Words from the Dean
May 2025
Words from the Dean
May 2025
Dear Colleagues,
Last week’s College of Science Graduate Research Showcase was the highlight of the spring for me. We heard a terrific talk on some of the good things you can do with AI from College alumnus Jonathan Galleon of OmniScience, enjoyed lightning talks by seven graduate students and saw posters from over two dozen others. And of, course a taco bar. The breadth and quality of research from our faculty and students was incredible, as always. I was especially impressed by the communication skills exhibited in both the talks and the posters. If you didn’t make it this year, plan for next year – we’ll be doing it again!
As I’m sure you know, the federal landscape continues to be both worrisome and unstable. We will continue to monitor changes and keep you updated, and OSU will continue to join legal challenges. Impacts in the College of Science have thus far been modest compared to other OSU colleges and other institutions, but we are preparing the best plans we can to protect personnel, provide bridge funding to the extent possible and support our community through this uncertainty. I know that many faculty are off contract and/or in the field over the summer, but trying to monitor email for any grant-related notices would be smart. As always, if you receive a specific stop work order or request for information related to your grant, please reach out to DRI and to the college RDU before responding in any way.
The other work-related worry that may be on people’s minds is budgets. The upshot is that while the College of Science received a 4% cut to our base from last year, our enrollment growth above that base is substantial, and we expect that the budget model will provide sufficient funds to sustain all of our current educational, research and student success initiatives. I applaud everyone who has been involved in looking for efficiencies as we have struggled with budgets over the past few years – those efforts are helping us avoid more painful measures now. I am happy to talk gory details with anyone anytime. (Really! Reach out.)
There will be one more Dean’s Newsletter in June before the summer break, but here are a few highlights of what’s ahead this summer:
- By fall we will have finished implementing the new Core Ed (including the new Transitions course), new first-year onboarding (orientation) processes and events, and the new advising system.
- We will be developing courses for the new B.S. in Data Science (approved at the last faculty senate meeting), as well as the proposed new B.S. degrees in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience.
- We will have new faculty hires in every department, with terrific new talent on both the tenure-track and instructional side. Look for announcements of new colleagues in the fall.
- We will hopefully be appointing a new Department Head for Integrative Biology and a new Interim Head for Physics.
Thank you to everyone for all you do. It is week 8; if we made it this far, we can make it to the end. I hope everyone can enjoy the graduation event season that marks these last few weeks of the school year. I am looking forward to sending this year’s crop of graduates out into the world with joy and celebration.
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
Cryo-EM map of the LPD-3 protein showing LPD-3 (teal), Spigot (yellow) and lipid molecules (grey).
Research Highlights
Biochemist Sarah Clark led a groundbreaking Nature study uncovering how cells transport lipids (fats) between membranes — a process essential for brain health, metabolism and immunity. Her team revealed the detailed structure of the protein LPD-3, which forms a tunnel to move lipids efficiently between cellular compartments, and discovered a new helper protein, Spigot, that guides lipids into the tunnel. The study included key contributions from Maria Purice, assistant professor, and Hannah Long, a graduate student in Clark’s lab.
Research Funding
Kathryn Everson received $3K from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for her project titled “Ranges Imaging Mini-Awards.”
Tom Sharpton (Co-PI) received $15K from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture for a project titled “Development of in vivo models for discovery of novel antiparasitic compounds.”
Kirsten Grorud-Colvert received $40K from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for her project titled “Measuring fish recruitment to Oregon’s nearshore marine reserves.”
Congratulations
Experimental particle physicist Heidi Schellman has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences — one of the highest honors awarded to scientists in the United States and around the world. Schellman is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on neutrinos, elusive subatomic particles that hold clues to the universe’s fundamental structure. We are so proud of you, Heidi! Read more about her achievement here.
Mathematics Ph.D. students Praveeni Mathangadeera and Madison Phelps were selected to attend (with funding) and present their research poster at the NSF Computational mathematics PI meeting at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, May 8-9. Congratulations on a job well done!
Statistician Lan Xue was elected an American Statistical Association (ASA) Fellow. This prestigious honor is awarded to a select group of statisticians and data scientists who have made significant contributions to the field. The ASA elects a very small percent of its members as fellows each year, recognizing their impact on research, education, industry, and public policy. Congratulations, Lan, on a very well-deserved award!
