Words from the Dean
February 2026
Words from the Dean
February 2026
Dear Colleagues,
There are good things happening in our College and at OSU that I want to make sure everyone has noticed.
First of all, the federal funding picture is looking much better than we feared, with Congress restoring much funding to NIH and at least some areas of NSF. And it seems unlikely that the threatened reduction of indirect rates to 15% will really happen. Much remains to be seen, of course, but the continuing congressional interest in funding science is reassuring. Kudos to all of our faculty who have kept submitting and kept submitting through the last year – it is paying off with some very high success rates on grants across the College.
On the student side, we’ve seen some encouraging outcomes that are potentially attributable to all of the new student success initiatives. We are settling into the new advising model, the new Core Education, and the new first-year retention routines. Retention rates from fall to winter are up slightly, and the number of students who had a rough fall academically seems to be down.
As everyone probably knows by now, my favorite thing in the student success space is the Transitions course, which is an unparalleled opportunity to give new students both social connection and concrete academic and life skills. I had a blast teaching it once I got over the hump of learning all the GradeScope and Canvas tricks, and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year. We’re looking now for a crew to teach Transitions next year – faculty, advisors, and other student-facing folks are all welcome. An email with details went out earlier this week, but let me or Liz Gire know if you have questions.
Something else that feels like a big win right now in the student realm is that we were able to use Foundation funds to support five proposals submitted in December to the College’s Equity Projects proposal process.
- Microbiology and Biochemistry and Biophysics will both modify some lab classrooms to make them more accessible to students with mobility limitations.
- Physics will review and improve the accessibility of numerous classroom demonstrations.
- Mathematics will upgrade materials and instructional examples for 100-level classes to make them more inclusive.
- Integrative Biology will develop supports for Difference, Power, and Oppression instructors to increase their effectiveness.
It sure feels good to be taking concrete steps to advance access and inclusion.
Thank you all for everything you do. Keep doing it! And keep letting me know what I can do to support your work.
Read below for details about a few key events. On March 17, the Inclusive Excellence Multimedia Experience features 2025 award winner Hannah Stuwe blending music and science in a “STEAM-powered evening” exploring how DIY punk practices can strengthen how science is conducted and shared. On April 2, the College of Science will host a town hall with Jayathi Murthy and Roy Haggerty, followed by a lunch reception and poster session.
Eleanor Feingold
Dean, College of Science
All the news that’s fit to print.
Please submit news, honors and awards, discoveries, events, research funding, student news, alumni updates and more. Just send us a quick email by the end of the month.
Research Updates
Image: Researchers from BIOS-SCOPE I deploy an in-situ seawater sampling system on a cruise in 2018. BIOS-SCOPE III was just funded!
Funding
Jessica Siegel received $450K from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for her project, “Partners in Science Program.”
Steve Giovannoni received $1.2M from the Simons Foundation International, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, for his project, “BIOS-SCOPE III – An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Microbial Oceanography in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre.”
Ryan Mehl received $15K from the OSUF Venture Development Fund/Accelerator Innovation Department for his project, “Engineered Proteins as Therapeutics.”
May Nyman received $25K from the Department of Energy for her project, “Transforming Critical Materials Separations Through Metal-oxo Cluster Chemistry.”
Honors and Awards
Image: Congratulations to our winners of the 2026 Faculty and Staff awards in teaching, advising, administration and research excellence!
Faculty and Staff awards
The College of Science gathered yesterday, Feb. 18, to recognize and celebrate dedicated faculty and staff at the 2026 College of Science Awards Ceremony. This special evening celebrated significant individual accomplishments — from teaching, advising and research to inclusive excellence, administration and service.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations. So many were nominated, reflecting the extraordinary dedication of faculty and staff across the College.
Read our awardees’ inspiring stories and view the photos.
Celebrating excellence in research
Dean’s Early Career Achievement Award — Katherine McLaughlin
“A rare case of ‘the complete package.’”
Developing innovative statistical methods to accurately measure hidden and vulnerable populations. Her tools are now used to guide global HIV prevention policy and improve how human trafficking is quantified worldwide.
Milton Harris Award for Basic Research — Thomas Sharpton
“An exceptional scholar and an indispensable collaborator.”
Transforming our fundamental understanding of how the microbiome influences health and disease through computational innovation, widely adopted analytical frameworks and interdisciplinary leadership.
F.A. Gilfillan Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Science — Davide Lazzati, Physics
“Nothing short of extraordinary.”
Advancing multi-messenger astrophysics with foundational predictions that helped interpret historic neutron star merger discoveries and continue to shape the future of gravitational wave science.
Celebrating excellence in Inclusive excellence, administration, service and performance
Champion of Science Award — Kari van Zee, Biochemistry and Biophysics
“Always thinking about others and a first choice for collaboration.”
For more than 15 years, van Zee has fostered student success, strengthened academic programs and shaped a more inclusive College of Science environment, guiding students and colleagues alike.
