About

The Pacific Northwest Medical Student Research Journal (PNWMSRJ) Mission Statement:

1. First, to provide an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of the research publication process and enhance their critical analysis skills.

2. Second, to provide students the opportunity to showcase their work by publishing their findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

3. Finally, we aim to provide a platform for osteopathic medical students to continue to forge ahead and make an immediate impact in the research community.

Current Editorial Board

Yanwei ("Zoe") Zhang is a third-year medical student at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest of the Western University of Health Sciences. As a first-generation immigrant from China, she believes every patient comes from a unique background, be it geographical, cultural, or societal, and her goal is to provide personalized medical care to her fellow community members. In her future practice, she aspires to empower her patients to be their own health advocate by taking a more proactive role in a patient's life. As a former certified Mandarin-English medical interpreter, she enjoyed being part of a diverse medical team to help patients of minority background.

She holds a Master's in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology where she led independent research as a graduate research assistant while completing her degree. She published research in multiple peer-reviewed international conferences. She looks forward to applying clinical research in a practical setting to improve the best practices of patient care. 

Zoe takes pleasure in spending time with her husband and her three-year-old exploring outdoors and sharing food of diverse ethnic origins. Some of her favorite food "groups" are Ethiopian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and, of course, eastern Asian cuisine. At home, she hones her skills in cooking traditional Chinese food like dumplings and steam buns!

Yanwei ("Zoe") Zhang
Co-Editor in Chief

Danielle is a medical student at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in the Biomedical and Clinical Research Longitudinal Track. She is currently Co-President of the COMP-NW chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association. Prior to beginning medical school, Danielle spent several years working in oncology clinical research, where she developed an appreciation for the impact of research on patient care. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Mathematics at Bryn Mawr College. Danielle enjoys baking, solving puzzles, and spending her free time with her wife.

Danielle Weismann
Lead Assistant Editor

David Panfilov is a medical student attending Western University of Health Science COMP-NW in Lebanon Oregon. While obtaining his bachelor’s in chemistry at Pacific University, David’s passion for research was evident through his involvement in multiple research projects. He worked on synthesizing curcumin derivatives to use as potential biomarkers. He wrote his thesis on synthesizing gold and silver nanoparticles to use as sensors. David then completed an internship at OHSU to study the redox potentials of pollutant materials. While doing research there, David volunteered at OHSU-Tuality hospital in the emergency department.

Currently, David is active in researching pathogens using mRNA analogues and serves as a section editor for the Pacific Northwest Medical Student Research Journal club. He has also contributed to COMP-Northwest’s Lebanon Health Career Ladder program to motivate High School students to pursue careers in science. In his free time, David enjoys going on hikes and reading classic literature.

David Panfilov
Section Editor

Daniel Resnick is an OMS III attending Western University COMP-NW in Lebanon, OR. Over the last two years he has served as Class Representative, SGA President, Vice Chair of the ACOFP Student Resolutions Committee, and member of the COSGP Legislative Affairs Committee. Today he’s proud to serve as COSGP Parliamentarian and work to empower the voice of osteopathic medical students. He also serves as a Peer Review Intern for the ACOFP’s Osteopathic Family Physician journal and an editor for the Pacific Northwest Medical Student Research Journal. When not advocating for improved healthcare policy, you’ll probably find him travelling all around the state of Oregon looking for new waterfalls and tasty food to enjoy. His dream is to become a psychiatrist (dual Psych/FM if they’ll have him) so he can build a community clinic integrating mental and physical health services into primary care.

Daniel Resnick
Section Editor

Clarice grew up in Portland, OR and is a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences. She has been involved in student government and leadership roles in Research Club. She is an avid supporter of student research in medicine. Prior to beginning medical school, Clarice spent several years researching insect genetics and phylogenetic trees. She is currently working on a research project regarding patient perspectives on the pain scales presented to them. In her spare time, Clarice enjoys working on various craft projects and whipping up new recipes in the kitchen.

Clarice Martinez deCastro
Section Editor

Randy Chow is a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. Originally from Fremont, CA, Randy attended UCLA, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physiological Sciences. His current research interests include pediatric endocrinology, neurology, internal medicine, and medical genetics. Randy enjoys spending time with family and friends, skiing, and playing the drums in his free time.

Randy Chow
Section Editor

Prathosh Velpuri is a current medical student in his second year at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, CA. Prathosh has graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in Health Management and Policy. Prathosh enjoys volunteering in his local community providing access to care partnering with his faculty and cohort and his research interests include cardiology, behavioral sciences, social media, and genetics. Prathosh’s hobbies include playing tennis, cooking, spending time at the beach.

