Interns
Ria Aggarwal
My name is Ria Aggarwal, and I am a senior at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, and will attend the University of Washington this fall. I have always been passionate about science and math, especially in Neuroscience, genetics, and biomedical research. I joined the Raber Lab to continue enhancing my knowledge and interest in neurodegenerative disorders and biomedical research, and I am very grateful for this exciting opportunity. Outside the lab, I am a competitive athlete in Taekwondo and train with the US National Coach, along with leading OHSU Science Ambassadors and Protection of Animal Welfare and Safety (PAWS). You can find me tackling a new book series or a new Lego project in my spare time.
Mitali Chaudhari
My name is Mitali Chaudhari and I am a sophomore at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, doing bharatanatyam classical dance, and playing the piano. I have always been passionate about science and wanted to pursue a career in that field for as long as I can remember. I have been involved in several activities, including lego robotics, HOSA, science olympiad, and science fairs, which have helped me diversify my knowledge in STEM. As a current high school student, I am looking forward to interning at Raber Labs to enhance my knowledge on biomedical research. This experience provides me with valuable insight on modern research applications to solve real-world problems. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
Elia Ramacciotti
I was born in a small town called Forestville, California, but I spent a lot of my childhood in Grants Pass, Oregon. I began attending Linfield University in fall of 2021 as a biology major, with minors in neuroscience and psychology. Through my time at Linfield, I have fallen in love with various aspects of science, including the genetics and environmental factors behind behavior and neurodivergent brains. Through working in an elder care facility, I became extremely interested in the older brain and how age effects thought process and memory. My academic advisor alerted me of a research opportunity at OHSU and I found the work done in the Raber lab fascinating. I fortunately was given the opportunity to participate in the research. Outside of the lab, my hobbies include swimming, playing board/card games, and SCUBA diving.
Eric Yoon
I was born in South Korea and immigrated to the US when I was 9 years old, moving from California to Oregon in 2010 and graduating from Oregon State University in 2020. I was privileged to study the psychosocial development of adolescents during my undergraduate years, which established my initial interest in behavioral science. Furthermore, I was motivated to deepen my understanding of behavioral neuroscience by studying medicine and aspire to become a physician who understands the pathomechanism of neurologic diseases in a clinical setting. Outside of school and research, I enjoy hiking, cooking, playing guitar, watching movies, and going to the gym during my free time.
Shriya Marla
My name is Shriya Marla and I am currently a junior at Jesuit High School in Portland Oregon I have a passion for science and plan to pursue a career in the medical field. I am excited to work in the Raber Lab and be able to continue learning about neurological diseases and the scientific research process. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and understand how to apply biomedical research in real-life situations. Outside of school, I lead my school’s Science Bowl and HOSA clubs and participate in the Science Fair as a way to immerse myself in the STEM field. Additionally, I learn Indian classical dance, western classical piano, and am a member of the award-winning speech and debate team at Sunset High School.
Marian Llamas
I was born and raised in Brazil and moved to Washington in 2018. Currently, I am a senior at Washington State University Vancouver, pursuing a dual bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience, with a strong interest in Behavioral Neuroscience research. My goal is to deepen my understanding of the intricate relationships between behavior and brain function. I am eager to learn new skills and enhance my research techniques. As a pre-med student planning to apply for a MD/PhD dual degree, I recognize the importance of this experience in shaping my future career. My hobbies outside of science include poetry, crocheting, hiking and cooking.
Mauhia Kimata
I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and came up to Oregon to get my B.S. in Biology from George Fox University. I recently graduated in April 2024 and have been working towards a career as a Physician. During my undergraduate years, I became fascinated with the field of Neuroscience but never got to dive into the research side of it until now. I am stoked to be a part of the Raber Lab and looking forward to what’s in store! In addition to all the academics, I love to surf, hike, play and write music, and cook for friends and family. My favorite food is undeniably a good pot of rice! I also currently volunteer as a worship leader at Redhills church in Newberg where I play cello, guitar and sing.
Kaiya Kozuma
I am from Hilo, Hawaii but also grew up in Oregon and Washington! I got my undergraduate degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from UCLA with a minor in Global Health. I have been active in cancer research for the last 4 years at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and at OHSU while earning my MS. I come to the Raber lab during my transition away from cancer biology and into psychology and behavioral neurobiology. I have a passion for science and research and have always loved helping others. In my spare time, I am a yoga instructor, I love to be active, read, cook, do the New York Times Crossword puzzle, and spend time with my dog, Koa.