Oregon Health & Science University researchers secured significant honors and published high-impact findings this month across a range of disciplines, from fetal immunology to evolutionary biology. These developments highlight ongoing advancements at the institution, spanning clinical care, basic science, and community engagement.
Fetal Immune Development Mapping
New research featured this month in Nature Communications provides the first single-cell atlas of fetal immune cells across the lung, spleen and umbilical cord blood of nonhuman primates. Researchers, including corresponding author Oleg Varlamov, M.D., Ph.D., analyzed cells across the lung, spleen, and umbilical cord blood of nonhuman primates. This resource identifies distinct immune cell populations and tissue-specific developmental programs, offering a new framework to study immune system formation before birth and potential strategies for preventing childhood diseases.
Pancreatic Cancer and Cardiac Dysfunction
Aaron Grossberg, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of radiation medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, published research in The Journal of Physiology detailing the relationship between pancreatic cancer cachexia and cardiac dysfunction. The study, which earned an August 2026 Editor’s Choice selection, examines how this specific cancer-related wasting syndrome affects heart health. An invitation was also extended to Grossberg—who holds roles at the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center—to summarize the findings for the Physiology Shorts YouTube series.
Recognition for Community and Scientific Impact
Several faculty members received external honors for their work in clinical and scientific fields:
- Jennifer Huang, M.D., who serves as a pediatric cardiologist in OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, associate professor in the OHSU School of Medicine, and director of Ambulatory Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation, was honored with the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Impact Award. The honor recognizes her efforts to address health factors outside the clinical setting and her leadership within the Portland community.
- David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., was named a Citation Laureate 2026. He was recognized for the global impact of OCT and Huang’s enduring contributions to vision research and patient care.
- Erik Brodt, M.D., who directs OHSU’s Northwest Native American Center of Excellence and is a professor of family medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine, was selected by the Advancing Indigenous Science & Engineering Society (AISES) to receive the 2026 Partner Service Award in recognition of his support for Indigenous students in STEM.
Oral Microbiome and Psilocybin Research
New grant funding and public health studies are expanding the scope of OHSU’s research portfolio. Justin Merritt, Ph.D., a professor within the OHSU School of Dentistry’s Division of Biomaterials and Biomedical Sciences, secured an R01 grant totaling $2.66 million over a five-year period from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, which is a part of the National Institutes of Health. His project, “An experimental platform to investigate the role of polymicrobial synergy in oral inflammatory dysbiosis,” will investigate how harmful oral bacteria work together to cause disease, specifically examining how microbiome imbalances disrupt immune responses.
In a separate endeavor, a study was formulated by the PEACE team to investigate participants’ clinical profiles, their reasons for seeking consultation, and how ready they are for psychedelic experiences. The study of 29 patients found that most sought consultations for psychiatric concerns, with many reporting prior trauma and previous psychedelic use. The findings emphasize the role of clinicians in providing informed, nonjudgmental education regarding psychedelic safety.
Bat Evolution and Long-term Cancer Survivorship
The research suggests bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago, shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs. These findings provide a genetic framework for studying the disease resistance and longevity observed in many bat species, with potential implications for human health.
In clinical research, Duncan Ramsey, M.D., M.S., M.P.H., led a study in the journal Cancer on long-term outcomes for 739 survivors of Ewing sarcoma. The research, conducted through the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, found that survivors face significantly elevated risks of chronic health conditions, reinforcing the need for specialized, lifelong survivorship care.
Long-term Care Insurance Analysis
Hyunjee Kim, Ph.D., and Amy T. Edmonds, Ph.D., of the OHSU Center for Health System Effectiveness, received a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation. They are investigating Washington state’s WA Cares program, the nation’s first payroll-funded long-term care insurance initiative. Their study will use administrative data to determine if the $36,500 lifetime benefit effectively meets beneficiary needs and how the program coordinates with Medicaid.
Research and Award Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PEACE team support patients interested in psilocybin?
The team provides individualized consultations focused on education, risk assessment, and harm reduction. They do not facilitate or provide psychedelic treatment, instead prioritizing informed conversations about patient motivations and safety.
Many bat species possess unique traits, such as extreme longevity and resistance to certain diseases. The genomic resources developed by the Bat1K consortium allow researchers to study the genetic basis of these traits, which may eventually inform human medical research into aging and immunity.
What is the goal of the study on Washington’s WA Cares program?
The researchers aim to identify gaps in access and evaluate the sufficiency of the $36,500 lifetime benefit. Their findings are intended to provide evidence for policymakers in other states who are considering implementing similar long-term care insurance programs for older adults.
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