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
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Secretary
Arielle Isakharov Arielle is a first year Neuroscience graduate student at OHSU, interested in studying glia and neurodevelopment. 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Education Co-Chair
Dr. Sarah Kissiwaa Dr. Sarah Kissiwaa is postdoctoral researcher at the Vollum Institute in the Jackman lab. Sarah received her PhD from the University of Sydney in Australia. Sarah’s primary research interests are synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. She uses electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry to investigate how synaptic proteins affect synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain. Sarah joined AVDS to gain a better understanding of structural and institutionalized racism and how it impacts on minorities groups. |
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Education Co-Chair
Natahsa Warikoo |
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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. |
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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. |
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Events Chair
Alex Houser |
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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. |
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Communications Co-Chair
Tania Miramontes |
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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
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Letisha Wyatt
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Antoinette Foster
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Sarah Kissiwaa
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Committee Members
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Operations AJ Mitchell M. Kathrina Onate Luci Moore Alexandra Houser Mason Handford Erica Hankins Regalo Ernesto Manzo Dave Jacobs Anthony Galassi Eric Earl Jenn Goldsmith Shannon Babcock Gayle Stamos Paroma Chatterjee Sophia Weber Events Alex Houser Dennis Weingarten Molly Campbell Ozama Ismail Hannah Fulenwider Michelle Kielhold Kylene Lowrey Cole Brashaw Sydney gilbert Andrea Hardin Kiki Fornero |
Education Sarah Kissiwaa Natasha Warikoo Jennifer Cai Robert Hermosillo Danielle Mathieson Sierra Smith Ameila Culp Sylvie Bindas Leire Abalde-Atristian Mar Borrego Yessica Santana Novella Bates Kathleen Beeson Reilly Fankhauser Sarah Olson |
Communications Tania Miramontes Katy Lehmann Melissa Merrigan Eleanor Battison Amanda del Giacco Jennifer Jahncke Kim Engeln Joe Lebowitz Grace McCarthy Tania Miramontes Policy Kalene Dominguez-Savage Robin Champieux Nithya Ramalingam Sean Molloy Lilli Klug Alexis Young Elaine Huang Andre Walcott George Burwood Karin Osterberg Betts Peters Ali Rogers Amber Lin Madeleine Allen Brandon Wilder |
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)
