OSU Postdoctoral Association

Current OPA Board Members

(2026-2027)

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President

Ing. Milica Raco, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar, College of Agriculture (LeBoldus & Chang Labs)       

Milica is a virologist and a molecular plant pathologist primarily focusing on plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions in natural and forest ecosystems. She received her bachelor’s, and master’s degree in Plant Protection from Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, and her Ph.D. (2023) in Forest Pathology and Mycology from the same University. At OSU, her research focuses on characterization and  epidemiology of high impact pathogens using molecular and computational tools. Besides she is interested in structural virology and virus evolution, primarily of plant and fungal/oomycete viruses. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys hiking, biking, traveling, and reading.       

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Vice-president

Desiree Farrell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar, College of Forestry

Desiree is an environmental geographer and social scientist whose research centers on examinations of human-environmental interactions, synergies, and values of socio-ecological systems. She has an interdisciplinary background with a BS in Conservation Biology & Ecological Sustainability from Arizona State University, a MS in Coastal & Marine Environments and a PhD in Geography both from University of Galway (Ireland). Working in the collaborative space between policy, research, and science communication she held a previous Postdoctoral Fellowship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Newport, OR. At Oregon State University, Desiree is part of an interdisciplinary research team project working to understand and overcome barriers to mainstreaming nature-centrism in sustainable organizations

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Secretary 

David Cevallos, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon State University-Cascades, Human and Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainability Lab (HERS)

David leads research on seed transfer zones and water-saving technologies to improve ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary) and has extensive international experience in restoration ecology, applied field research, and data analysis. David has worked on native species restoration in Europe and the Galápagos Islands and has published widely on local adaptation, seed trait variability, and sustainable agriculture. His current research supports climate-adaptive restoration strategies across sagebrush steppe landscapes in the western United States.

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Professional Development Coordinator (Chair)

Shreya Pramanik, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar 

Shreya is a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University in the USA, working on lipid nanoparticles. She received her PhD from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany, where her research focused understanding origin of life on earth. Over the course of her scientific career, she has developed strong expertise fluorescence microscopy. Shreya is a passionate science communicator and actively volunteers at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where she engages with diverse audiences to share her expertise and promote meaningful scientific learning experiences.

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Professional Development Coordinator (Co-Chair)

Nivetha Ramanathan, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar 

Nivetha Ramanathan is a molecular entomologist driven by a deep curiosity to uncover the hidden biological codes that govern insect life. Her research explores the molecular and physiological mechanisms of insects, with a clear vision of translating these insights into next-generation, sustainable pest management strategies. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Madras, Chennai, India, where she graduated with gold medal honors for academic excellence. Currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Horticulture, Nivetha focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a powerful class of membrane proteins that orchestrate critical signaling pathways in insects. By probing these receptors, she is working at the frontier of identifying precision targets for innovative, environmentally responsible pest control technologies. Beyond the lab, she is an active advocate for the scientific community, with a strong commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting postdoctoral development, and building pathways for impactful research careers.

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Event Coordinator (Chair)

Elizah Stephens, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar

Elizah studied soil nutrient cycling after wildfire at University of California Riverside for her Ph.D. In her postdoc at OSU she continues to investigate the impacts of disturbance on nitrogen cycling in natural ecosystems and somehow always finds a way to fit in weird side projects about fungi and lichens. She loves crafting, foraging, RPGs, and reading B-side fantasy.

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Event Coordinator (Co-Chair)

Sonu Koirala B K, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar

I am a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University working in collaboration with USDA-ARS. I received my Ph.D. in Entomology from Pennsylvania State University in 2024. My current research focuses on identifying and functionally characterizing insect pest genes involved in regulating their physiology, with the goal of developing innovative pest management strategies. My broader research interests include understanding the evolutionary processes that shape pest and pollinator adaptation to chemical environments using integrative molecular approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, gene editing, and proteomics.

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Treasurer

Rajat Pruthi, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar

Rajat is a genomics researcher specializing in plant breeding, trait‑marker development, and transcriptomics. He earned his undergraduate degree from Punjab Agricultural University in India and completed his Ph.D. at Louisiana State University. As a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, he is developing genomic resources for red raspberry and identifying marker-trait associations to support breeding and genetic improvement. His research interests include climate resilient crop improvement, multi omics data integration, and the development of genomic tools to accelerate breeding in specialty crops. Outside research, Rajat loves working out, playing soccer, and enjoying a good game of pickleball.

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Web Administrator and Communications Coordinator

Edward Moncada, Ph. D., Postdoctoral Scholar - College of Agricultural Sciences

Edward is a food scientist specializing in dietary fibers, bioactive compounds, and their roles in promoting human and animal health. He earned his undergraduate degree from Zamorano University in Honduras and holds a PhD from Purdue University. As a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, his work focuses on food resilience and gut–brain health. His research explores how compounds derived from food waste streams can be extracted, repurposed, and reintegrated into the diet to support human health, with a particular emphasis on the gut–brain axis. Outside the lab, Edward enjoys hiking, playing tennis and soccer, and barbecuing whenever the weather allows.

Interested in joining the Board?

Please contact us @ postdoctoral.association@oregonstate.edu or you may contact any of the current Board members directly

Current open position, responsibilities, and availability:

Availability Date: Now