{"id":1938,"date":"2025-03-19T20:15:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T20:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/?p=1938"},"modified":"2025-03-20T15:06:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T15:06:40","slug":"march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/newsletter\/march-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"March 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull are-vertically-aligned-center has-primary-background-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-77af73e5b00bbb15a7361f69119eaff8 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-fdf86e34 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:10px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:20px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:220px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized wp-duotone-default-filter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/cos-logo-bw.png\" alt=\"College of Science logo\" class=\"wp-image-707\" width=\"200\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:102px\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-link-color wp-elements-70ae1beb24ab5ab75616a030263f9d3b\"><a href=\"#research\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#research\">Research<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:85px\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><a href=\"#honors\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#honors\">Honors<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:73px\">\n<p><a href=\"#news\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#news\">News<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:81px\">\n<p><a href=\"#events\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#events\">Events<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad9073ae wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light wp-duotone-default-filter\" style=\"margin-bottom:0rem;min-height:700px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(97deg,rgb(0,0,0) 0%,rgba(0,0,0,0) 66%)\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1236\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1581\" alt=\"Smiling headshot of Dean Feingold in front of a campus walkway\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-scaled.jpg\" style=\"object-position:55% 36%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"55% 36%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-800x386.jpg 800w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-1280x618.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-500x241.jpg 500w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-768x371.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-1536x742.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-2048x989.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-1250x604.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/11\/feingold-2023-beavs-edit-400x193.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column d-xs-none d-lg-block is-layout-constrained wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-foreground-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:57px\"><strong>Words from the Dean<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-foreground-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:35px\">March 2025<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:8rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer d-xs-none d-lg-block\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading d-xs-block d-lg-none has-primary-color has-text-color\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;font-size:40px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>Words from the Dean<\/strong><br>March 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer d-xs-block d-lg-none\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Colleagues,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would like to start this month\u2019s newsletter with the good news that <strong>Vrushali Bokil<\/strong> has officially been appointed to the role she has been playing since the beginning of this academic year \u2013 Executive Associate Dean. Vrushali will retain her responsibility for research and for graduate studies, but will also collaborate with me on broader aspects of college leadership. Thank you and congratulations Vrushali!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other good things are in progress, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jessica Siegel, associate dean for academic and student affairs, has put together an outstanding team to teach the new <strong>core education Transitions course<\/strong> in the fall. The course is designed to give students a stronger start \u2013 helping them get oriented, set goals and build meaningful connections that support long-term success. Devon Quick, learning assistant program director, will be leading a learning community starting this spring to build team connections, examine the curriculum and develop\/understand course mechanics. I\u2019m incredibly excited that I\u2019ll get to be a part of the team in my first teaching gig at OSU. I\u2019m very much looking forward to this opportunity to interact with first-year students and more directly shape their experience at OSU.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Progress on <strong>creative new educational offerings<\/strong> continues, with the data science B.S. submitted to Curriculum Inventory Management (CIM), and programs in biology and neuroscience under development in Integrative Biology (IB) and Biochemistry and Biophysics (BB) respectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This year\u2019s crop of <strong>tenure-track hiring<\/strong> is going really well, with outstanding candidates accepting our offers in Chemistry, Statistics and more to come. The search for a new head of IB is also well underway, with applications closing at the end of April.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The budget situation<\/strong> in the College of Science is looking reasonable at this point, even with the budget realignment exercises that many of you have heard about. Our relatively strong position is due to the new University budget model, which is very much driven by student credit hours, and to our continuing strong enrollments. If nothing major changes (but see below), we can expect relative stability. What does \u201cstability\u201d mean? It means continuing to look for efficiencies where we can find them, but no drastic cuts. Nor do we expect dramatic growth, though \u2013 growth will be primarily driven by enrollment and student success imperatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All of this local good news comes, of course, in the context of some very concerning events for higher education nationally. There are reasons to be worried about research funding, about challenges to our mission, and about the broader world context in which we operate. I am proud of Oregon State University \u2013 proud of our commitment to our access and inclusion mission and proud of our continued progress on meaningful research even as the funding climate becomes worrisome. We are better insulated here than many of our peers at other institutions, but that should not lead to complacency. As we do our own work, I hope that we are also engaging locally and nationally in the ways that we each think are best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am available to talk about these topics and others \u2013 please reach out anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eleanor Feingold<\/strong><br><small>Dean, College of Science<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background-color has-tertiary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ddd26f17680a66af2c361a1e8e826456 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:6rem;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:6rem;padding-bottom:6rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-background-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">All the news that&#8217;s fit to print.