Austin Wright, PhD

Austin Wright is the current president of the PWU. Previously he helped canvas for the graduate student union at PSU, was one of the first ten people to sign GRU at OHSU, and was on the bargaining team for the GRU for their second contract. He has been involved with many activist movements for years but was drawn to union activism because of its effectiveness. 

Austin utilizes his microbiology and innate immunology background to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of neoplastic cell signaling and the tumor immune microenvironment. His primary research interests are the molecular signaling pathways that regulate immune cell interactions, apoptosis, and proliferation. 

At home, he enjoys making music, rock climbing, and playing softball with his daughter. He is not shy and all are welcome to reach out to him if they have questions, need help, or want to get involved with the union.