Membership

Honoree

Chinmayee Kakirde

She/Her | PhD Student
Company: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Moved Here from: Tampa, Florida on March 2025
Why did you move here?

I’m originally from India and came to the US to pursue my PhD in Cancer Immunology. I was accepted for the PhD program at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, where I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Eric Lau, who became my mentor and an incredible source of inspiration. When Dr. Lau and our lab family moved to OHSU, I decided to continue this exciting journey with them in Portland. It’s been both a scientific and personal adventure and continuing my research while starting a new chapter in a beautiful, vibrant city.

What is one thing that you need/want from a community right now?

Since I’m new to Portland, I’m really looking forward to making new friends and connections, both within the scientific community and beyond. I’d love to meet people who share interests in science, culture, and good conversation, whether that’s through the Indian community, local events, or just exploring the city together. Having a sense of community and belonging means a lot to me as I settle into this new phase of my life.

What kind of civic connection are you interested in making?

I’m open to exploring different ways to engage with the community, whether through local volunteering, science outreach, or cultural and networking events etc.