Inclusive Excellence Award — Louis Wojcinski, Chemistry
“Efforts involve emotional labor, sustained commitment and a vision for an inclusive community.”
Redesigning large-enrollment chemistry courses to remove barriers for first-generation, underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students, cutting DFW rates nearly in half and building confidence in future peer mentors.
Gladys Valley Award for Exemplary Administrative Support — Bettye Maddux, Research and Development
“What she has been able to do for this community has transformed lives and elevated our grant portfolio.”
Transforming grant support and administrative systems in the College of Science, enabling faculty success, fostering collaborations and creating equitable access to research opportunities.
Distinguished Service Award — Paula Weiss, Chemistry
“Exceptional in scope, measurable in impact, and transformative for students, faculty and the broader Oregon higher education system.”
Guiding the launch of OSU’s restructured general education curriculum, standardizing statewide chemistry sequences and providing leadership that benefits thousands of students and strengthens faculty development.
Celebrating excellence in teaching
Loyd F. Carter Award for Outstanding and Inspirational Undergraduate Teaching — Matt Waterhouse, Integrative Biology
“No instructor has put effort in like Matt to make the course approachable, flexible and achievable.”
Creating an engaging, inclusive learning environment in ecology where students are challenged and supported, building critical thinking and practical skills for their future careers.
Loyd F. Carter Award for Outstanding and Inspirational Graduate Teaching — Elaine Cozzi, Mathematics
“As someone who aspires to be a math educator, I see teaching habits I want to emulate.”
Encouraging open inquiry in mathematics, fostering collaboration and guiding students to develop their own understanding in a welcoming, intellectually inclusive classroom.
Olaf Boedtker Award for Excellence in Academic Advising — Kari van Zee, Biochemistry and Biophysics
“Her intelligence, compassion and integrity helped me realize I could accomplish virtually anything at Oregon State.”
Providing compassionate, dedicated advising that empowers students to see their potential, navigate their academic journey, and feel fully supported throughout their degrees.
Fred Horne Award for Excellence in Teaching Science — Devon Quick, Integrative Biology
“Her passion for teaching and commitment to creating an open and inclusive learning environment have profoundly shaped my academic journey.”
Transforming Human Anatomy and Physiology instruction with active learning, inclusive pedagogy and real-world application, while mentoring learning assistants and shaping college-wide teaching practices.
College news
Image: Dorian Planken collecting Rostanga pulchra, a species of sea slug, for their BI 450 research project with classmates.
Curious how science and storytelling collide in the classroom and beyond? In this Q&A, physicist Randall Milstein shares what drew him to teach astronomy, how he uses science fiction to illuminate real-world scientific principles, and why engaging students’ imaginations matters now more than ever. Read more about his insights.
From immersive coastal fieldwork to a high-impact internship at Pfizer and a transformative study abroad, Dorian Planken turned hands-on experiences into a vision of their future in marine science. See how the College of Science helped shape their path.
Stepping into the operating room for the first time, biology student Kennedy Duff experienced medicine in action through the College of Science preceptorship program – an essential step for students planning to enter the medical field. Duff watched complex orthopedic surgeries and hands-on patient care at Corvallis’s largest hospital. Step inside her medical preceptorship.
OSU’s reaccreditation process with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is in progress. This comprehensive evaluation reviews our programs, policies and practices to ensure compliance with established standards and validate the quality of our educational offerings and institutional effectiveness. A peer evaluation team will visit the Corvallis campus April 8 -10. Learn more about the site visit.
Good news for Oregon State students considering osteopathic medicine or a physical therapy pathway! OSU and Western University of Health Sciences announced a new pathway program for Oregon State pre-health students. For those who qualify, it includes a guaranteed interview for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and, for physical therapy applicants, an application fee waiver. Associate Director of Health Professions Advising Maureen Leong-Kee was instrumental in helping develop the new program. Visit the program website to learn more.
Upcoming Events
Inclusive Excellence Multimedia Experience
Tuesday, March 17
4 p.m., PRAx Detrick Concert Hall
What does science have to learn from DIY counterculture? Inclusive Excellence Award winner Hannah Stuwe, a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry and biophysics, draws on her SARS-CoV-2 research and her work as a musician and community organizer to explore how DIY punk practices can strengthen how science is done and shared. The evening pairs short reflections with live saxophone and vocals, joined by bandmates and community musicians. Join us for this STEAM-powered fusion of music and science and hear how science is punk. Learn more about Stuwe and the event and RSVP.
Town Hall with President Murthy and Provost Haggerty & Faculty Research Poster Session
Thursday, April 2
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MU Horizon Room
Join us for a College of Science Town Hall with President Murthy and Provost Haggerty on Thursday, April 2 in the MU Horizon Room. The Town Hall and reception run from 11 to 11:45 a.m., followed by the Faculty Research Poster Session and lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Don’t miss this chance to connect with leadership and explore faculty research.