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Please submit news, honors and awards, discoveries, events, research funding, student news, alumni updates and more. Just send us a&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"mailto:impact@messages.science.oregonstate.edu\">quick email<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;by the end of the month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b25d146d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"research\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:7rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6590d3d3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light wp-duotone-default-filter\" style=\"min-height:700px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(0,0,0,0.45) 25%,rgb(0,0,0) 53%,rgba(0,0,0,0.46) 74%)\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1066\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1940\" alt=\"A view of the lower Colorado river seen through the Grand Canyon\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/grand-canyon-lower-colorado-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:8px;text-transform:uppercase\">Research updates<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34a3781ad2142b9c81e083e01a3b13da is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:8rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">The lower Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is a rich environment for researchers interested in studying complex population dynamics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research Highlights<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Light is more than just illumination \u2014 it\u2019s a force that shapes the world around us. Physical chemist <strong>Tim Zuehlsdorff<\/strong> uses cutting-edge computational models to explore how molecules interact with light in complex environments. Supported by a prestigious NSF CAREER award, his research could unlock advances in solar energy and biomedical imaging. Learn how <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/shedding-light-on-molecular-mysteries-physical-chemist-wins-career-award\">Oregon State\u2019s supercomputer<\/a> will help him push the boundaries of quantum chemistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SciRIS Awards<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The College of Science Research and Innovation Seed (SciRIS) Program continues to drive groundbreaking research by fostering collaboration and innovation. The 2025 <strong>Stage 2 awardees<\/strong> are working on projects that revolutionize our understanding of river health, ecological communities, sustainable seaweed cultivation and insecticide resistance. Discover more about these <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/transforming-river-health-ecology-seaweed-and-pest-control-revolutionary-sciris\">College of Science seed-funded research projects<\/a> and their impact!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research Funding<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>David (Xiulei) Ji<\/strong> and <strong>Chong Fang<\/strong> received $476K from the National Science foundation for their project titled, \u201cCollaborative Research: Understanding the Correlation between Water Electrolysis and Chemical Environment in Aqueous Electrolytes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jenna Sullivan-Stack<\/strong> received $29K from the Pew Charitable Trust for her project titled, \u201cTracking Commitments to Our Ocean: Achieving Effective Ocean Protection through Accountability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ma\u0142gorzata Peszy\u0144ska<\/strong> received $9K from the National Science Foundation to attend the Regional Applied Interdisciplinary Numerical (Cascade RAIN) conference in the Cascade Mountains area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b25d146d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"honors\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:7rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6590d3d3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull wp-duotone-default-filter\" style=\"min-height:700px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(0,0,0,0.41) 31%,rgb(0,0,0) 49%,rgba(0,0,0,0.38) 67%)\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1831\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-1250x834.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2024\/06\/glitter-celebration-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:8px;text-transform:uppercase\">Congratulations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-01297e22ad3b3f080431d5d5546f581d is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:8rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Celebration<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The College of Science gathered on Feb. 26 to recognize and celebrate our high-achieving faculty and staff at the <strong>2025 College of Science Awards Ceremony<\/strong>. This special evening celebrated the very best in our College \u2014 from teaching, advising and research to inclusive excellence, administration and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to know which Team Science members received these heartfelt nominations? Read their inspiring stories and check out the photos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/02\/celebrating-excellence-in-teaching-advising-2025-college-of-science-awards\">Celebrating excellence in teaching and advising:<\/a> \u201cHe encourages students to reach out for issues and I\u2019ve never felt so safe in a classroom before. He connects with us and treats the classroom like home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/02\/celebrating-inclusive-excellence-administration-service-and-performance-2025-college\">Celebrating inclusive excellence, administration, service and performance:<\/a> &#8220;Her ability to provide a wealth of information on a variety of administrative issues is unparalleled, and she approaches each interaction with a warm smile and an eagerness to assist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/celebrating-excellence-in-research-2025-college-of-science-awards\">Celebrating excellence in research:<\/a> \u201cHis work not only advances fundamental science but also addresses critical societal needs, inspiring the next generation of scientists and leaders. I am honored to support his nomination wholeheartedly.\u201d Discover the full stories behind these honors and the impact of our awardees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b25d146d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"news\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:7rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6590d3d3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light wp-duotone-unset-1\" style=\"min-height:700px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-30 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1941\" alt=\"Natalie Donato holds the new Oregon shark license plate she designed\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/NatalieDonato-Shark-Plate.jpg\" style=\"object-position:63% 26%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"63% 26%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/NatalieDonato-Shark-Plate.