Honors Link

It’s almost impossible for Honors College senior Matt Kaiser to believe that he thought his freshman-year microbiology course would be his first and last college-level science class. Now, he barely recognizes the Matt who had just graduated from high school.

“I came to Oregon State wanting to study finance and stay as far away from science as possible,” Matt says. “If I look at the snapshot of Matt Kaiser who graduated high school at 18 thinking he knew everything about the world and knew that he absolutely did not want to study science…it’s mind blowing.”

That initial microbiology class, though, quickly changed everything. The following term, he took an upper-division course that discussed innovations in science and technology.

“I saw how applicable science really is beyond just a laboratory or a clinic,” says Matt. “I started asking questions that I really had never considered before.”

Suddenly Matt found himself reading about bioethics and bioengineering in his spare time, as what he called his new “academic hobby.” And after studying abroad in Spain the summer after his freshman year, Matt decided to start knocking on doors, looking to do research of his own.

“You have to be willing to do things that will help you develop,” Matt says. “Your ideas and your dreams really do matter. You have to take that step.”

He admits that he was scared to make the initial inquiries. With only two science classes on his transcript, he felt less qualified than other, more experienced students. But he knew he had a passion for biogenetics that he couldn’t ignore and he hoped would be evident to faculty members. The risk paid off. Roderick Dashwood in the Linus Pauling Institute took him on in his lab.

“It came down to me just going to ask those questions,” Matt says. “That will make the difference every time.”

Soon, he was researching the effect vitamin C has on cancer cells and testing existing theories of how and why high-dose vitamin C selectively targets cancer cells. This investigation found that the vitamin was actually changing the gene expression of cancer cells.

“Not only were we able to show that it was having an effect on cancer cells, we were able to show how they were different as opposed to normal cells,” Matt says.

As a result of this research, Matt attended the Experimental Biology Conference in 2013, an international meeting of more than 14,000 researchers and scientists and an experience he calls a turning point for him. He was the youngest scholar in attendance and was chosen to given an oral presentation on his work.

“At this point, I had one year of research, trying to keep my head above water with these big shots that were so much farther along in their careers than me,” Matt says. “It was a very big undertaking.”

At that conference, Matt proved to himself that his work was worth doing, and sharing, regardless of his age and experience.  He has since attended more conferences, continued his work at the Linus Pauling Institute, spent six months learning translational medicine and advanced cancer immunotherapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, started a nonprofit called Backyard Oregon to raise money for the Knight Cancer Challenge, and spoken at OSU’s TEDx event in February, 2015. He used TEDx as a forum to share his views on bioethics and genetic engineering advancements.

“We’re at a critical point with technology that fundamentally enhances and changes human life,” Matt says. “We have an obligation to guide ourselves into this new future and to learn how best to mitigate suffering.”

He says he has been humbled by his experiences, and he is grateful for everyone that helped him along the way. Matt says the Honors College academic advisors and professors supported him since the beginning of his freshman year and created a community within the broader university. Through the assistance of the HC, Matt founded the OSU Bioethics Society and furthered his love of science.  As a recipient of the HC Experience Scholarship on multiple occasions, Matt received the resources that made it possible for him to travel and fulfill his research goals.

“Without that, I would have never had the incredible opportunities to attend major scientific meetings across the country,” Matt says. “I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today without the generous support I received from the HC.”

He loves talking with people, sharing ideas, and encouraging the students he mentors in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Academy. The program, for students K-12, is designed to increase college attendance and participation in STEM. Matt works with students to kindle their interest and foster their motivation to make and achieve long-term goals.

“I’m head over heels in love with science, and what I love most about the scientific process is the communication aspect,” Matt says.

When people ask why he thought he was chosen to speak at TEDx, he cites his research success and the passion he developed at Oregon State.

“This undergraduate research experience opened my eyes to the potential of science, and it really changed my life,” Matt says.

This spring, Matt is set to graduate with an Honors Baccalaureate of Science  in microbiology and minors in Spanish, chemistry, and molecular toxicology.  June marks the end of his fifth year at Oregon State, and Matt is glad he took advantage of different opportunities to build his degree.

“Education isn’t a destination; it’s the journey and experiences along the way that will make the difference,” Matt says.

He encourages other students who ask him about his experiences to take risks, follow through on their vision and goals, and allow themselves to be surprised.

“You have to pick things that will scare you sometimes,” Matt says. “I really believe that determination and will power is learned and developed. You go through experiences that push you and these are what show you just how far you can go.”

By Emma-Kate Schaake