{"id":1658,"date":"2015-06-09T14:46:06","date_gmt":"2015-06-09T21:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/?p=1658"},"modified":"2016-03-23T17:08:39","modified_gmt":"2016-03-24T00:08:39","slug":"retrospective-science-graduates-reflect-on-their-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2015\/06\/retrospective-science-graduates-reflect-on-their-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Retrospective: Science graduates reflect on their education"},"content":{"rendered":"

The College of Science is graduating 572 undergraduate students of science this spring: three graduates with an Honors Bachelor of Arts, 48 with an Honors\u00a0Bachelor of\u00a0Science, seven with a Bachelors of Art and 514 graduates with a\u00a0Bachelor\u00a0of Science. We are extremely proud of our students and look forward to their contributions and leadership to the field of science.<\/em><\/p>\n

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We caught up with several of our graduates as they approach graduation and asked them to reflect on their experiences in the College of Science and at Oregon State. Graduating seniors Michael Perlin, Tyler Mendes, Parisah Moghaddampour, Landon Oka, Justin Conner and Courtney Jackson share their stories.<\/p>\n

Both Michael Perlin<\/strong> and Tyler Mendes<\/strong> are physics and mathematics seniors who arrived at OSU planning to major in different subjects. The College of Science is committed to student success and proactively advises students to find majors that excite them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the best interest of all our students in mind as we guide them to find their place in science and to select the best major for them,\u201d says College of Science Dean Sastry G. Pantula.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy providing a variety of transformative experiences for our students, we help them learn and enjoy Science. I am extremely proud of our students and all that they have accomplished.\u201d \u2013Dean Sastry Pantula<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Perlin, a native of Corvallis, began his undergraduate career as a nuclear engineering major and soon switched to physics. Alongside\u00a0a rigorous undergraduate education in the highly regarded Paradigms in Physics <\/em>program, Perlin participated in rewarding research experiences with his physics professors and had two prestigious internships at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center. He recently won a DAAD (The German Academic Exchange Service) Graduate Scholarship to carry out quantum dynamics research for a year at the University of Ulm in Germany after his graduation from OSU.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first class was Physics 212 and in my second year I started the paradigms program. It is a pretty intense program and I loved it. It was soon after I started there that I realized I wanted to do science and research instead of building nuclear reactors,\u201d said Perlin, who intends to pursue doctoral studies in physics after his fellowship in Germany.<\/p>\n

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\n

\"Mathematics

Mathematics senior Tyler Mendes<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Part-Portuguese and part-Japanese, Tyler Mendes is used to defying stereotypes. She is a fifth-generation Hawaiian and one of just two women in her upper-division mathematics classes \u201cIt is very confusing to people. Because just reading or hearing my name one thinks I am a male Hispanic and then you see a female Asian,\u201d laughed Mendes.<\/p>\n

Originally enrolled as a nutrition major, Mendes who had enjoyed and excelled in mathematics in high school took an elective math class as a freshman and decided she would rather be studying mathematics. Mendes, who is also president of the Actuarial Science Club in the Mathematics Department, was recently offered a job as an actuary in Hawaii\u2019s largest domestic life insurance company.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just really enjoy being in math and working with my peers. I really liked my professors here. They are so brilliant they can appear intimidating. But thanks to them I have had some impactful educational experiences. Pretty much all upper-level math courses have been most important for my preparation for actuarial work,\u201d said Mendes.<\/p>\n

Perlin and Mendes are among the 572 science majors who will be graduating on June 13. These seniors collectively represent nine majors in the College of Science ranging from life and physical sciences to mathematical and statistical sciences. They exemplify the College\u2019s commitment to excellence in science education, inclusivity, geographic, economic, ethnic and intellectual diversity. Science students receive all the vital ingredients of a great college education: outstanding classroom teaching, invaluable research experiences, life-changing internships and a range of volunteer activities that contribute to the greater public good in Corvallis and Oregon.<\/p>\n

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\n

\"Integrative

Integrative Biology senior Parisah Moghaddampour<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Many of our science graduates venture out into the world as researchers, community leaders, role models, future physicians, veterinarians, pioneering scientists and active, engaged citizens. The College is committed to building leaders in Science. Parisah Moghaddampour<\/strong>, from the Department of Integrative Biology, is one such student. She was attracted to Oregon State by the reputation of its highly successful pre-med program. Once at OSU, Moghaddampour immersed herself in academics and community service.<\/p>\n

Daughter of an Iranian father and a Colombian mother, Moghaddampour has taught Spanish in elementary school, tutored math and science subjects at a Corvallis high school and was the vice-president of a club for rural minorities in health care at OSU. Moghaddampour\u2019s dedication paid off when she was recently offered admission to medical school at Loma Linda University in Southern California.<\/p>\n

\u201cMedical school is very competitive and you have to have activities that show you are a humane person who cares about others and if you are doing community service and not enjoying it that is a red flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt OSU, not only was I in one of the best pre-med programs, I also got to discover many opportunities to give back to people. There are so many different niches available here and it is all so accessible,\u201d said Moghaddampour.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\"BioHealth

BioHealth Sciences senior Landon Oka<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