Prathosh Velpuri
Section Editor

Past Editorial Board

Whitley Nelson was born and raised in Lebanon, Oregon. She graduated from Oregon State University and is now a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest (COMP-NW). While at COMP-NW she has worked with Michelle Steinauauer, PhD studying schistosome parasites. Growing up in a rural area she has a passion for working with underserved populations and patient advocacy. She plans to use her experiences to engage in research with healthcare policy and advocacy that supports patient care. When she is not studying, Whitley enjoys being outdoors and hiking with her husband and their two dogs and tending to her garden.
Whitley Nelson
Co-Editor in Chief
Emily Cloward was born and raised in Northern Utah where she gained a love for the outdoors, learning, and helping others. Emily attended Utah State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with a research designation, honors, and was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior. After that, she attended the University of Utah where she completed a second Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and was honored as a graduation speaker. Now Emily and her husband Cade are both pursuing medical degrees at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific North-West. During her first term of medical school, Emily gave birth to a baby girl. Being a mom in medical school has expanded her ability to care for others while helping her to be more adaptable. Prior to medical school as an RN, Emily worked in intensive care and emergency medicine settings, which sparked her interest in the role of nutrition and lifestyle in health. During medical school, she has maintained these interests, by teaching cooking classes in the community via the CHEF program and by being involved in the Lifestyle Medicine track. When not studying she enjoys hiking and exploring with her family, playing soccer, and mountain biking.
Emily Cloward
Co-Editor in chief
Steven is from Orem, UT and graduated from BYU with a BS in Psychology. He is an avid traveler, and former competitive gymnast and acrobatic dunker. These experiences have driven his research interests in injury epidemiology, infectious disease in Kenya, and the impact of trauma and marital stress on health. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, photography, all things food, and new adventures.
Steven Gay
Managing Editor
Elise grew up in Reno, Nevada, where she also attended the University of Nevada-Reno. She earned dual B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology. Elise first became involved in research during her undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine with Dr. Dayue Duan, where she investigated the effects of CFTR mutations on the development of cardiomyopathy and hepatocellular carcinoma. At COMP-NW, Elise is part of the Biomedical and Clinical Research Track and was Vice President of the COMP-NW Research Club for the 2019-2020 academic year. She is involved in clinical research with Dr. Elizabeth Guenther, where she is investigating opinions and willingness of primary care providers to perform harm reduction interventions on their patients. Elise’s current specialty of interest is in Emergency Medicine. In her free time, Elise enjoys hiking, backpacking, climbing, playing with her dog, and playing piano.
Elise Tran
Section Editor
Sara Henderson, originally from Kentucky, moved to Oregon in 2007 where she now lives with her husband, daughter, dog and two cats in Portland. She graduated from Portland State University where she earned a BS in Environmental Science as an Undergraduate Honors Student. She is now working on her medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, class of 2023. Her interests in research include global health, social medicine, social determinants of health and mental wellness.
Sara Henderson
Section Editor
Arman Jahangiri (He/Him) is a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences COMP-Northwest. Originally from San Diego, California, Arman attended University of California, Davis where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Disease Biology. After attaining his medical degree, he hopes to either specialize in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), with an emphasis in Sports Medicine, or Dermatology. His clinical and non-clinical research interests include those under the categories of PM&R, Dermatology, Exercise Science/Physiology, Pain, Diversity within Medicine, and LGBTQ+ Health. Whenever he catches a break from studying, you can find him tending his jungle of houseplants, cranking out muscle-ups at CrossFit, exploring the outdoors, hunting down vintage treasures in second-hand shops, reading Sci-Fi novels, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.
Arman Jahangiri
Section Editor
Ciara is a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences, COMP-NW and an Ensign in the US Navy Medical Corps. Before coming to the Pacific Northwest, she graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno where she majored in Neuroscience and competed in Division 1 cross country and track. Her research interests include pre-hospital medicine and sports medicine. Ciara enjoys staying active by running, cycling, and skiing.
Ciara O’Driscoll
Section Editor

Founding Board members

Jacob Nelson
Editor in Chief
Heather Kopecky
Section Editor
Bobby Cannon
Managing Editor
Eric Rice
Section Editor
Brady Winfield
Section Editor
Cade Cloward
Section Editor
Shannan Roddy
Section Editor
Alec Ziemann
Section Editor
Cameron Hadley
Section Editor
Anthony Sainz
Section Editor

Advisory Board

  • Faculty Chair: Dr. Glen Kisby, PhD, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
  • Dr. Edie Sperling, DPT, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
  • Dr. Elisabeth Guenther, MD, MPH, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
  • Dr. Janice Blumer, DO, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest