Following the success of OSU’s inaugural MOOC, Open Oregon State would like to support departments and faculty who wish to expand instructional methods and experiment with innovative or experimental techniques. We invite the submission of proposals for the development and delivery of our next MOOC. Full details are on our website. Questions should be addressed to Dianna Fisher, director of Open Oregon State, at dianna.fisher@oregonstate.edu.
OSU 5th Best E-Campus in Nation
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State University is putting itself on the map again – this time for its online programs.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks the University as the fifth best in the country for its online Bachelor’s degree programs.
The E-campus program has been expanding over the years, serving more students around the world. Read more…
Communicating Science (ComSciCon) Workshop for graduate students
Applications are now open for the Communicating Science 2015 workshop (http://comscicon.com/apply-comscicon15), to be held in Cambridge, MA on June 18-20th, 2015. Graduate students at US institutions in all fields of science and engineering are encouraged to apply. The application will close on March 1st.
Acceptance to the workshop is competitive; attendance of the workshop is free and travel support will be provided to accepted applicants.
Participants will build the communication skills that scientists and other technical professionals need to express complex ideas to their peers, experts in other fields, and the general public. There will be panel discussions on the following topics:
– Communicating with Non-Scientific Audiences
– Science Communication in Popular Culture
– Communicating as a Science Advocate
– Multimedia Communication for Scientists
– Addressing Diversity through Communication
In addition to these discussions, ample time is allotted for interacting with the experts and with attendees from throughout the country to discuss science communication and develop science outreach collaborations. Workshop participants will produce an original piece of science writing and receive feedback from workshop attendees and professional science communicators, including journalists, authors, public policy advocates, educators, and more.
Founded in 2013 by graduate students at Harvard University and MIT, 150 graduate students nationwide have already participated in ComSciCon programs. Attendees have founded new science communication organizations in collaboration with other students at the event, published more than 25 articles written at the conference in popular publications with national impact, and formed lasting networks with our student alumni and invited experts. Visit http://comscicon.com/programs to learn more about our past workshop programs and participants.
This workshop is sponsored by Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Colorado Boulder, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, and Microsoft Research.
Fundamentals for Teaching at OSU
Do you have questions about FERPA? Or academic misconduct? Do you wonder about strategies for getting students to participate and build rapport with one another? Have you wondered whether there’s a resource at OSU to help students with… (fill in the blank.)? This workshop is for you! You’ll come away with information, resources, and ideas. Jan. 13, 2 to 4 p.m., Milam 215.
Lab Fees Web Page
A new web page has been created to help students who have questions about their lab fees. Students should be directed to this page before they are sent to the office.
http://chemistry.oregonstate.edu/content/lab-fees
This page can be navigated to using the Courses menu on the main page.
Association of Office Personnel Monthly Merit Award Nominations
Nominations for classified or professional faculty to receive a monthly Merit Award are now being accepted. The award recognizes and encourages outstanding performance in the work place. The nominator may be anyone from the campus community. Potential qualities include great working attitude, cooperation, courtesy, creativity, flexibility, professionalism, quality of work, sense of humor, and other qualities the nominee admires. Nominations are due by the 10th of each month. For more information: http://oregonstate.edu/aop/awards-recognition. December’s awardee was Kathleen Lillis from College of Business.
Chemistry mentioned in Materials World Magazine
What is it?
A new chemical reaction between magnesium, zinc and CO2 that can be used to synthesise nanoporous graphene for supercapacitors.
Who is involved?
Chemists and engineers at Oregon State University College of Science and Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, the University of South Florida and the National Energy Technology Laboratory, USA. Read more…
Who Am I? Wednesday – Sandra Loesgen
Name: Sandra Loesgen
Area of Study / Position Title: Assistant Professor in Chemistry
Why chemistry? (What about it initially interested you?): My high school teachers in chemistry and biology really loved their jobs and taught science with enthusiasm. In 7th grade, our class won a science fair working on allergy inducing proteins and peptides and since then, I am excited to work in a lab and look at health related chemistry!
Research focus (in non-science terms) or basic job duties? Drug Discovery. We focus on identifying new biologically active substances from rare bacteria and fungi. Most people have taken penicillin to fight a bacterial infection at least once in their life, but only few people know that this is a fungal metabolite and still one of the most used antibacterial drugs we have nowadays. Our research is focused on finding new potential drugs and to test them against pathogenic bacteria, cancer, and viruses and we are particularly interested in their chemical structures and mode of action.
One thing you truly love about your job? I love working with students and explore chemical structures provided by nature. There is noting better than collecting a sample, isolate microbes, and explore their chemistry and medicinal potential.
One interesting/strange factoid about yourself. I can eat Nutella with a spoon.
Inspiration Dissemination on KBVR
Inspiration dissemination is a radio show on 88.7FM every Sunday night at 7 p.m. that features graduate students sharing stories about their research and lives here at OSU. If you are a graduate student and would like to communicate your research to a broad audience, please sign up at the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/wDxnbfUkpj
OSU Women’s Giving Circle accepting proposals
The OSU Women’s Giving Circle is currently accepting proposals for grants to be awarded in May 2015. The applications are due by Friday, Jan. 16. For more information please visit http://osufoundation.org/howtogive/annualgiving/womens/apply_grant.htm. Questions contact Kellie Parker at 541-737-4691 or Kellie.Parker@oregonstate.edu.