BioHealth Sciences senior, Landon Oka<\/strong> wanted to be a dentist since he was in high school in Honolulu, Hawaii. Back then, Oka interned for a dentist who urged him to apply to OSU. \u201cActually he had graduated from University of Oregon but he told me to lean toward OSU as I was sure to get a stellar science education there,\u201d points out Oka.<\/p>\n

Oka will soon be joining the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis. He credits his community of friends and the faculty in BioHealth Sciences for his success and has some timeless advice for future science students.<\/p>\n

\u201cAim as high as you can because even if you don\u2019t reach that goal you will turn out successful. If you work hard and are diligent at things you will find success somewhere.\u201d\u00a0\u2013Landon Oka<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>
\nIn the sciences at OSU, students are an integral part of university research. In recent years, the university has steadily attracted attention for the number of opportunities for undergraduates to participate directly in research and has been ranked in the top 50 research universities<\/a>. Justin Conner<\/strong> and Courtney Jackson<\/strong> say the highlight of their undergraduate studies were their research experiences gained in laboratories, from study abroad programs and through internships.<\/p>\n

Zoology senior Conner, originally from Florida, was drawn to Oregon State\u2019s nationally recognized zoology and ecology programs. This summer he begins doctoral studies in comparative physiology at the University of North Texas, Denton.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy experience at OSU has been amazing and interesting.\u201d\u00a0\u2013Justin Conner<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cMy program in zoology really pushed me to get out-of-the classroom experiences whether it is study abroad, doing research or getting internships. I have done two of them\u2014study abroad and research. OSU has helped shape me as a professional. I have always loved animals, but beyond that I didn\u2019t know what to do. By doing research and being involved in my classes, OSU really showed me that research is where I want to go,\u201d said Conner.<\/p>\n

\"Zoology

Zoology senior Justin Conner<\/p><\/div>\n

Conner has spent summers doing research on endangered frog species in Professor Andrew Blaustein\u2019s lab, presented award-winning undergraduate research at conferences in Arizona and Seattle and spent five months in Australia analyzing data on the pulmonary system in skunks. Conner\u2019s mentor in Australia introduced him to Dane Crossley at the University of North Texas where Conner will pursue his research on cardiovascular physiology in vertebrates.<\/p>\n

Besides animals, Conner is also passionate about increasing and encouraging African American students to stay in science. He launched the Oregon State Club, CAMS\u2014Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Science\u2014that connects minority students to mentors, research opportunities and professional development.<\/a><\/p>\n

Biology senior Jackson deepened her passion for marine biology by doing visual and acoustic surveys of humpbacked whale communication in Alaska. She also interned at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport and worked for PISCO<\/a> (Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans) as a member of Marine Biology Professor Bruce Menge\u2019s lab on surveys of small marine creatures in intertidal zones.<\/p>\n

Jackson, who loves doing fieldwork, will continue working for PISCO on research projects after graduation before applying to graduate school programs in marine biology. She has valuable advice for science majors.<\/p>\n

\u201cParticipate in internships! I know everybody says that, but it definitely helped me.\u201d \u2013Courtney Jackson<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cInternships are important because you are able to interact with professors more naturally and you may do something that you could potentially end up doing for the rest of your life. For me, getting to know people and interacting with people is a really good way to get your feet wet and figure out what you like and don\u2019t like,\u201d said Jackson.<\/p>\n

\"Biology

Biology senior Courtney Jackson (Photo by Kelsey Kennedy for Terra<\/a><\/em>)<\/p><\/div>\n

Jackson reflected on her identity as a black female student in the sciences and how that may shape her career in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more I have discovered my identity, the more challenging it\u2019s become. Even though I have had the good fortune and opportunity to be taught by a lot of women professors, I have never been taught science by a person of color in college. I want to be that person, even if I teach a little class, as long as someone can see I am a person of color and I can teach this subject,\u201d said Jackson.<\/p>\n

A passionate champion of diversity, Dean Pantula agrees that it is important to have a diverse faculty.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe College is committed to enhancing diversity among its students, faculty and staff.\u201d\u00a0\u2013Dean Sastry Pantula<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cRecently, we recruited a senior Hispanic faculty member in mathematics and an African female faculty member in biochemistry and biophysics. Justin and Courtney are shining examples of future leaders in science who will not only strive for excellence, but also enhance diversity at OSU and across the nation.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We caught up with several of our graduates as they approach graduation and asked them to reflect on their experiences in the College of Science<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5667,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[641038,641666,641210,7519,1168293,911],"tags":[648365,653942,650933,656332,2477],"class_list":["post-1658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ib","category-mt","category-mb","category-ph","category-student-success","category-students","tag-author-srila-nayak","tag-awards-and-recognition","tag-biohealth-sciences","tag-diversity-in-science","tag-women-in-science"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6vHeb-qK","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4172,"url":"https:\/\/dev.blogs.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2016\/06\/graduates-take-stock-experiences-science\/","url_meta":{"origin":1658,"position":0},"title":"Graduates take stock of experiences in science","author":"farrisd","date":"June 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Graduates reflect on their experience in science and their education at OSU. 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