Our Team
Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi
Principal Investigator
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University
B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering with Biomedical Specialization, University of Calgary
Marian Hettiaratchi joined the Knight Campus at the University of Oregon as an assistant professor in January 2020. She also holds an affiliate appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health & Science University. Marian’s doctoral research focused on developing heparin-based microparticles for growth factor delivery to repair large bone defects. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto under the direction of Dr. Molly Shoichet where she combined techniques in protein engineering and polymer chemistry to stabilize and control the delivery of proteins for central nervous system repair. In her spare time, Marian enjoys running and biking along the Willamette River and drinking Oregon wines.
Lab Manager/Research Assistant
MBA in Sustainable Business Practices, University of Oregon
B.S. in Biology, John Brown University
Hello! My name is Chandler Asnes, and I am the lab manager for Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi’s lab at the Knight Campus. Prior to joining UO, I studied Biology at John Brown University and spent several years as a senior lab specialist providing diagnostic services for a multinational corporation. During my time at the Knight Campus, I also pursued my master’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in sustainability. I’m excited to be able to apply this unique skillset to my research to drive translation of the work being done here at the Knight Campus. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, producing music, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Graduate Student (Bioengineering)
B.A. in Biochemistry, Occidental College
Hi! My name is Diana Flores Barnett and I am a PhD student in the Bioengineering Program at the University of Oregon Knight Campus. Prior to joining Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi’s lab, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Occidental College, where I studied an engineered dopaminergic cell line in a Parkinson’s Disease animal model. After graduating, I worked at Kite Pharma as a Cell Therapy Specialist, gaining experience in aseptic techniques and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) operations. I was later awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research at the Institute of Materials Science in Seville, Spain, where I developed a strontium-doped calcium cement for endodontic applications. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, exploring, doodling, and advocating for minorities in STEM!
Graduate Student (Biochemistry)
B.S. in Biochemistry, George Fox University
Hi! My name is Austin Clark and I am a biochemistry PhD student in Dr. Hettiaratchi’s lab where I am currently focused on designing and expressing affinity-based binders for various cytokines. Before beginning my PhD journey, I earned my Bachelors of Science from George Fox University. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with Dr. Micah Donor on using native mass spectrometry to investigate β-crystallin proteins that are responsible for the formation of cataracts after aggregation. Outside of the lab, I enjoy sports, cooking, playing video games, and listening to music!
Graduate Student (Bioengineering)
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
NSF GRFP (2024-27)
Promising Scholar Award (2022)
Hi Everyone! My name is David Frey and I’m a PhD student in Dr. Hettiaratchi’s Lab where I focus on the development of immunomodulatory strategies for spinal cord injury recovery. Prior to arriving here at the Knight Campus, I studied Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech where I trained in Dr. Roy’s Lab and the Marcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Characterization & Manufacturing. I’ve had the opportunity to help develop Organ-on-Chip platforms, look at immunomodulation in the context of bone fracture repair, and characterize cell therapy potency. When I’m not in the lab I like to go bouldering with my roommates, cross-up people on the soccer field, and critique craft breweries!
Alycia Galindo
Graduate Student (Bioengineering)
B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Bioengineering Concentration and Chemistry Minor, University of New Mexico
Hello! My name is Alycia Galindo. I am a PhD student in the Bioengineering program at the University of Oregon Knight Campus. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering while concentrating in Bioengineering and minoring in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico. My undergraduate research in the Brinker Lab included fabricating and characterizing mesoporous silica membranes for dehydrogenation for the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources. Outside of lab, I enjoy drawing, swimming, and exploring Oregon!
Andy Huang
Graduate Student (Bioengineering)
M.ASc. in Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University
B.Sc. in Biology, Dalhousie University
My name is Andy Huang, and I am a PhD student in Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi’s lab focused on utilizing statistical optimization tools to improve protein delivery for bone regeneration. Before joining the Knight Campus, I earned a master’s in biomedical engineering at Dalhousie University. My work with Dr. Brendan Leung was focused on the fabrication and characterization of a mucus-like hydrogel for modelling mammalian-microbial interaction at the mucosal membrane. After my master’s, I also had the opportunity to work in quality control at an Agtech start-up. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, rock climbing, running, and golf.
Yan Carlos Pacheco
Graduate Student (Bioengineering)
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida
NSF Graduate Research Fellow (2021-2024)
Promising Scholar Award (2021)
Hi! I’m Yan Carlos Pacheco and I was born in Havana, Cuba. I’m a Ph.D. student in the joint Bioengineering program between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, working in both Dr. Nick Willett’s and Dr. Marian Hettiaratchi’s laboratories at the Knight Campus. Before coming to Oregon, I did my Bachelors of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Florida in which I worked in Dr. Kyle Allen’s laboratory for four years. As an undergraduate, I got hands-on experience with designing histological experiments for knee osteoarthritis. I briefly worked on characterizing synovial fluid with magnetic particle translation; a novel technique developed in our lab. Lastly, I also worked on developing Matlab scripts to process and quantify synovial tissue changes at the joint level. In my spare time, I enjoy cuddling with my two cats, Norman Rockwell and Lisa Newcarr. Beyond my two children, I enjoy baking, cooking, hiking, puzzles, swimming, and film photography just to name a few.
