![Eric Vela walks in front of a building with a glass front and white pillars extending diagonally from the ground to a large wood awning.](https://i0.wp.com/ecampus.oregonstate.edu/news/assets/eric-vela-main.jpg?resize=200%2C150&ssl=1)
On a quest for the cure
4 minute read In December 2014, Eric Vela was hired by Oregon Health Sciences University to help lead a $28 million vaccine program that aims to eliminate HIV from humans. Even though he had 16 years of experience in infectious disease research, Eric needed to enhance his skills as a leader and project manager. So he turned to Oregon State to pursue an MBA in Organizational Leadership, a program that combines online course work with in-person classes in Portland.