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/NatalieDonato-Shark-Plate-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/NatalieDonato-Shark-Plate-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2025\/03\/NatalieDonato-Shark-Plate-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);letter-spacing:8px;text-transform:uppercase\">News<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-01297e22ad3b3f080431d5d5546f581d is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:8rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As the artist behind Oregon&#8217;s new shark license plate, Honors biology student <strong>Natalie Donato<\/strong> loves educating others about shark research. Plate vouchers can now be purchased for $40, with $35 from each sale supporting shark research, training, outreach and education for the Big Fish Lab at Oregon State. But Donato isn&#8217;t just an artist, she&#8217;s a scientist too. She also helps design 3D models of shark heads that help scientists learn more about patterns of electroreceptor pores \u2014 no dissection required. Read what she shares about <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/award-winning-biology-student-modernizes-shark-research-using-digital-art-techniques\">the power of undergraduate research.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Biochemistry and molecular biology major <strong>Estifanos Berhe<\/strong> is deeply committed to advancing biomedical research. After immigrating from Ethiopia at age 12, Berhe faced cultural challenges but found support in his family and community. Now, he balances his rigorous studies with roles at the Ettihad Cultural Center and as a diversity learning assistant. In the lab, Berhe investigates autoimmune diseases using fruit flies as a model organism. <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/undergraduate-researcher-studies-autoimmune-disease-to-improve-lives\">Find out what fuels him.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OSU Today did a Q&amp;A with microbiology Ph.D. candidate <strong>Vaishnavi Padaki<\/strong>. As part of her thesis, Padaki created mixed-media artwork that will be on display from March 31 to April 16 in Strand Agricultural Hall. She chose Oregon State because of Kimberly Halsey&#8217;s lab and her research in algal-bacterial interactions and microbial ecology. <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/10-questions-with-vaishnavi-padaki-microbiology-phd-candidate\">Read more about her exhibit and how it ties into her research.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Team Science in the saddle! <strong>Sophie Krueger<\/strong> plays on the newly revived women\u2019s polo team when she\u2019s not studying biohealth sciences. She encourages all undergraduates to find an extracurricular activity to explore during their time at Oregon State. Students don\u2019t need a horse or any prior knowledge to join the team and all of the gear is provided! <a href=\"https:\/\/science.oregonstate.edu\/impact\/2025\/03\/osu-polo-club-is-back-in-the-saddle-this-year\">Learn more about why Krueger think\u2019s it\u2019s the \u201ccoolest sport ever.\u201d<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Linus Pauling Institute<\/strong> celebrated Linus Pauling Day on Feb. 28, the birthday of the famous chemist. Along with being an Oregon State alumnus, Pauling is the only person ever to receive two unshared Nobel Prizes \u2014 for Chemistry (1954) and Peace (1962). <a href=\"https:\/\/lpi.oregonstate.edu\/about\/linus-pauling-biography\">Read his biography<\/a> to learn more about one of the greatest scientists and humanitarians the world has ever seen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b25d146d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"events\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:7rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6590d3d3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light wp-duotone-default-filter\" style=\"min-height:700px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#2d3019\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-726\" alt=\"Blurred figures at an event talk and eat\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-1250x834.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/events-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-foreground-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:8px;text-transform:uppercase\">Events<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-01297e22ad3b3f080431d5d5546f581d is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"color:#4a4a4a;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:8rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upcoming Events<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Dam Proud Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday, April 30, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join us for Oregon State University\u2019s annual day of giving to support future science leaders! Last year, our College rallied for student success, raising $45K for scholarships and experiential learning \u2014 helping students access resources to achieve their dreams. This year, we\u2019ll rally for Oregon State\u2019s new Finish in Four program, designed to help more Oregon students graduate on time with little to no debt. Join us on <a href=\"http:\/\/damproudday.org\/\">damproudday.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-tertiary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lonseth Lecture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thursday, May 1, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Department of Mathematics will host its 40th annual Lonseth Lecture on May 1, 2025. Mathematical prodigy Matthew Foreman, who received his bachelor\u2019s degree at the age of 18, will be the speaker. He is currently at the University of California Irvine and has made notable contributions in set theory and ergodic theory. More details to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-tertiary-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-tertiary-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Graduate Research Showcase<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Friday, May 16, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduate students at the College of Science are conducting crucial research that significantly impact both the community and the world. The COS Graduate Research Showcase provides an exciting preview of this future, featuring some of the brilliant and creative minds driving these advancements. The showcase will include research lightning talks and poster presentations from graduate science students on a diverse range of topics, as well as a keynote presentation from alum Jonathan Gallion, vice president of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI\/ML) for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.omniscience.bio\/\">OmniScience.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Words from the DeanMarch 2025 Dear Colleagues,&nbsp; I would like to start this month\u2019s newsletter with the good news that Vrushali Bokil has officially been appointed to the role she has been playing since the beginning of this academic year \u2013 Executive Associate Dean. Vrushali will retain her responsibility for research and for graduate studies, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6216,"featured_media":747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dnl"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/1831\/files\/2023\/05\/march.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5vqws-vg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6216"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1938"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1963,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1938\/revisions\/1963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}