For over a decade, the Oregon Undergraduate Research Journal (OURJournal) has been dedicated to making student research more known through the publication of our research issues. These issues, featuring student undergraduate research across all fields and disciplines, are an exciting, professional way for students to feature their discoveries. OURJournal accepts lab work, term papers, and independent projects from all academic disciplines, emphasizing that research can occur in any field, from science to business to humanities. In each issue, multiple art features are also included, so artistically inclined students may be interested in submitting their visual pieces to be published as well. The publication process provides valuable experience, useful skills, and potentially resume pieces for students to incorporate into their future professional careers. Our primary goals are to increase our submission rates and get more involvement from students interested in and passionate about research. 

Please let me know if you are willing to advertise submission to OURJournal. This can take the shape of many forms, such as presentations before or after classes, announcements, newsletter inclusions, emails sent out to students or undergraduate lab assistants, or mentioning what we offer to those interested in expanding what they can do with their existing work in research. We’ve attached a folder of resources, including info that can go in slides or emails, a brief blurb to provide students with more info, and advertising materials.

OURJ Advertising Materials

Dear OSU Community, 

It is nearly time to celebrate our 2025 Beaver Grads! Oregon State University will host its 156^th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 14 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. 

Commencement is OSU’s largest event of the year and volunteers play an important role in making the day memorable for our graduates and guests. Hospitality Volunteers are needed on Saturday, June 14 from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Reser Stadium. Hospitality Volunteers will be asked to: 

• Greet guests 
• Guide guests to their seats 
• Provide directions and programs
• Assist guests with accommodations 

If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity for Oregon State University’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony in Corvallis, please sign-up here. 

Thank you for helping us celebrate our Beaver Grads! 

OSU Commencement Planning Committee

The last day to submit a nomination is this Friday, April 18. This award honors an outstanding Oregon State University inventor who has made a contribution leading to commercialization that significantly impacts their field and society. For details on the process, criteria and nomination form, please visit the OSU Advantage website: 2025 Faculty Innovator Award. Nominate yourself or someone you know that’s making an impact. The awardee will receive a $5,000 prize and desktop award. 

Scialog is currently accepting nominations for Fellows to the Quantum Matter and Information Scialog, which will take place in October 2025. 

“This Scialog seeks to promote broader interactions among different sectors of the quantum science community and will facilitate connections among early career researchers from a wide cross-section of academic disciplines. Scientists from physics, chemistry, materials science, surface science, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, and related fields will be brought together to develop new methodologies and help enhance our understanding of the quantum world with an interdisciplinary perspective.”

The Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement’s Scialog program (Science + Dialog) supports research, intensive dialog, and community building across disciplines on scientific topics of global significance. The purpose of Scialog is to spark ideas and bring together new collaborations in high-risk discovery research. 

At the close of the conference, Fellows are given the opportunity to pitch a proposal for one year of seed funding on their collaborative project. Interested researchers can nominate themselves on the linked website. 

Jane Lubchenco, Wayne and Gladys Valley Professor of Marine Biology and University Distinguished Professor of Integrative Biology in the College of Science, will speak on “Seas the Day: A New Narrative for the Ocean.” It’s time for a new narrative for the ocean, one that reflects current scientific knowledge and acknowledges innovative new partnerships and solutions that center the ocean in our future. 6-7 p.m., April 16, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Carmen Ford Phillips Auditorium or join remotely.

Come join the Office for Research Advancement at 3 p.m., April 16, in the Memorial Union Horizon Room as the 2024-25 Research Advancement Academy Fellows present their innovative plans for Transdisciplinary Research advancement. Opening remarks will be provided by Irem Tumer, vice president of the Division of Research and Innovation, and President Jayathi Murthy. This is an Oregon State University public event open to all interested parties. Livestreaming is available. No RSVP required. Reach out to puja.agarwal@oregonstate.edu for details.

Private Company – Shortwave infrared photodetector materials and growth technologies – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is looking for new materials and manufacturing approaches to enable the next generation of cost-effective, high-performance SWIR photodetectors.

Private Company – Photosensitive insulating materials for semiconductor packaging – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is looking for a novel photosensitive insulating material or a new method to induce photosensitivity to resin materials that goes beyond those currently used in industrial applications, specifically for semiconductor back-end processes.

Haleon – Cellulose-based sustainable packaging – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is seeking innovative technologies to advance cellulose-based packaging by combining high barrier performance, recyclability, and a minimized carbon footprint.

Private Company – Adjustable spindle for stretch blow molding machines – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is looking for spindle designs or mechanical design concepts wherein a single spindle may be adjusted to accommodate a wider range of bottle neck diameters.

Haleon – Minimally invasive detection of micronutrient levels in humans – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is seeking a cost-effective, minimally invasive solution to detect micronutrients levels in humans. Ideally, this would be an accurate, disposable, at-home test, such as a lateral flow test, or a consumer-grade device suitable for retail sale, designed for easy use at home or on-site testing, providing instant results. They are also interested in painless blood sampling or validated dietary questionnaires.

Private Company – Sterilization technologies for shelf-stable meat-based products – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is interested in processing solutions that can effectively inactivate microorganism spores while maintaining the aroma, color, nutrition, texture, and appearance of the original product.

BASF – UV protection compounds for agrochemical formulations – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30BASF is looking for innovative materials that can provide UV protection for agrochemicals after they have been applied to plants.

