OUR TEAM
Quin Denfeld, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, FHFSA
Principal Investigator
I am an Associate Professor at Oregon Health and Science University in the School of Nursing with a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. A lifelong Oregonian, I graduated from Hillsboro High School (proud Spartan!) followed by Linfield College, where I majored in nursing and minored in biology. I worked as a critical care nurse in the Cardiac and Surgical Intensive Care Unit at OHSU, where I developed the “research bug,” and thus, I decided to pursue a Ph.D. I trained with Dr. Christopher Lee at OHSU School of Nursing for my Ph.D. studies, graduating in 2016. I completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at OHSU School of Medicine, training with Dr. Beth Habecker.
I came back to the School of Nursing for a faculty position, where I now focus on conducting federal- and foundation-funded research, mentoring, teaching in the Ph.D. program, and providing service to multiple professional organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the European Society of Cardiology. I am also an Associate Editor for the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Section Editor for the Journal of Cardiac Failure, and Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
At home, I’m surrounded by my husband, three boys, lots of animals, and acres of hazelnut and walnut trees, where I attempt to carve out time for my hobbies: running, reading, travel, and enjoying wine and beer.
Shirin Hiatt, MPH, MS, RN
Research Program Administrator
I have worked at OHSU School of Nursing for over 30 years as a researcher and instructor. I have extensive research project management experience and have overseen numerous federally funded studies across various chronic illnesses, including cancer, dementia, heart failure, and liver disease throughout my career.
I have lived in Oregon since 1985. I earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Oregon. Later, I completed my bachelor’s degree in nursing at OHSU, followed by dual master’s degrees in nursing and public health, specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics. Currently, I am a PhD student (nearly a PhD candidate) at the University of Utah College of Nursing with a graduate certificate in gerontology through the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. My research interests are in family caregiving and dyadic research across the adult life span, specifically around dyadic appraisal of priorities of care in complex care needs of patients with multimorbidity. I am particularly interested in patient-caregiver congruence on priorities of care and how that relates to the dyads’ well-being.
When I’m not working, I study! I also love spending time with my family, doing Pilates, reading for fun, watching movies, cooking, and traveling when I can.
Zijiao Wang, MSN, RN
Graduate Research Assistant and PhD Student
Zijiao Wang is a PhD student in the School of Nursing at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing in China. Her research focuses on caregiver frailty among family caregivers of patients with chronic heart failure, with particular attention to how caregivers’ physical and psychosocial health change throughout the caregiving process. She is interested in exploring the impact of these changes on both caregiver and patient outcomes, aiming to generate evidence that informs family-centered care and supports the well-being of both parties.
Ryan Melson, BS.
Research Assistant 2
I am a lifelong Oregonian, having received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Oregon State University and currently pursuing a postbaccalaureate degree in Biochemistry with a pre-medical focus at Portland State University. I previously worked at the Portland VA Medical Center under Reid Thompson M.D., Ph.D. analyzing structured and unstructured VA medical data in radiation oncology. In the Denfeld lab since July 2024, I recruit patients into the active studies, collect and assist in analyzing data to better understand heart failure outcomes. I also assist in studies of social networks of dementia care givers under Kristin G. Cloyes, Ph.D., M.N., RN. I am driven by understanding etiologies of chronic diseases and improving the patient experience in pursuant of a medical career. Outside of work, I spend time lifting, running, rooting for local sports teams, and spending time with my cat Katell.
PAST STUDENTS & RESEARCH STAFF
Yasmine Robles, BA
Yasmine was a Research Assistant II in the Denfeld Lab from 2021-2025. She is now a PhD student at OHSU School of Nursing.
Tyler Ramos, BS
Tyler was a Research Assistant II in the Denfeld Lab from 2023-2025. He is now a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Mary Roberts Davis, PhD, RN
Mary was a PhD student in the Denfeld Lab from 2018-2022 (first student!). Her dissertation was entitled “Gender differences in heart failure: A focus on symptoms, frailty, and reproductive system events,” and she published three papers (read more here, here, and here). She is currently an Assistant Professor at OHSU School of Nursing.
Debora Burger, PhD, MSN, RN, NE-C
Debbie was a PhD student in the Denfeld Lab from 2021-2023. Her dissertation was entitled “Transition of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease to adult specialty care in the United States,” and she published three papers (read more here, here, and here) She is currently an Assistant Professor at Linfield University.