College News
Microbiology graduate student and artist Nilanjana Das creates her parasite models with tracing paper and reed, the same material used for weaving baskets
Natalie Donato, an Honors College junior in marine biology and ecology, has been named a 2025 Udall Scholar in the Environment category. Also a 2025 Goldwater Scholar, Donato is the second OSU student in as many years to receive both awards. Her research in the Chapple Big Fish Lab, combined with a passion for science communication through art, shapes her goal of pursuing a Ph.D. in marine sensory biology and conservation. Read a full profile on Natalie here.
Since the early 2000s, Family Science and Engineering Nights have been bringing interactive STEM experiences to elementary school students across western Oregon. These free events, co-organized by chemistry instructor Margie Haak, feature hands-on activities like cryogenic demonstrations and gel bead experiments. Learn why graduate students love to volunteer.
Professional conferences play a pivotal role in launching careers for Oregon State statistics and data science students. From networking with top industry professionals to landing competitive roles — like alumna Chenyang Duan’s new position at AbbVie — these events offer real-world value beyond the classroom. Learn how conference experiences help students thrive.
Graduate student Nilanjana Das is transforming how we see aquatic life by blending microbiology with art. Using tracing paper and reed, she crafts illuminated sculptures of fish parasites — bringing the hidden world of microbes into the spotlight. Supported by a PRAx fellowship and science mentor Sasha Hallett, her work has sparked conversations in galleries from Corvallis to the coast. See her beautiful sculptures here.
On Dam Proud Day, 158 donors came together to raise $53,579 for the College of Science — fueling scholarships and real-world learning experiences for our students. We’re so grateful to everyone who gave. Your support is opening doors and helping students pursue their dreams with confidence.
A physics, mathematics and computational physics alumnus has launched his second company. Scott Clark (’08) sold his previous company, SigOpt, to Intel in 2020 and recently launched Distributional Inc., a startup focused on ensuring AI systems are reliable and trustworthy. His new venture has already raised $30 million and grown to a team of 30. Read how the College of Science gave him a strong foundation.
Roy Haggerty has been named Oregon State University’s new provost and executive vice president, starting July 7. A seasoned geologist and leader, Haggerty returns to OSU after a tenure at Louisiana State University. Previously, he served as dean of the College of Science and held other leadership positions at OSU. Read more about his appointment.
Events
Upcoming Events
Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture
Thursday, May 22, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Cordley 1316
John Marzluff is a professor of wildlife science at the University of Washington and a leading expert on crows, ravens and other corvids. His research examines how human development, such as urbanization and habitat change, shapes bird behavior and ecology. He’s the author of several popular science books, and his work has been featured in PBS documentaries and major publications. He will also present a scientific talk on Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. in ALS 4001.
2024-25 PRAx Student Fellows Exhibition
Opening Tuesday, May 20, 4 p.m.
Toomey Lobby of PRAx
PRAx Student Fellowships support creative interdisciplinary work at the intersection of two or more ways of looking at the world. Working with mentors from each area of study or practice, 2024-2025 fellows develop projects in one of four tracks: Art+Science, Humanities+Science, Film+Science and Engineering+Art.
Attend the exhibit opening and talk with the fellows about their works on display, including three students from the Department of Integrative Biology: Jalyn Devereaux, Natalie Donato and Arden Smith. You’ll also hear brief presentations from four creative writers and researchers
The Science of Networking: How to Hack Networking as a STEM Professional
Wednesday, May 28, 5 – 6 p.m.
Cordley 1616
Attention career-minded students: Looking to improve your networking skills? Studies have found that 50-80% of jobs are filled through networking, a crucial skill that takes plenty of practice. This workshop will provide tips and tricks for figuring out who to be networking with, ways you can engage with networking and some example questions or phrases that you can prepare ahead of time to put your best foot forward.
Milne Lecture
Monday, June 2, 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Cordley 1316
Rachel Ward of UT Austin, an applied mathematician known for her work on machine learning, optimization and signal processing, will present the 2025 Milne Lecture. This lecture is hosted in partnership with the Department of Statistics, the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences and OSU’s Computer Science program (College of Engineering). The lecture will begin at 4 p.m. with a brief reception prior starting at 3:30 p.m.
Graduation celebration: Department walking ceremonies
Friday, June 13
Valley Library Quad
- Noon – Microbiology
- 1:30 p.m. – Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics
- 3 p.m. – Biochemistry and Biophysics
- 5 p.m. – Integrative Biology (Milam Hall)
Celebrate with graduating seniors at your department’s walking ceremony! Graduating seniors from across the College will take the stage and receive a commemorative gift as part of this special event. A reception will follow each walking ceremony — an opportunity to connect, reflect and send our Team Science graduates off in style. Please mark your calendar and come cheer on your students. Let’s make it a moment to remember!