diff --git a/src/modules/proposal/schema/proposal.schema.ts b/src/modules/proposal/schema/proposal.schema.ts
index 03ff665..99ba00a 100644
--- a/src/modules/proposal/schema/proposal.schema.ts
+++ b/src/modules/proposal/schema/proposal.schema.ts
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ ProposalSchema.index({ ownerId: 1, status: 1, dueDateForStatus: 1 });
 ProposalSchema.index({ ownerId: 1, status: 1, projectAbbreviation: 1 });
 
 // Participating Scientists
-ProposalSchema.index({ participants: 1, status: 1, ownerName: 1 });
+ProposalSchema.index({ 'participants.researcher.email': 1, status: 1 });
 
 // Indexes for get by status and sort by key
 ProposalSchema.index({ status: 1, _id: 1 });