diversity in Science is a collective of individuals with diverse views, joined by their commitment to increase participation of underrepresented minorities in the sciences. AVDS executes its mission in a collaborative and democratic manner. Therefore, no individual’s opinions are representative of AVDS as a whole.
Board Members
|
Secretary
Arielle Isakharov Arielle is a second year graduate student at OHSU, studying retinal development in the Wright Lab. She joined AVDS in 2019, when she was a Research Assistant in the Schnell Lab at OHSU studying microglial effects on adult neurogenesis. Arielle is learning about her own role in racial justice spaces and is grateful to AVDS for their inclusivity and leadership in changing our community's culture and policy. |
|
Historian
Dr. Letisha Wyatt Letisha R. Wyatt, PhD is the Director of Diversity in Research in the OHSU Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and is responsible for developing and implementing academic/professional programs for research trainees from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. She is a former bench neuropharmacologist with a strong record of mentorship in the laboratory and classroom. As a faculty member in the Department of Neurology and the Center for Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research (CEDAR), she works together with Scientists and Staff to plan for current and future information and data management needs. View her work on ORCID: 0000-0003-1026-5232. |
|
Treasurer and Receptionist
Dr. Oz Ismail Oz is a neuroscientist, currently carrying out postdoctoral research in the Mishra Lab at OHSU. He is interested in studying the relationships between stroke and dementia. Oz is an advocate for improving diversity and addressing racial inequality, and co-founded the Minorities in STEM network in the UK to support ethnic minorities in science. He is also passionate about raising LGBTQ+ voices both within science and within ethnic minority groups. Oz is also an avid science communicator and podcaster. |
|
Education Co-Chair
Dr. Sarah Kissiwaa Dr. Sarah Kissiwaa is postdoctoral fellow at the Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) center within the Vollum Institute of OHSU. Dr. Kissiwaa received her PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia. Her graduate and postgraduate work investigated how synaptic proteins affect synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain. Dr. Kissiwaa currently assists and supports the director of Innovative policy and director of community transformation at the REI in their mission to advance racial equity. Sarah joined AVDS to gain a better understanding of structural and institutionalized racism and how it impacts minorities groups. |
|
Education Co-Chair
Natahsa Warikoo Natasha is an MD/PhD student with a background in philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and creative writing. Upon realizing electrophysiology is simply another way to study language-- the language of neurons-- she fell in love and followed her heart to OHSU. She is currently studying the role of endogenous opioids in modulating hippocampal circuitry. In tandem, Natasha has worked to empower marginalized communities by working as a crisis counselor during her undergraduate years. This work extended into her present, fueling her desire to be a healer in her community, facilitating connection, learning and equity. When not poking neurons, Natasha can be found in the forest or on a mountain, flanked by her two sweet dogs, Gulab and Jamun. |
|
Policy Co-Chair
Kalene Dominguez-Savage Kalene is a Project Coordinator in the Developmental Brain Imaging Lab as well as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador at OHSU. Outside of OHSU, she works as an English as a Second Language teacher for students of all ages. Currently she has her B.S. in Psychology and is interested in getting her Master’s in Education Administration with a focus in Bilingualism and Bi-literacy. Her passions are working and providing resources for underrepresented youth as well as program implementation. |
|
Policy Co-Chair
Robin Champieux Robin is the Director of Education, Research and Clinical Outreach and Assistant Professor in the OHSU Library. She is also the co-founder of the Metrics Toolkit and Awesome Foundation Libraries Chapter. Her work and research are focused on enabling the inclusive creation, reproducibility, accessibility, and impact of digital scientific materials. |
|
Events Chair
Alexandra Houser Alex is a graduate student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program studying the structure and function of neuronal epithelial cells in Dr. Isabelle Baconguis’ lab. She received her B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at the University of California Santa Cruz. While there she worked in Dr. Bill Saxton’s lab studying dense core vesicle transportation in motor neurons via the motor protein Kinesin. Alex joined AVDS in 2019 and was involved in the Operations Committee before joining Events in 2021. |
|
Operations Co-Chair
AJ Mitchell AJ is a graduate student co-mentored by Dr. Elinor Sullivan and Dr. Damien Fair. His primary lab is based at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) where he uses a non-human primate model (macaca fuscata) to better understand how consumption of a high fat diet during pregnancy alters fetal neurodevelopment, and how these alterations relate to postnatal social outcomes in offspring. He is motivated to pursue racial equity and inclusion work by the childhood experiences he had growing up in rural Georgia. AJ enjoys canoeing, kayaking, and learning about data science in his free time. |
|
Communications Co-Chair
Tania Miramontes Tania Miramontes is a graduate student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program conducting her research with Dr. Kelly Monk. Her research is focused on understanding the mechanisms behind oligodendrocyte and myelin development using the zebrafish animal model. Tania joined AVDS to help facilitate a community for PEER researchers and create a more equitable environment at OHSU. She is currently in the communications committee committed to highlighting the work and events hosted by AVDS as well as highlighting the success of PEER researchers at OHSU. However, when she isn’t in lab or school you can find her at the gym, out looking for some good tacos with her friends, or doing her latest arts and craft obsession. |
|
Communications Co-Chair
Katy Lehmann Katy is a third year graduate student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program and is doing her thesis research in Dr. Marc Freeman's lab. She is conducting research to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive neuronal remodeling during development. Katy works with her committee to develop creative ways to communicate and disseminate all the wonderful work AVDS does. When she’s not in lab or working on AVDS activities, Katy likes to play soccer, hike, ski and spend time outside with her dog. |
Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Liaisons
|
|
Letisha Wyatt
|
Antoinette Foster
|
Sarah Kissiwaa
|
|
Letisha R. Wyatt, PhD (Director of Diversity in Research in the OHSU Office of the Senior Vice President for Research) is also the AVDS Historian. To learn more about Dr. Wyatt, see above.
Antoinette Foster, PhD is the Director of Community Transformation in the newly formed Racial Equity and Inclusion Center where she aims to directly impact internalized and interpersonal racism by empowering community members to become active agents of change. This position focuses heavily on creating culture shifts by using a racial equity lens to assess the current institutional culture, determine cultural values and processes incongruent with racial equity, and develop strategic pathways to align cultural norms and practices with a racially inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Sara Kissiwaa, PhD is also the AVDS Education Committee co-chair. To learn more about Dr. Kissiwaa, see above.
Antoinette Foster, PhD is the Director of Community Transformation in the newly formed Racial Equity and Inclusion Center where she aims to directly impact internalized and interpersonal racism by empowering community members to become active agents of change. This position focuses heavily on creating culture shifts by using a racial equity lens to assess the current institutional culture, determine cultural values and processes incongruent with racial equity, and develop strategic pathways to align cultural norms and practices with a racially inclusive environment for students, staff, and faculty.
Sara Kissiwaa, PhD is also the AVDS Education Committee co-chair. To learn more about Dr. Kissiwaa, see above.
Interested in being a part of our steering committee, a department or program liaison, or get involved in some capacity? We are always looking for more people interested in moving forward with our mission! Click here to learn about how AVDS is organized, and how to get involved. (Please send all other inquires to a4vdis@ohsu.edu)
