Skip to main content
Megan Tucker smiles widely, her scarlet beanie a striking contrast to the snow-covered mountaintops that rise behind her.
Alumni and Friends

What do mathematicians do? This mathematics grad began a technical writing career at Amazon

Mathematics alumna Megan Tucker navigated clouds with a pen. After jumpstarting her technical writing career at Amazon Web Services, she's found her voice answering the unspoken questions.

Rachel Sousa stands before a vast body of water at the base of tall, sweeping mountains in Ireland.
Alumni and Friends

Mathematics graduate thrives with simple philosophy: ‘Why not?’

In the intricate languages of mathematics and biology, alumna Rachel Sousa, ‘20, is multilingual. Since graduating from Oregon State, she has bridged the disciplines through several prestigious research experiences and credits her success to seizing opportunities no matter the odds.

Man smiling at the camera. Part of a plant visible in the background on the left of the man.
Alumni and Friends

Meet a Science Grad: Justin Ihara

Meet Justin, 2009 Mathematics and Computer Science graduate, now an MES architect at Axonics Inc.

Photo of a hand writing math equations on a chalk board
Careers

Q&A: How to prepare for a job in STEM

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) interviewed Vrushali Bokil, Oregon State University mathematics professor and associate dean for research & graduate studies, for an online SIAM Careers Fair.

A young man hugging a German shepherd dog.
Alumni and Friends

Math alumnus fast-tracks degree to actuarial success

Math alumnus James Hansen jumpstarted his career as an actuary, completing half his degree while still in high school.

Kendra Jackson working in lab.
Students

How undergraduate research drives student success at OSU

Oregon State funds more high-impact undergraduate research experiences than any other university in the state.

Michael Waterman
News

Genomics pioneer paves the way for first-generation students

Genomics pioneer Michael Waterman (Mathematics ’64, ’66) receives the 2021 Lifetime Achievement in Science Award for his remarkable accomplishments that have brought honor, distinction and visibility to Oregon State University.

Portrait photo of Peter Banwarth.
Alumni and Friends

Epidemiologist and public health data scientist

Alumni profile of Epidemiologist and public health data scientist Peter Banwarth.

Goldwater Scholarship
Scott Clark in front of a wood fence background
Alumni and Friends

Meet a Science Grad: Scott Clark

At Oregon State, Scott Clark (08) was able to pursue majors in physics, mathematics and computational physics all at once. Today he is the CEO and co-founder of SigOpt.

Carrie Manore standing in front of a whiteboard.
Alumni and Friends

Math alumna’s disease modeling at national lab aiding public health initiatives to combat COVID-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed mathematical models in the spotlight as they have become central to public health interventions, planning, resource allocation and forecasts.

Megan Tucker standing in park
Students

Mathematics and writing senior awarded Department of Energy fellowship

Megan Tucker will graduate next month with a substantial amount of research experience under her belt: She was awarded the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship, which gave her the opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary team at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Albany, Oregon, during the summer of 2019. The new knowledge gained from her internship helped her land a job as a technical writer with Amazon Web Services — a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals, companies and governments.

Patrick Franklin in front of white backdrop
Alumni and Friends

Knowledge is more important than grades says math alumnus and American Express chief technologist

Patrick Franklin’s (BS ’89) mathematics education helped him adapt and thrive in some of the most competitive and iconic work places in America.

Elise Lockwood in front of shrubbery
Faculty and Staff

Mathematics professor receives Google award to improve K-12 computer science education in Oregon

Mathematician is part of a $141K, one-year grant from Google to enhance and increase integration between computer science education and mathematics teacher education.

Rachel Legard in front of Kidder Hall
Students

Math senior will use data to increase efficiency of governments and the private sector

For Rachel Legard ('19), a mathematics and business double major, participation and involvement in student and campus organizations has always been a priority.

A room full of students working on a whiteboard with text that reads "Mathematics Graduate Appreciation and Research Showcase."
Graduate students

Preparing Career Ready Graduates: Mathematics Department Participates in Graduate Appreciation Week

Graduate Appreciation week, held during March 31 to April 5, 2019, celebrated the achievements of Oregon State University graduate students in scholarship, research, teaching and service.

Portrait photo of Mai Gehrke.
Events

Using abstract mathematical structures to study algorithmic complexity questions: The 34th Annual Lonseth Lecture

The 34th Annual Lonseth Lecture : The Department of Mathematics is pleased to announce that Professor Mai Gehrke from the Laboratoire Jean Alexandre Dieudonné at the Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, France, will deliver our 34th annual Lonseth Lecture.

Illustration of a briefcase with different stickers of math conferences OSU students attended.
Events

OSU students attend major mathematics conferences

OSU students attended two of the largest national and international mathematics conferences in the US.

Word cloud in the shape of Pi
Careers

Summer Graduate Internships and Research Experiences

Jobs in Business (B), Industry (I) and Government (G) are consistently rated among the highest areas for job satisfaction, and mathematicians are in demand for their skills. For many students a summer internship can be their first and formative experience in a BIG job.

Kirana Bergstrom sitting in grass.
Alumni and Friends

Developer of state-of-the-art, high-performance mathematical routines

Alumni profile of Kirana Bergstrom, who received a masters with a focus in applied mathematics and scientific computation.

wooden cube on a table with math homework
Alumni and Friends

A career in math followed by philanthropy

After graduating with a degree in mathematics, Judy Faucett (B.S.'70) enjoyed a successful career as an actuary in some of the country's top firms.

Suzanne McGrath in front of cityscape view
Alumni and Friends

Breaking the stereotype of science graduates

Math alumna Suzanne McGrath will receive the College of Science's 2017 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for her achievements and leadership.

Michael Waterman in office space
Alumni and Friends

Going the distance: From Coos County and Corvallis to L.A. and the world

From humble beginnings to becoming an internationally celebrated mathematician and biologist, Alumnus Michael Waterman has shattered all expectations.

Sastry Pantula giving Scott Clark his alumni award
Alumni and Friends

Young Alumni Award winner makes Forbes' 30 under 30 list

Alumnus Scott Clark ('08) was named to Forbes' 30 under 30 list for 2016 and wins the College of Science Young Alumni Award.

The Memorial Union building at night.
Events

Milne & Gilfillan Lectures 2015

The Department of Mathematics celebrated Mathematics Awareness Month in April 2015 with the Milne and Gilfillan Lectures.