OSU Search Advocate workshops for Spring term are available for registration. Search advocates are outside process advisors who participate on employee search committees; their goal is to encourage culture and practices that favor equity, validity and diversity. The initial workshop series is a sequence of four 4-hour Zoom workshops. Those who complete the series may choose to have their names added to the Search Advocate Directory and will be eligible to serve as advocates until September 2022. Three-hour continuing education workshops for current advocates are also available. To register, go to the new Search Advocate/Workshops website. Questions? Contact Anne Gillies at anne.gillies@oregonstate.edu or 541-760-6160.
Monthly Archives: May 2021
Get to Know Zoom with Media Services: It’s Over, Now What?
Focused on best practices for hosting Zoom Meetings and Webinars. Short presentations on Zoom topics will be followed by Q&A with the presenters. All workshop presentations will be recorded and available within a week for those unable to attend. This week, we will focus on what to do after your event has concluded. Friday, May 21 from 2-3 p.m. Location: Zoom. To register for this event and for more Zoom information from Media Services, go to https://uit-at.oregonstate.edu/media-services-zoom/.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence
Register today to attend the May 27-28 Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) Symposium presented virtually through Canvas. CUE is an annual showcase for OSU undergraduates to present their research and creative projects to the OSU community. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines, in all years of study and all stages of research or creative work will be presenting. Registration to attend CUE 2021 is required and accessible only to OSU faculty, staff and students. For more info, visit https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/cue. For questions, contact events@oregonstate.edu.
Faculty Professional Development Opportunity
Join a small, supportive cohort to advance your teaching skills. The Summer ’21 Blended Faculty Learning Community will focus on applying effective practices for skillful use of educational technology and for integrating synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. Apply by May 16. Funding provided.
Spring 2021 Undergraduate of the Quarter – Karlie Wiese
Karlie Wiese has been named one of the Spring 2021 Undergraduates of the Quarter, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.
Karlie grew up in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. She attended Phoenix High School, home of the Pirates. She originally came to OSU with the intent to major in Nutrition with the Dietetics option to become a Dietitian. OSU is the only school in Oregon that has a dietetics program.
Karlie actually really disliked chemistry when she was in high school (long, long ago in 2007, she says) and dropped the class after the first quarter. She procrastinated as long as she could before she started her chemistry courses for Nutrition. She ended up loving chemistry so much that she was always eager to dive into her chemistry reading and homework. Additionally, she was working as a tutor and really enjoyed sharing her chemistry knowledge with other students and helping them better understand the material. She decided it was time to make a big change (her senior year!) and switch from Nutrition to Chemistry with an education focus.
She’s not currently performing any research, but may help conduct some research in chemistry education over the next year, and has been toying with the idea of getting into a research lab. She has been working as a TA for the 23x Gen Chem series for the past couple of years now. Karlie reports absolutely love it and says it has really helped to solidify her decision to go into teaching chemistry. Something else that might be mildly interesting to note is that she didn’t start college until about 9 years after finishing high school, and she’ll be 32 when she finishes her bachelor’s degree. After she finishes her bachelor’s, she says, she’ll move on to grad school. She’s still figuring out if she wants to pursue a Master’s in Science Education or go for Chemistry. After grad school, her plan is to teach Chemistry at a high school, or possibly college.
Karlie is a mom to a five-year-old, so free time outside of school has been virtually non-existent; however, she enjoys hiking with her family and just being in nature. She’s definitely looking forward to this summer as it’s the first summer in 16 years that she won’t be working or taking classes. Hopefully they’ll be able to make some camping trips and explore the state. They’ve all definitely been going a little stir-crazy during these pandemic times over the past year, so a bit of fun out of the house is long overdue!
She says it’s hard to pick one, but her favorite genres are sci-fi and nonfiction. If she has to pick one, she it’d have to be The Martian, by Andy Weir.
