The talented scientists at The Webel Research Lab have explored myriad topics that assist adults with HIV in living and aging well.
Current Team Members
Vitor Hugo Fernando Oliveira, PhD
Scholar
Dr. Vitor Oliveira is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing. He is an exercise scientist interested in studying the relationship between HIV and physical function, and the effects of exercise interventions on the health outcomes of people living with HIV. Dr. Oliveira completed his education in Brazil, which included a master’s degree (obtained in 2015) and a PhD (obtained in 2019) in kinesiology at the State University of Londrina. He is currently involved in the PROSPER-HIV and the HEALTH studies. Despite his early-stage investigator status, he has contributed with papers in well-ranked HIV, nutrition, and exercise journals. Dr. Oliveira’s career goals are to lead multidisciplinary research projects examining how to improve the physical function and quality of life of people living with HIV and continue exploring changes that occur in physical function over the lifespan in this population. Interests outside the academic life include volleyball, outdoors, and travelling.
Hoai Do, MPH
Research Coordinator
Hoai Do has dual positions at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. She shares her time between the Webel Research Lab (Research Coordinator) working with people living with HIV and the International Medicine Clinic (Patient Care Coordinator) serving the non-English speaking patients. Hoai earned her master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Washington. She contributed to multiple cancer prevention projects at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center involving immigrant and refugee communities.
Maia Cunningham
Graduate Research Assistant
Maia is currently pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Washington and joined the Webel Lab as a Graduate Research Assistant in September of 2023. She brings with her a background in pediatric clinical research–specifically in chronic pain, sleep, mental health, and online behavioral health interventions. Maia’s passion lies in broadening healthcare access for marginalized communities both locally and globally and she is looking forward to making valuable contributions to the HEALTH and PROSPER Studies. Outside of work, Maia loves experimenting with new recipes, reading, Pilates, and exploring her hometown of Seattle.
André Pereira dos Santos, PhD
Scholar
Dr. Santos is an Acting Instructor at the University of Washington School of Nursing. His passion lies in exploring the beneficial effects of physical exercise on body composition, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity in people living with HIV. Additionally, he dedicates himself to studies on COVID-19 and infection control. His studies were completed in Brazil, including a master’s degree (in 2014) and a doctorate (in 2018) from the University of São Paulo. In 2023, he achieved two postdoctoral positions, one at the University of São Paulo and the other at the University of Porto, Portugal. In addition to his contributions as an associate advisor in two graduate programs at the University of São Paulo, he is currently actively involved in the PROSPER-HIV and HEALTH studies. Along his journey, he has articles published in respected academic journals, covering topics such as Physical Exercise, Nutrition, HIV, and infection control. In his research journey, Dr. Santos aspires to broaden horizons, promoting a healthy and sustainable behavior change in people living with HIV. In his free time, he ventures into trails, explores new culinary flavors, prays, and reflects on life with serenity.
Christine Horvat Davey, PhD, RN
K23 Scholar and Instructor
Dr. Horvat Davey is an Instructor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She is a nurse scientist interested in symptom science, specifically examining the role exercise and biomarkers play in symptoms in order to mitigate symptom burden and improve quality of life for individuals suffering from comorbid conditions, including people with HIV (PWH). She collaborates with the Webel Research Lab through her work (K23NR019744) investigating sleep hygiene in older PWH and characterizes the effect of two exercise interventions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous moderate-intensity exercise (CME), on sleep quality in older PWH, as well as examine the underlying mechanism of inflammation as it relates to sleep in older PWH. She is a co-investigator for the PROSPER-HIV study, which examines the relationship between exercise and diet intake and the symptom experience in adults living with HIV. Dr. Horvat Davey’s work has been funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, American Nurses Foundation, as well as private foundations.
University of Washington School of Nursing Students
Harriet Fridah Adhiambo
PhD Nursing Science Student
Harriet is a PhD Nursing Science student at the University of Washington with experience in clinical and implementation science research. Her work has mainly focused on improving maternal, child, and adolescent health outcomes using innovative strategies including mHealth and improving retention and viral load suppression among patients living with HIV/AIDs in Western Kenya. She is currently working at the Webel Research Lab as a Graduate Research Student Assistant in the High Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits in Older Adults with HIV study (HEALTH).
Wenchi Lai
BSN Honors Student
Wenchi is an undergraduate Bachelors of Nursing student at the University of Washington. She joined Webel Research Lab since September 2024 and is currently working on her honors research project involving the HEALTH study and analyzing the effects of exercise on aging symptoms experienced by people with HIV. Wenchi is excited to work with the talented Webel Research team and looking forward to learning more about research and the impact it has on advancing healthcare for all. Besides research, Wenchi is a nurse tech at UW Medical Center on the Oncology-Med ICU unit and part of the Long-Term Care Externship program at Kin-On as well as a CNA on Evergreen’s Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.
Antonia Cai
BSN Honors Student
Antonia is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington, majoring in Nursing and Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health. She joined the Webel Research Lab in September 2024 and is currently working on her honors research project as part of the PROSPER-HIV study, examining how physical activity and diet influence symptoms experienced by older adults living with HIV. In addition to her research, Antonia serves as the cohort representative on the School of Nursing Student Leadership Board, advocating for her peers and enhancing the student experience. She also holds an executive board position in the Future Nursing Club, where she supports prospective nursing students through the application process. Antonia is eager to continue learning about the intersection of nursing research and its impact on healthcare with the Webel Research team.
Former Scholars
Dariga Tugan (preferred name Dasha)
BSN Honors Student
Dasha is driven by her diverse background to serve her peers, her community, and the underserved populations of Seattle. Being an immigrant from Almaty, Kazakhstan sparked a passion for Dasha to work with the underserved, uninsured, and immigrant populations. She is currently working to create a non-profit organization to help generate an awareness to the barriers of healthcare that these populations suffer from, and working collaboratively to brainstorm solutions to these barriers. She also serves as the curriculum chair of the Professional Organization of Nursing Students and collaborates with teams, such as the mentorship team, to positively impact her UW BSN nursing cohort. Dasha is excited to work with the Webel Research Lab to learn more about how evidence can inform meaningful change in the health of our most vulnerable populations.
Rikhia Chatterjee
BSN Honors Student
Rikhia is an undergraduate Nursing and Psychology BS student at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on social determinants of health and mental health. She has worked within the Webel Research Lab since September 2021 and researches how food security impacts aging people living with HIV. Alongside her research, Rikhia is a nursing extern at Seattle Post-Acute Medical Center and a behavioral technician at the UW Autism Center. She completed her BSN honors project working with our PROSPER-HIV study data.