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.
Sai Sahu
My name is Sai Sahu and I am a junior at Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. I have a growing interest in the field of science & medicine and am honored to be a part of the Raber Lab. Being able to learn the science of genetics, immunotherapy, and environmental neuroscience and applying it to everyday biology is something that I find a lot of passion in. Besides participating in the Lab, I am a part of a student lead group called HearUsOut which educates the youth on the effects of noise-induced hearing loss. Additionally, I have represented my school at the national level in Speech & Debate as well as HOSA multiple times! This year, I am also a part of Oregon’s Model United Nations secretariat which allows me to meet and interact with so many members of my community. In my free time I love to sing and participate in music as much as I can!
Saanvi Vodapally
My name is Saanvi Vodapally, and I am currently a junior at Sunset High School, located in Portland, Oregon. I have a deep passion for technology and biochemistry, with a particular interest in neuroscience research and using technology to model biological patterns and structures. I am thrilled and incredibly grateful to be a part of the Raber Lab, where I can deepen my understanding of behavioral neuroscience and genetics while gaining hands-on research experience and applying it to real-world applications! Beyond the lab, I am actively involved in Sunset’s Speech and Debate Team, and healthcare policy advocacy, and have competed internationally in HOSA. I also run a science mentorship program that connects elementary school students with high school mentors to cultivate their passion for STEM. A boba enthusiast and avid baker, I also enjoy reading, graphic design, and playing the piano in my free time.
Yaamini Aga
My name is Yaamini Aga, and I am a junior at Wilsonville High School. I have a deep interest in exploring the field of science and have a goal of pursuing a career in the medical field. This led me to starting a chapter of the ‘Create for Kids’ club at my school to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and organize toy drives for children with cancer at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my sister and I channeled our love for baking into raising money for causes such as COVID-19 relief efforts locally as well as in India. At school, I am a co-lead of the FRC Robotics business team. Outside the classroom, I am a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and play the violin in my school’s chamber orchestra. I am fluent in Spanish and enjoy traveling internationally to learn about other cultures. Joining the Raber Lab will provide me with an exciting opportunity to learn about research in neuroscience. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.
Vaani Aga
My name is Vaani Aga and I am currently a junior at Wilsonville High School. I have always been drawn to science and to serving my community. Throughout high school, I have volunteered at Red Cross blood drives, raised funds for children with medical needs through high school clubs, and organized baking fundraisers for causes such as the Lahaina fire in Maui. Besides my interest in science, I serve as the business co-lead of my high school’s FRC Robotics team. I am also bilingual (English and Spanish), teach ESL to high school freshmen, hold a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and enjoy playing the viola and spending time with my dog Olive. These experiences have made me appreciate the impact that science can have on people’s lives. I am excited to join Dr. Raber’s lab and gain hands-on experience in scientific research.
Shlok Paricharak
Hello! My name is Shlok Paricharak. I am a recently graduated senior from Westview High School, who is planning to attend the University of Texas at Dallas for Biomedical Engineering. I enjoy reading, playing sports, and talking about the latest technology in the Biomedical Field. I was inspired to reach out to Dr. Raber in order to broaden my horizons on potential future occupations in the healthcare field. I have a passion for healthcare as I was an avid volunteer for the Dreamcatchers Hospice Organization & a graduate of the Beaverton Health Careers Program.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.