Karlie wanted to say, “thank you to all of the instructors for being so adaptable over the past year and working hard to ensure students could continue on with their education during these unusual times!”
We’re so proud of all our Undergraduates of the Quarter for their many accomplishments and wish Karlie the best of luck with all her future plans.
Spring 2021 Undergraduate of the Quarter – Alice Lulich
Alice Lulich has been named one of the Spring 2021 Undergraduates of the Quarter and we couldn’t be happier.
Alice grew up in Bend, Oregon. She attended North Medford High School, home of the Black Tornado. She chose OSU due to its emphasis and opportunity for undergraduate research. The other universities she was looking at were missing that, and it was crucial to her. OSU has been a great fit for her, and she is pleased with her decision. As far as research, she has been working in the Nyman Lab for the last two-ish years. She creates metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using transition metals and then characterizes them. She can also find applications for the new MOFs she creates, such as capturing carbon dioxide gas or splitting water in a photocatalysis reactor. This utility can be applied to clean energy solutions for climate change. She got into the lab in the first term of freshman year. She wanted to do undergraduate research, and it had a significant impact on her college choice, so she got in as soon as possible!
When asked why Chemistry, she replied, “chemistry makes sense to me. I geek out about reactions and always put things in terms of chemistry. For example, when I listen to music, I’ll think about the gas particles vibrating to get the sound wave to my ears. Or, when I am making food, I think about the denaturing process. Chemistry excites me so much!”
Alice plans research as a career. She is currently interested in options like the national labs, but the thing she loves about chemistry is its applicability; “I don’t want to limit myself to thinking I can only do one thing with my degree.” She says she will have to go to grad school first, though, so her after-school career is still a ways off. However, she is excited at the prospect of grad school.
Outside of school, Alice loves hiking and being outdoors. When she has free time (which school and lab limit), she loves reading and cooking. She is a homebody and an introvert, but she loves to catch up with friends as well. There’s nothing better than a night with good friends and good music. Her favorite book that she’s read recently is Educated by Tara Westover. She says “it’s such a captivating read. It had me hooked for the whole thing. I would highly recommend it, but just be forewarned that it is a wild ride.” Her favorite food is Thai Curry and Tomatoes.
Alice says she’s honored to be chosen as Undergraduate of the Quarter! “It feels rewarding to be recognized for the work I put into both school and my research.” We’re proud to bestow this honor on students like Alice, and we wish her all the best of luck in the future.
Research Associate position – organic synthesis/polymer chemistry – OHSU
To: Portland Section ACS Members and Colleagues
From: Martha Dibblee, email administrator
Research Associate
The Biomaterials and Biomechanics Department is seeking an enthusiastic research associate to begin immediately. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic multi-disciplinary group, including material scientists, polymer chemists, mechanical engineers and microbiologists. This position requires research performance consistent with the goals of the principal investigator, Carmem Pfeifer PhD. The lab is very active, with opportunities to publish papers, submit grant proposals, present at technical meetings, and work with partners in industry and university / government. Many of our lab members have been listed as co-authors in patents, and have later found senior positions in industry and academia.
There are currently several areas of work within my lab which span within the broad field of biomaterials and include the following specific topic areas:
1. Design and synthesis of novel polymeric materials for dental and biomedical applications: the major project funded in the lab aims at harnessing ecological interactions within the oral biofilm and host enzyme derived degradation of the tooth substrate to develop novel restorative materials capable of withstanding the challenges posed by the use in the oral environment. These challenges include mechanical loading, bacteria-derived acid demineralization of the tooth, degradation of the material by salivary and bacteria-derived enzymes, as well as substrate degradation by water percolation and host metalloproteinases.
2. Test materials under physiological conditions in vitro: material resistance to degradation under physiologically-relevant conditions is the main focus of the development in the lab. Testing includes microbiology assays, mechanical testing and combinations thereof. Polymerization behavior is assessed with spectroscopic techniques, isolated or in tandem with mechanical testing.