Private Company – Clinical trial protocols for athletic performance evaluation – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is looking for validated clinical trial protocols designed to assess the effectiveness of pre- and post-workout interventions on key athletic performance outcomes.

Novelis – Fabrication and testing of aluminum cylindrical batteries – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30Novelis is looking for a partner to fabricate a fully functional cylindrical battery incorporating Novelis’ aluminum alloy battery case and perform comprehensive performance testing.

Cargill – Oleogels for confectionery and fat-based food applications – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30Cargill is looking for collaborations with experts to advance the practical use of oleogels in food applications, with a primary focus on confectionery.

Private Company – Replicating industrial coil coating processes in a laboratory setting – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is looking to replicate real-world coil coating production conditions in a laboratory setting. This could involve a small-scale pilot line or alternative methods that mimic key industrial parameters.

Private Company – Hair loss and/or scalp health assessment – Deadline: Wed, Apr 30The sponsor is seeking a diagnostic tool, system, device, or platform that can assess hair loss and scalp health based on relevant biological readouts (e.g., biomarkers, hair growth, scalp or skin benefit endpoints, stress endpoints, etc.).

Private Company – Advanced thermal insulation materials – Deadline: Sat, May 31The sponsor is seeking advanced insulation technologies with high R-value per inch and Class A fire performance, specifically engineered to optimize insulation in space-constrained areas within existing buildings.

General Mills – Hybrid simulation approaches modeling ice cream processing and formulation for optimized sensory perception – Deadline: Sat, May 31General Mills is seeking modeling approaches to predict how changes in formulation or processing affect texture, stability, and sensory perception of ice cream. Their goal is to accelerate product innovation while ensuring every ice cream formulation delivers on quality and consumer sensory expectations.

Haleon – Whitening and stain prevention technologies designed for sensitive teeth – Deadline: Sat, May 31Haleon is seeking new ingredients, raw materials, and technologies that offer tooth whitening and/or stain prevention benefits and can be formulated into a daily-use toothpaste or potentially other oral care delivery format.

Private Company – Improving the viability of live probiotics – Deadline: Sat, May 31The sponsor is seeking technology solutions that would maintain the viability of live probiotic strains (e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, etc.) in conventional gelatin and pectin gummy matrices.

Private Company – Preclinical models to evaluate hair and scalp aging and longevity – Deadline: Sat, May 31The sponsor is seeking a medium to high-throughput screening system/model to evaluate the anti-aging potential of botanicals, natural ingredients, and pharmaceutical references on hair and scalp health.

Cargill – Physical segregation of whole cocoa bean fractions – Deadline: Sat, May 31Cargill is seeking a process and/or equipment capable of differentiating and segregating cocoa bean fractions – nibs, shells, and fines.

General Mills – Monitoring popcorn kernel moisture content – Deadline: Sat, May 31General Mills is seeking innovative solutions that enable accurate, in-silo assessment of popcorn kernel moisture content to determine the optimal timing for dispatch to manufacturing.

Leprino Foods – Elevating lactose and derivatives through innovative processes and applications – Deadline: Sat, May 31Leprino Foods is seeking transformative technologies that can elevate the value of lactose (including lactose, whey permeate, and de-lactose permeate/mother liquor) beyond its current commodity status.

To help potential applicants prepare for the upcoming July 1, 2025 deadline for Cottrell Scholar Award proposals (https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars/guidelines), I will offer virtual office hours with program information and tips for effective proposal preparation. Following a brief introduction, participants will have plenty of time for Q&A.  Please bring this office hour to the attention of eligible faculty in your department or your professional circles. 

In 2025, the Cottrell Scholar Award program is accepting applications from Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy faculty who started their first faculty position in 2022. The Cottrell Scholar program is committed to fostering an inclusive community of teacher-scholars who, collectively, can make a difference in the way science is taught in the US and Canada.

Cottrell Scholar Office Hours

To be able to accommodate the largest possible number of attendees, these sessions will be offered twice. RCSA Program Director Silvia Ronco will be available for questions following a short presentation on program goals, proposal preparation and submission, and the CSA selection process. We will use a flipped classroom format with the following pre-reading assignment: Cottrell Scholar Awards Power Point

When?

·         Thursday, May 8, 2025, 9:00-10:00 am Pacific Time (noon – 1 pm Eastern)

·         Friday, May 9, 2025, 11:00 am-noon Pacific Time (2:00 pm-3:00 pm Eastern)

To register for the Webinar, go here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSA_Webinar

Registration deadline isMay 1, 2025. A zoom link will be sent shortly after. 

Thanks for helping us disseminate this opportunity!

The annual In Memoriam honors recently deceased students, staff, faculty, alumni, and others associated with Oregon State University. Join us on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Lounge. This event will feature live music and activities for reflection and healing. The In Memoriam will take place in person and include a livestream broadcast via live.oregonstate.edu.

If you would like to acknowledge an OSU member who died during the 2024 calendar year, please complete the information on this form before April 25, 2025: beav.es/in-memory

For information, please contact the OSU In Memoriam planning group at inmemoriam@oregonstate.edu.

This award honors an outstanding Oregon State University inventor who has made a contribution leading to commercialization that significantly impacts their field and society. For details on the process, criteria and nomination form, please visit the OSU Advantage website: 2025 Faculty Innovator Award. Nominate yourself or someone you know that’s making an impact. Nomination deadline is April 18. The awardee will receive a $5,000 prize and a desktop award.