{"id":2109,"date":"2026-01-22T22:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T22:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/?p=2109"},"modified":"2026-03-13T21:47:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T21:47:54","slug":"january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/science\/newsletter\/january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Smiling<\/span>
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Words from the Dean<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

January 2026<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Words from the Dean<\/strong>
January 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dear College of Science community,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am finding it difficult to write cheerful words while worried about everyone living through natural and unnatural disasters this week. But I do get joy (and I hope you do too) from the impact that our faculty, staff and students are having. There are so many ways that we as scientists help make the world a better place, from using data to understand exactly what the problems are, to advancing climate and ecosystem science, to identifying new materials that can be used to solve important challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to fuse science and joy is through art. An outing I\u2019m looking forward to soon is the exhibition that opened last week through the PRAx Collaborative Faculty Fellowship. Currents: Experiments in Art-Science Collaboration<\/em>, running through March 7, features work by College of Science researchers Dee Denver and Jeff Hazboun created in collaboration with artists. Dee\u2019s project weaves together biology and textile art to explore patterns of life, while Jeff\u2019s work transforms cosmic physics into immersive sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then on March 17, we will have the College\u2019s annual Inclusive Excellence event, which also has an artistic twist this year. Hannah Stuwe, a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry and biophysics, will explore what science can learn from DIY counterculture in the College\u2019s first live event at PRAx. Drawing on her research on SARS-CoV-2 and her experience as a musician and community organizer, the event will include live music and reflections on practices that strengthen how science is done and shared. Details are below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later in this newsletter, you\u2019ll also find announcements of faculty and staff awards that recognize the remarkable impact and contributions of our colleagues across the college, including teaching, research, mentoring and service. Come celebrate your colleagues at the awards event on February 17!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, read on to learn about recent research discoveries, including work influencing environmental policy, and the launch of our new data science major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Beavs \u2013 stay well, and do good.
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Eleanor Feingold<\/strong>
Dean, College of Science<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All the news that’s fit to print.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Please submit news, honors and awards, discoveries, events, research funding, student news, alumni updates and more. Just send us a quick email<\/a><\/strong> by the end of the month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"An<\/span>
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Research
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Bloom-forming cyanobacteria are genetically equipped to synthesize their own vitamin B1, making them resistant to bacimethrin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Research Highlights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A research team including members of the College of Science has discovered a previously unknown chemical mechanism that may explain why harmful algal blooms are so persistent in nutrient-polluted lakes and reservoirs. The study was led by microbiologists Christopher Suffridge<\/strong> and Kelly Shannon<\/strong>. Find out what their Upper Klamath Lake analyses uncovered.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine ecologists Kirsten Grorud-Colvert<\/strong> and Jenna Sullivan-Stack\u2019s<\/strong> research into marine protected areas plays a crucial role in the historic \u201cHigh Seas Treaty\u201d that went into effect Jan. 17. Less than two years after OSU scientists<\/a> led the publication of a landmark marine protected area (MPA) guide in Science<\/a>, the United Nations adopted the text of the treaty in June 2023. The treaty\u2019s aim is to safeguard and sustainably use the high seas, the two-thirds of the ocean not under individual nations\u2019 control. Hear from OSU Distinguished Professor Jane Lubchenco<\/a> on what this means for the future of our planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Funding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

May Nyman<\/strong> received $150K from Intel Corp. for a project entitled \u201cTin (IV) oxoculster-molecule dynamics in photolithography.\u201d She also received a $25K award from the Department of Energy for her project,\u201cTransforming Critical Materials Separations through Metal-Oxo Cluster Chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Giovannoni<\/strong>, Jeff Hazboun<\/strong>, David Ji<\/strong>, Marilyn Mackiewicz<\/strong> and Mark Novak<\/strong> all received $100K from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for Postdoctoral Scholar Fellowships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kathryn Everson<\/strong> received $21K from RE:WILD for her project,\u201cUncovering Madagascar\u2019s Hidden Tenrec Diversity: New Species Discovery and Description.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Congratulations<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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National Honors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Biophysicist Elisar Barbar <\/strong>has been named the 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Oregon Scientist Award from the Oregon Academy of Science. The award is one of the state\u2019s highest honors and recognizes scientific achievement, leadership, mentorship and contributions that advance science in Oregon and beyond. The recognition comes as she is leading a new 1.3 million NIH-funded training program to prepare the next generation of molecular biophysicists. Explore the broader impact of her work.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Honors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to the 2026 College of Science Faculty and Staff awardees! Here is a full list of recipients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching and Advising Awards<\/h4>\n\n\n\n