A Scientist in the Making

Keria Moritsugu-Vandehey is pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Science Management at Portland State University after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in June 2024. As an undergraduate student, Keria was part of the BUILD EXITO program where she gained hands-on experience in  Dr. Jason Prodabsky’s lab working with killifish on CRISPR gene editing techniques. In addition to her academic pursuits, Keria was the Vice President of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Student Association in her undergraduate time, and currently serves on the CIMR Student Advisory Council, is a member of the SACNAS Portland Chapter. 

This past summer, Keria started a new position as a lab technician in the Lopéz-Duarte Lab setting the stage for her master's research. As a lab technician, she does field work to collect animal specimens, sets up aquariums, engages in animal care, conducts experiments, and does literature reviews. In addition, she is also mentoring undergraduate students from the PROA program. Keria credits BUILD EXITO and CIMR for helping her learn to write grant proposals, present research, and build her network. 

Learning to network and present really stuck with me as I use it a lot as a researcher.

As a proud alumni of BUILD EXITO, Keria is deeply passionate about animal behavior and ecology, aiming to influence conservation efforts through her work. Her ultimate goal is to  join the Oregon National Primate Research Center's behavioral service unit, where she can explore the intricacies of animal-based behavioral and ecological research.

Outside of her studies, Keria volunteers monthly at Helping Hands Horse Rescue and Equine Therapy Inc., reflecting her commitment to animal welfare. In her downtime, she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, reading, and spending time with her pets.

As she looks forward to Fall 2024, Keria is excited to dive into her master's research and fully embrace the graduate student experience!