The successful candidate will have experience in synthetic organic chemistry, material characterization techniques and manuscript preparation. Ability to work independently and contribute ideas is essential. We are looking for a motivated individual, with the mindset of contributing to the group in a meaningful way. Career development training opportunities are plentiful at OHSU, and participation is highly encouraged by the PI. The lab is currently funded through FY 2027 (NIH-NIDCR 1R35-DE029083), and therefore, it is expected that the candidate will be able to be part of the group for at least 2-3 years.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree with major courses in relevant field and 3 years of relevant experience
• OR Bachelors degree with major courses in field of research (or RN or allied health professional) and 5 years of relevant experience
• 3-4 years of laboratory-related experience
• Synthetic organic chemistry, and molecular characterization (NMR, including advanced techniques such as DOSI, gel permeation chromatography, mass spectroscopy).
• Mechanical testing: universal testing machine (flexural strength, fracture toughness), dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology
• Spectroscopic techniques: IR and UV-Vis
• Manuscript writing experience
• Strong English language skills (writing and speaking) are required
• Must work independently
• Attention to detail and good record-keeping are essential
• Work hours are M-F, 8-5 with occasional after-hours and weekend attendance required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field
• Polymer chemistry, photochemistry
• Grant writing experience
• MATLAB
• Additive manufacturing
• Workshop experience
• Methods to study protein mechanisms and interactions (including gel electrophoresis, western blotting, zymography, enzymes activity and kinetics, immunoassays, fluorescent assays)
• General microbiology techniques (growth and manipulation of bacterial strains, plating, isolation of single colonies, biofilm analysis) and methods to study bacterial physiology (antimicrobial tests, assessment of growth rate and viability, imaging analysis)
The Research Associate is a full time position that comes with competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. This position is located in the RLSB just south of downtown Portland. More information at www.biomaterials-pfeiferlab.com
*Please apply online at www.ohsujobs.com, then search using 2021-7925.
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.
Sent on behalf of OHSU – Biomaterials – Pfeifer lab
Research in Environmental Health Sciences Seminar Series
Pilot Project Ignite Pitch Talks
Applicants for the Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Pilot Project Program will be sharing their research ideas in five minute Ignite Pitches.
This is a chance to learn about the state-of-the-art science, technology, and stakeholder engagement ideas being pursued by members in the Center and ask questions about their latest research ideas.
When: Friday, May 7 from 3:00-4:30 PM
Where: Join Zoom Meeting
https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94153815894?pwd=MTh0OElVWThhQXZER2YrazZsTUhDUT09
Password: 218039
Speakers: Each speaker has 5 minutes to share their ideas followed by 5 minutes for questions.
- Andrew Annalora, OSU – A Novel Mechanisms of CYP1B1 Regulation by Exosomes: Implications for Vascular Development, Wound Repair and Environmental Disease.
- Juliane Fry, Reed College – Expanding, Analyzing, and Translating Portland Particulate Matter Monitoring Data
- Siva Kolluri, OSU – Regulation of AhR-mediated transcription by p27/Kip1
- Seth O’Neal, OHSU – Planning a birth cohort in Peru to evaluate chronic environmental exposure to mixed heavy metals on hemoglobin levels, birth outcomes, and infant and child development
- Sarah Rothenberg, OSU – Arsenic Metabolism in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio
- Lewis Semprini, OSU – Development of a Rapid Test for the Cometabolic Treatment of Legacy and Emerging Contaminants Using Co-encapsulated Hydrogels and Embryonic Zebrafish
- Tom Sharpton, OSU – The Exposure, Microbiome, and Cognition Cohort (EMC2) Study
- Caren Weinhouse, OHSU – Identifying epigenetic drivers of pollution-induced cellular defense system gene expression
The mission of the Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health is to understand the interactions between environmental exposures, biology, and genetics to help prevent disease and improve human health.