OSU Chemistry Department Newsletter
June 8th, 2012Science Scholarship recipients have more than just good grades
May 29th, 2012The College of Science is proud of the dedicated students here at Oregon State. On May 23rd, the 168 scholarship recipients in the College of Science were honored for their hard work. Celebrated Scholarships were comprised of private donor supported scholarships as well as national awards. The mission of the College of Science is to build the next generation of science leaders and advance this generation of research innovators. The new class of scholarship recipients is a shining example of the future of science at Oregon State University.
Each year talented students challenge each other, making Science scholarships more competitive. Recipients are not only high achieving students, but researchers in campus labs as well as volunteers in their communities.
Currently in his sophomore year, Jacob Huegel is involved with the Oregon State Pre-medical Society as well as the Biochemistry and Biophysics Club. The BB Club works in concert with his coursework and helps him to build relationships within the department. He enjoys the speakers that the Pre-med society brings to campus and is thankful for the guidance of the group as he prepares himself for medical school after graduating from OSU. To gain beneficial experience, Jacob works as a lab assistant in Dr. Colin Johnson’s lab whose research focuses on a family of proteins known as the ferlins, which help regulate membrane trafficking events and have been linked to several human pathologies.
Taylor Thompson, who will be a senior next fall, is also a star College of Science pre-medical student majoring in Biology. Like Jacob, she is also a member of the pre-medical society and has been volunteering with their blood drive since her freshman year. Taylor exhibits strong academic prowess as a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honors society that recognizes students who have succeeded in maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA. The society has also helped her to volunteer in her community and she has worked on science projects with first graders at Gilham Elementary School in Eugene.
In her junior year as a Zoology major, Elizabeth Graham-Williams is highly involved in research, sports, community philanthropy, and Oregon State activities. Off campus, she works with Chintimini Wildlife Center acquiring hands-on experience with several species of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even a beaver. With a minor in Spanish and a desire to study abroad, Elizabeth understands the importance of being a citizen of the world by deepening her understanding of global communities. Being a well-rounded student and building valuable skill sets outside of the classroom will be beneficial in applying for and succeeding in Veterinary School.
Jessica Flesher, who will be a senior next fall, is also a star College of Science student in Biology. Not only is she musically talented as a member of the Oregon State Marching, Pep and Symphonic Bands, but she also works to build valuable lab skills under the supervision of Dr. Virginia Weis who studies developmental and cell biology in of algae and their sea anemone hosts. After graduation from Oregon State, Jessica plans to obtain her Ph.D. in Marine Biology and study cetaceans. She intends on sharing the knowledge she gains to inform students and the public in a way that makes the information accessible without losing the integrity of the science involved.
Dr. Ethan Minot, a recipient of a CAREER award for new faculty members that supports early career development activities of academic leaders of the future, is working with carbon nanotube cloning and amplification. Physics major and College of Science Ambassador, Rodney Snyder, is a member of Dr. Minot’s research group as an undergraduate researcher. Having hands on experience as an undergrad is an affirmation that they have chosen the right path.
That is only a small sampling of the wonderful crop of students in the College of Science working diligently to make their presence known in the scientific world. We at the College look forward to watching them grow.
2012 F.A. Gilfillan Memorial Lecture
May 8th, 2012If you missed this year’s F.A. Gilfillan Memorial Lecture featuring OSU Distinguished Professor, Dr. Stephen Giovannoni, you can view it online here!
URISC Award Winners
April 26th, 2012Congratulations to the TEN College of Science Students who earned OSU Undergraduate Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Creativity (URISC) Awards! These students collaborated with faculty members within the College of Science as well as the College of Ag Sciences and the College of Vet. Med.
Read more about the students here.
College of Science student receives Goldwater Scholarship
April 15th, 2012Nanotube technology leading to new era of fast, lower-cost medical diagnostics
March 9th, 2012
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers at Oregon State University have tapped into the extraordinary power of carbon “nanotubes” to increase the speed of biological sensors, a technology that might one day allow a doctor to routinely perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs.
The Power of Estrogen: Male Snakes Attract Other Males
February 10th, 2012A new study has shown that boosting the estrogen levels of male garter snakes causes them to secrete the same pheromones that females use to attract suitors, and turned the males into just about the sexiest snake in the neighborhood — attracting dozens of other males eager to mate.
Ocean Microbe Communities Changing, but Long-Term Environmental Impact Is Unclear
February 9th, 2012“We’re just beginning to understand microbial diversity in the oceans and what that may mean to the environment,” said Stephen Giovannoni, an OSU professor of microbiology. “However, a large portion of the carbon emitted from human activities ends up in the oceans, which with both their mass of water and biological processes act as a huge buffer against climate change. These are extremely important issues.”
Documentaries to focus on salmon in Klamath River
January 28th, 2012A pair of documentary films on research projects aimed at saving salmon will broadcast on Southern Oregon Public Television in early February.
Undergraduate research launches students to new heights
January 5th, 2012The College of Science at Oregon State University is generating Science Leaders for the next generation. Collaborations between faulty and undergraduate researchers in OSU labs are leading toward innovation for Oregon.
When Sam Bartlett ran into his advanced organic chemistry professor, Chris Beaudry, at the near-campus coffee shop Interzone in spring 2010, he had more than a caffeine quest on his mind.
