Seven FORWARD PSU Students Present Research at 10th Annual CIMR SURF Forum

Seven OHSU-PSU School of Public Health students from Portland State University’s Fostering Oregon’s Workforce in Advanced and Restorative Healthcare (FORWARD PSU) program are presenting their research this week at the 10th annual Summer Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), hosted by PSU’s Center for Internship, Mentoring and Research (CIMR).

FORWARD PSU is designed to prepare a cohort of 30 American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduates to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or public health, ultimately strengthening Native representation in the healthcare workforce.

At SURF, students showcase their work through oral presentations and a scientific poster session, highlighting the critical role of undergraduate research in shaping Oregon’s future healthcare workforce. As part of their experience, our FORWARD Scholars are encouraged to think about communication differently. Their final project captures the story of their summer—what they worked on, what they learned, and why it matters. Students choose from a range of creative formats that reflect their unique experiences, cultural values, and career aspirations. Rather than being limited to a standard scientific poster, this project opens the door to multiple modes of expression, including visual art, storytelling, digital media, or traditional oral and poster presentations if they choose.

“Our FORWARD PSU students have worked incredibly hard this summer, and SURF gives them a platform to share their voices, ideas, and research and healthcare experiences. Their projects represent not only academic achievement but also the future of Native leadership in healthcare,” says FORWARD program manager, Shandee Dixon (Apache), assistant professor of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and the Director of Didactic Learning for the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE).

The following public health undergraduate students are presenting their projects at SURF:

Ashley Mora-Garcia, mentored by Dr. Bory Kea (OHSU)
Alexander Sigaran-Chacon, mentored by Dr. Jaime Peterson (OHSU)
Bryanah Lopez, mentored by Dr. Deborah Karasek & Dr. Charlotte Roscoe (OHSU)
Jade Wolfe, mentored by Dr. Anita Minh (OHSU)
Charlene White, mentored by Dr. Richard Bruno (Multnomah County Health Department)
Fouaimalo Luamanu, mentored by Dr. Anita Minh (OHSU)
Manoj Rajesh, mentored by Dr. Anais Tuepker (OHSU)

FORWARD PSU builds on the strengths of CIMR — which has supported more than 700 diverse undergraduates in STEM and health sciences — and Oregon Health & Science University’s Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE), a national leader in training Native physicians and reducing barriers for Native students and faculty in healthcare.

Together, these partnerships exemplify PSU’s and OHSU’s shared commitment to mentorship, equity, and preparing the next generation of Native health leaders.