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Two predoctoral students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at OHSU were recently awarded the 2024 Lacroute Fellowship.  

The Lacroute Fellows Program supports exceptional graduate students conducting innovative research in the Vollum Institute/OHSU Neuroscience Graduate Program. The one-year fellowships cover $24,000 of the students’ stipend and provide a $1,000 allowance for related academic expenses, such as attending scientific conferences or courses.   

Congratulations to the 2024 fellows:  

Adam Coombs

Adam Coombs, a fifth-year neuroscience Ph.D. candidate, is mentored in the labs of Kelly Monk, Ph.D., co-director and senior scientist in the Vollum Institute, and Ben Emery, Ph.D., the Warren Endowed Professor of Neuroscience Research. After earning his B.S. in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego in 2018, Coombs came to OHSU and entered into a co-mentorship with Monk and Emery.

“They have been extremely supportive and have given me the freedom to pursue my scientific interests,” Coombs said. “When I was applying to graduate programs, I was drawn to institutions that could support interdisciplinary and collaborative projects between multiple labs and departments.” 

Since his undergraduate studies, Coombs has had a fascination with mechanosensation — how cells convert mechanical stimuli, such as touch, vibration and pressure, into biological signals. After working as a full-time research assistant in San Diego and making the move up north to attend school at OHSU, he’s glad to see his work come to fruition. 

“Being recognized and selected as one of the 2024 Lacroute Fellows means a lot to me,” Coombs said. “It serves as acknowledgement of the hard work, perseverance and effort that has been put into my project over the last four years.” 

Michéla Mondesir

Michéla Mondesir, a fourth-year neuroscience Ph.D. candidate, is mentored in the Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Research Lab directed by Lina Reiss, Ph.D., professor of otolaryngology in the OHSU School of Medicine, and the Laboratory of Brain, Hearing, and Behavior directed by Stephen David, Ph.D., associate professor of otolaryngology.

Mondesir arrived at OHSU in 2021 after earning her B.S. from Virginia Union University and attending the OHSU Vollum/NGP Undergraduate Summer Research Program.

“My experience during this program gave me the confidence to say that OHSU would be my top choice for graduate school,” Mondesir said. “Reiss’ and David’s collaborative natures and diverse perspectives made joining both their labs an obvious choice.” 

Currently, Mondesir is studying binaural fusion in the brain, which occurs when different sounds are presented to both ears and perceived as a single sound. For hearing-impaired individuals, this phenomenon can contribute to difficulties hearing when background noise is present. 

“Being selected as a Lacroute Fellow is an honor and is very validating of my research,” Mondesir said. “I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to make the most of it! My hope for my research is that we are able to determine ways of decreasing binaural fusion and to contribute to the improvement of hearing devices for hearing-impaired individuals.” 

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