Meet the 2026 Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars

"Growing up with a Palestinian father and a Mexican/Colombian mother, I have been shaped by exposure to adversity, resilience, and justice. These values pushed me to pursue independence, perseverance, and a career in healthcare and research."

"The aim of my work is to engineer new therapies for osteoarthritis, a joint disease and a leading cause of disability. My research centers on testing specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators like Resolvin D1. This molecule, derived from omega-3 fatty acids, shifts the body's response from debilitating inflammation to regeneration. Ultimately, my goal is to help people live with greater ease, confidence, and dignity."

"While progressing through the neuroscience coursework at UO, I found myself wondering if we could interact with the brain more directly for applications such as improving behavioral therapies, developing prosthetics with voluntary control, or addressing hearing loss. Curiosities about neurotechnology led me to the Knight Campus, a cross-disciplinary environment with researchers focused on developing solutions for the world's most critical clinical challenges."

"The impact of neurodegenerative disease is unfortunately far and wide, and I want to have the privilege of both working to cure these conditions in research and also treat patients personally in medicine. My unrelenting desire to continue to understand the impact Parkinson's Disease on neurological function is directly aligned with the goals of the Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program."

"My prospective project aims to analyze how the activation of transcription factors that extend lifespan alters gene expression. I plan to use the spectral flow cytometer at the Knight Campus to sort nuclei from specific tissues tagged with fluorophores. After sorting, we will isolate RNA from these nuclei to assess differences in gene expression. This project works to enhance understanding of gene regulatory networks controlling longevity and stress resistance."

"My project focuses on the hub protein P53, a tumor suppressor whose wide interaction network is responsible for inducing apoptosis in mutated cells. Almost 50% of all cancers have been linked to mutations in the P53 protein-interaction pathway, which is why gaining a deeper understanding of this system is so vital. This work also holds a deep personal significance for me, as I lost my grandfather to cancer, and witnessed the impact it had on my grandmother."

"I realized very early on that medical advancement is not the result of a single breakthrough, but is built through rigorous research, the incremental contributions of diverse disciplines, and a passion for helping others. I aim to make one of these contributions, directing my work towards understanding and treating a condition like cancer; a condition which affects many people and currently lacks a definitive cure."

"Since last spring, I have begun working in the lab setting at Deku lab. I have learned much in these nine months, not only about electrochemistry or how to design an intracortical microelectrode array, but also the qualities that make a strong researcher."

"Protein design and synthetic biology open doors for applications that are simultaneously practical and imaginative. Engineered DNA could selectively bind to a biomarker of interest to create a more accurate diagnostic. Genetic circuits and drug delivery systems could be mediated by ultrasound. Designer probiotics could secrete enzymes that regulate immune pathways in ways traditional pharmaceuticals cannot. These possibilities motivate me to understand not only the rules that govern biology, but also the engineering frameworks that can turn those rules into tools."

"I joined the Lindberg Lab in July 2025, where I began work in quantifying cell nuclei and fluorescent phenotyping of CD38 and CD90 in stem cell laden hydrogels. Furthermore, I learned the cartilage pellet processing pipeline of paraffin embedding and slicing on a microtome while optimizing the immunohistochemistry staining protocol for cartilage pellets. This transitioned my interests to cartilage pellets, where I began quantifying estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) levels within patient cartilage samples."

"My interest in neural engineering stems from witnessing the limitations of traditional pain management strategies in modern medicine. My father suffers from chronic pain caused by a shattered femur repaired with a metal rod and multiple herniated discs. Although the structural repairs were successful, pain management failed; he was forced to choose between chronic pain and the risk of opioid dependence. Neuromodulation, a promising approach that uses targeted electrical stimulation to manage pain without drugs, is still in its early stages."

"After weeks of volunteer work in the Jasti lab, I've now successfully undergone a multi-step ground-up synthesis project to create a carbon ring nano structure that hasn't been made before. This molecule has fluorescent turn on/off abilities controlled by a cobalt-protecting group. With my mind set on a future in scientific biomedical research, this work has been a huge breakthrough to me about what impact my own research can have on my field of interest."

"I am currently developing dynamic hydrogel systems that mimic stiff-to-soft mechanical transitions in human tissues—like those occurring during fibrosis resolution. Through this work, I aim to improve our ability to model biological events with greater accuracy. My dedication to developing this system is driven by a fundamental motivation: improving patients' lives through better therapeutic approaches. My previous project with rat tail dissections for collagen purification showcased my happy place: between research and surgery."

"I am highly passionate about gaining experience in the field of Medical Sensors and Devices, because I am laser focused on pursuing a career commercializing innovative therapies related to detecting and preventing cancer."

"I was able to witness regeneration in real time—one where we could watch healing unfold and where we could influence it. The project I was assigned was the growth and applications of bone-like organoids. I learned the entire process from a test tube of cells, to printing these organoids using a giant bio-printer, to mineralized bone, and finally to the in-vivo application of them. This idea of successful regeneration and repair through autologous bone tissue engineering has captivated me through every step of the way."

"I have seen what leaders and innovators in synthetic biology are doing, such as eliminating pollution, supporting food supply, and creating therapeutics, and I want nothing more than to participate in that advancement. I have experienced strong teamwork with my colleagues, and I have been able to make connections with curious people around the world. It seems to me that synthetic biology will have strong implications for our future, and I want to participate in shaping the field with other dedicated researchers."

"In February 2025 I began working with biomaterials in the Dalton Lab and my eyes were opened to the broad span of possibilities that accompany working with advanced manufacturing. The range of applications our lab is researching is astounding; ranging from tackling issues with peripheral nerve regeneration to building in vitro glioblastoma and skin models – it still amazes me not only how many use-cases there are for biomaterials, but importantly how impactful those solutions can be in the medical world."

"I am committed to pursuing a career at the intersection of biomechanics, sports medicine, and healthcare, and this opportunity would accelerate that path by giving me the time, mentorship, and resources necessary to produce competitive research, engage deeply with the scientific community, and prepare for future graduate-level study. With this support, I will be able to contribute not only as a student researcher but as a developing scientist capable of driving meaningful advancements in human performance and rehabilitation."

"My research interest is in biomaterials. It's incredible to me that cells and organisms can unconsciously do what people have attempted to replicate for centuries. Like evolution, we are tinkerers building off others before us, but unlike evolution, our mechanical wonders haven't had millions of years worth of tinkering. There is so much more to understand, and I'm captivated by the possibilities, enamored with the idea we could unlock the engineering genius of biology just by better understanding it and learning to communicate with the unseen world surrounding us."

"I have become driven to understand how advances in biomaterials could transform clinical treatment strategies and this led me to the Rapp lab, whose pioneering work with hydrogels demonstrates the potential of these materials across diverse biomedical applications. Since joining in summer 2025, I have been able to gain invaluable experience, guidance, and insight on the possibilities that photodynamic hydrogel systems could have on localized drug delivery to induce targeted healing."