Malvika Singhal
Graduate Student (Biochemistry)
B.S. in Bioengineering with Minor in Mathematics, University of California - Berkeley
NSF NRT Fellow (2024-2025)
My name is Malvika Singhal, and I am a third-year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry. In the Hettiaratchi Lab, I engineer fusion proteins that bind to extracellular matrices in bone to improve localized protein delivery for bone regeneration. Before arriving in Oregon, I had the privilege of contributing to a variety of inspiring research questions such as how taste preferences evolve in ancestrally microbe-feeding flies and how neutralizing antibodies can be detected using chemically conjugated protein-DNA complexes. Outside of the lab, I am passionate about cooking, lifting, writing, and contributing to efforts that make STEM an inclusive space.
Graduate Student (Biochemistry)
B.S. in Biochemistry, Western Washington University
NIH F31 Fellow | NHLBI (2024-2027)
NSF NRT Fellow (2023-2024)
Hello! I am Justin Svendsen, a PhD student in the Biochemistry degree program here at the University of Oregon. Prior to joining the Hettiaratchi lab, I received my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Western Washington University. My undergraduate research experience involved rational design and characterization of sortase enzymes, membrane-bound proteins on the surface of gram-positive bacteria that play an integral role in bacterial virulence, with modular substrate recognition for applications in human health and protein engineering. This work culminated in generating the first crystal structures of a sortase non-covalently bound to its recognition motif, providing insight into the mechanism by which gram-positive bacteria invade host cells and informing further characterization of sortases as protein engineering tools. Outside of the lab, I like to keep in touch with nature by pursuing my passions in sea kayaking, mountain biking, alpine hiking, and beekeeping.
Tingting Zhang
Graduate Student (Organic/Inorganic/Material Chemistry)
B.S. in Chemistry with Minor in Mathematics, Linfield University
Hello! My name is Tingting Zhang, and I am a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry while minoring in Mathematics from the Linfield University, where I conducted undergraduate research in the Baggett Lab, synthesizing and characterizing azaindole-based Arp2/3 inhibitors (vs. CK-666). This work deepened my passion for studying small molecule-protein interactions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy mountain hiking, snowboarding, and coastal exploration.
Research Assistant
M.S. in Cosmetic Science, University of Cincinnati
B.S. in Biochemistry, University of Oregon
Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Undergraduate Research Fellow (2023)
¡HOLA! I am a second-year master’s student with the Cosmetic Science Program at the University of Cincinnati. I have earned my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, with a focus on Bioengineering, from the University of Oregon (Go DUCKS!). My work as an undergrad consisted of applications of our GM-CSF affibody binders to reduce and also deliver GM-CSF way from cells. My work now focuses on the application of affibodies in a hydrogel microparticle system, for various applications. After I graduated, I intend on joining a cosmetic company as a cosmetic chemist bridging bioengineering with skin care. When I’m not running an ELISA, I’ll be skating, foraging, snowboarding, or doing yoga.
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Biochemistry)
B.S. in Biochemistry with Minors in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship
Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Fellow (2025)
Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Fellow (2024)
Expected Graduation: June 2026
Hi! My name is Alyssa Chi and I am from Agoura Hills, California. I am a fourth-year student here at the University of Oregon, majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to continue my education through medical school or pursuing a Ph.D. In my free time I love traveling, doing yoga, and spending time with my family and friends.
Caroline Foskett
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Human Physiology)
B.S. in Human Physiology with Minors in Bioengineering and Chemistry
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar (2025)
UO Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) Fellowship (2024)
Expected Graduation: June 2026
Hello! My name is Caroline Foskett and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Human Physiology and minoring in Bioengineering and Chemistry. My hometown is Eugene, Oregon and some of my favorite things to do here are snowboarding, coaching soccer at my old high school, and traveling. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in medicine and continue to do biomedical-related research for clinical applications.
Lab Alumni
---
Dr. Ruchi Sharma - Postdoctoral Scholar (2024-2025)
Jonathan Dorogin - Ph.D. in Bioengineering (2020-2025)
NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship (2022-2025)
Madeline Martin-Adams - M.S. in Bioengineering (2022-2024)
Jaisel Sappal (B.S. Biology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024-2025)
UO SPUR Scholar
Armaan Hajarizadeh (B.S. Computer Science) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2023-2025)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Alayna Huque (B.S. Human Physiology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2024-2025)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Madeleine Ford (B.S. Human Physiology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2022-2025)
UO SPUR Fellow, Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar, VPRI Undergraduate Research Fellow
Payton Jefferis (B.S. Biochemistry) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2023-2025)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar, VPRI Undergraduate Research Fellow
Morrhyssey Benz (B.S. Biochemistry) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2022-2024)
UO SPUR Fellow, Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Jenna Khachatourian (B.S. Human Physiology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2022-2024)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar
Esther Mozipo (B.S. Chemistry) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2023)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar, Senior Honors Thesis
Simon Oh (B.S. Biology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2021-2022)
Senior Honors Thesis
Henry Hochstatter (B.S. Biology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2020-2022)
UO UROP Mini-Grant (2022), UO SPUR Fellow, Senior Honors Thesis
Ireland Johnson (B.S. Biology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2020-2022)
Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar, Peter O'Day Fellowship Recipient, Senior Honors Thesis
Hons Rajabzadeh (B.S. Chemistry) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2020-2021)
UROP Mini-Grant Recipient
Branden Henry (B.S. Human Physiology) - Undergraduate Research Assistant (2020-2021)
Dr. Jakob Townsend - Postdoctoral Scholar (2020)