President

CiCi has her BSc in Biology from Montana State University and has a wide variety of professional experience in her 10 year career in STEM. She has worked in both industry and academic research as a Microbiologist, Enologist, and Chemist. She loves working in STEM for it's ability to always provide opportunities to feed her curiosity. CiCi joined WIS in February 2023, serving in multiple roles including chair of the Community Engagement and Professional Development & Event committees before taking on the role of President in 2025. In her free time, CiCi loves to engage in all things nerdy, read purely for joy, play in the snow whenever she can, and create chaos at her hobby farm in Mount Angel with her partner, Corgi puppy (Agnes can often be found at many WIS Happy Hours), and many barn cats. CiCi is from Minnesota so you can often find her eating tater tot hot dish and busting out her worst Minnesota accent.

Vice President

Chloé earned her B.A. in Biological Sciences at Cornell University and is currently a Ph.D. student in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience at OHSU. Her interdisciplinary research on cognitive flexibility is supported by a fellowship from the NIH, and she is the founder of a startup building affordable EEG-integrated VR headsets to help children build self-regulation skills through brain-powered games. She joined WIS in 2024 as a donor database manager before becoming Vice President in 2025. When away from the computer, she unwinds with digital illustration, hiking and backpacking, horror movies, video games, and playing violin.

Treasurer

Erin Finch, CPA, received her BS from University of California, San Diego studying Management Science. She is currently an Assurance Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Erin joined WIS in October 2024 as the Treasurer, and is passionate about uplifting women in the workplace. Outside of her dedication as a mom, she enjoys playing and watching soccer matches, reading, and gardening.

Secretary

Rosalyn earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Oregon State University in 2022. She has worked as a computational biologist at OHSU since 2023 where she collaborates on interdisciplinary projects focused on immunology, oncology and dermatology. Rosalyn joined WIS PDX as the community Slack coordinator in April 2024 and is driven to help foster a supportive and sustainable community for women and other gender minorities in STEM where everyone’s voices and experiences are seen and celebrated. In her free time, Rosalyn enjoys dancing with friends, craft frenzies, gardening, and bike summer.

Communications Chair

Miriam (she/her/hers) works remotely on content development and public relations for a marketing and communications agency (HDMZ) that serves life science and biotech organizations. She also brings an undergraduate background in molecular biology, and experience co-founding and managing a collegiate science literary magazine to her role as Communications Chair for WIS.

Fundraising Chair

Dr. Sarah Lusk is a cell biologist with a deep interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms of development and regeneration and how disruptions in these processes lead to human disease. Sarah pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon where she received her BS, and she went on to receive a PhD in human genetics at the University of Utah. Sarah is currently a postdoctoral researcher at OHSU and uses multiple model organisms to investigate neural regeneration at a single-cell level. She joined WIS in 2024 and strives to support this community through a commitment to service, mentorship, and promoting an inclusive and equitable environment in STEM. Outside of the lab, Sarah enjoys soaking up the good weather days in the PNW.

JEDI Chair

Saba Saleem is a political consultant, public affairs specialist, and community organizer, working at the intersection of process and product to create institutional change in local government. She has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors shaping policy, curating content, and promoting cross-cultural collaboration. As the Public Affairs Specialist and Community Liaison for the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office, she works to support Black, Hispanic, AANHPI, and women Oregonians through legislative advocacy, community partnership, research, and leadership development. Saba currently serves as a Board Member of Snowcap, a nonprofit working to provide food, clothing, advocacy, and other safety net services to our neighbors in need. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member and a DEI Committee member to WorldOregon, a nonprofit connecting people, places, and issues shaping our global future. When not busy trudging through immigrant guilt, Saba enjoys the beautiful Pacific Northwest chasing waterfalls and traversing mountain peaks, dancing salsa, and experimenting with new recipes.

Corporate Sponsorship Director

Melissa Mudd is an Alliance Manager for the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) at Oregon Health and Science University. In this role, Melissa is responsible for developing and implementing programs to advance the translation of innovative research to clinical impact, including convening and connecting regional partners. She also manages a program to engage and support OHSU’s early-career investigators in their transition to research independence. Melissa holds a Master of Public Health from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and is passionate about improving lives through science. Melissa has three young children that continue to motivate her to strive for equity in STEM.

Community Engagement Chair

Professional Development Chair