The Wei Family Private Foundation supports Oregon State students working on complex problems across disciplines — from tracking PFAS in urban environments and studying Alzheimer’s disease at the molecular level to modeling vaccine protection and developing new battery materials — advancing work that addresses global challenges in health, the environment and energy.

Established to honor Dr. Chung Kwai Lui, the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from Oregon State, the Wei Scholarship reflects a lasting investment in scientific discovery and the students who drive it forward.

In February, the College of Science brought that work into focus, hosting the Board of Trustees of the Wei Family Private Foundation for a student research showcase. The event brought together undergraduate and graduate Wei Scholars to share their work and connect directly with the foundation whose support helps make it possible.

Representing the foundation were Edward Chen, Janet Chen, Dee Chen and John Donnelly.

“This scholarship carries forward a remarkable legacy, and we deeply appreciate how that legacy is expressed through personal connection,” said Dean Eleanor Feingold. “The trustees take a genuine interest in the scholars, which helps them feel known and supported. That came through clearly at the showcase.”

The foundation was welcomed by Dean Feingold, Executive Associate Dean Vrushali Bokil and Oregon State University Foundation partners. The College’s Research Development Unit played a key role in organizing the showcase.

As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University promotes economic, social, cultural, and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation, and the world. Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principle that every student we admit — in person or online — should achieve their goal to graduate, and awards of Scholarships and Fellowships contribute to this goal in an impactful way. The College of Science invests in the success of our graduate scholars by providing financial support to students that we recruit and students that are currently enrolled among other ways of supporting their development, progress and growth.

Graduate students in the College of Science earned notable recognition during the 2023-24 academic year, receiving a range of awards which highlight their achievements and contributions to Oregon State. Below, we highlight some of these noteworthy Graduate School Awards. From state specific honors like the ARCS Foundation Scholarship to institutional support through the Provost’s Distinguished Fellowship, these awards recognize graduate students who embody the values of Team Science.

ARCS Foundation Awards

ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation, Oregon Chapter seeks to advance science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students who are U.S. students studying to complete Ph.D. degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, technology and medical research at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.

In 2023-2024, two College of Science graduate students were awarded ARCS scholarships. Karlie Wiese, doctoral student in Chemistry, received the ARCS Oregon 10th Anniversary OSU Scholar Award. Lucas Kolanz, doctoral student in Physics, received the Beth Ray ARCS Foundation Scholar Award. This award is funded through ARCS, the OSU Graduate School and by contributions from past OSU President Ed Ray in memory of his wife Beth.

Delson Bridge to the Future Fund

Pritha Biswas, doctoral student in Physics, is the recipient of the Delson Bridge to the Future Fund, designed to assist graduate students who are facing critical financial emergencies that could impede degree completion.

Dissertation Completion Award

Two doctoral students were awarded the Dissertation Completion Award. This award supports outstanding doctoral students who are in their final stages of their dissertations by offering an award to cover the cost of three graduate credits of tuition and mandatory fees for one academic term. The recipients are Adaline De Chenne from Mathematics and Njesa Totty from Statistics.

Graduate Dean’s Catalyst Fellowship

Two doctoral students, Theodore Bambakidis (Microbiology) and Jesse Howe (Biochemistry and Biophysics) were awarded the Graduate Dean’s Catalyst Fellowship. This award is a pilot program launched for the 2023-24 academic year to support graduate students nearing completion of their doctoral degrees.

Herbert F. Frolander Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Steven Tran (Chemistry) received the Herbert F. Frolander Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, which recognizes outstanding and professional involvement with both faculty and students by a graduate teaching assistant at Oregon State University. This award is presented to one graduate student from across the entire university during University Day in the fall. Hear from faculty and staff who nominated Tran here.

Laurels Block Grant Program

The purpose of Laurels funding is to provide financial support to academic units so they may diversify and strengthen their graduate programs. This is achieved by providing tuition support to assist with the recruitment of new graduate students to OSU. Two College of Science students received funding in 2023-24, masters student Bailey Sharon (Mathematics) and doctoral student Courtney Clement (Microbiology).

Oregon Lottery Graduate Scholarship

Three doctoral students received funding from the Oregon Lottery Graduate Scholarship. Funds for this scholarship are provided through the Oregon State Lottery and are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The 2023-24 recipients are Matthew Nguyen (Chemistry), Steven Tran (Chemistry) and Kaitlin McHugh (Integrative Biology).

P.F. and Nellie Buck Yerex Graduate Scholarship

Nilanjana Das, masters student in Microbiology, is the recipient of the P.F. and Nellie Buck Yerex Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to graduate students who are pursuing study in a scientific or technological field. It is awarded on the basis of academic achievement and promise for the future.

Prestigious Diversity Fellowship

Two doctoral students received the Prestigious Diversity Fellowship, intended to support the recruitment and retention of graduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who demonstrate scholarly promise at Oregon State. The recipients are Hallee Boyd (Chemistry) and Nyazia Sajdah-Bey (Integrative Biology).

Professional Development Award

The purpose of the Professional Development Award is to help cover costs for qualifying training, resources and activities that contribute to professional skills development. In 2023-24, the Graduate School funded the following students:

Alice Welch (Integrative Biology)

Olivia Burleigh (Integrative Biology)

Emily Taylor (Integrative Biology)

Pritha Biswas (Physics)

Kevin Dimmitt (Physics)

Provost’s Distinguished Graduate Fellowships and Scholarships

The purpose of the Provost’s Distinguished Fellowship and Scholarship program is to support programs in the recruitment of Oregon State’s most meritorious graduate students.Ian Clifford (Integrative biology) and Ben Daniels (Microbiology) received the distinguished Provost Fellowship award.

In 2023-24, the College of Science awarded Provost Scholarships to the following students:

Joline Nguyen (Biochemistry and Biophysics)

Emily Hiatt (Chemistry)

Sanpreet Hira (Chemistry)

Jack McLaughlin (Chemistry)

Gage Rios (Chemistry)

Rodrigo De Almeida Alves (Integrative Biology)

Brysyn Goodson (Integrative Biology)

Olivia Noonan (Integrative Biology)

Stefanie Fazekas (Mathematics)

Heather Fogarty (Mathematics)

Mansi Sanjay Mahajan (Mathematics)

Courtney Clement (Microbiology)

Lynn Kaneko (Microbiology)

Katelyn Spadavecchia (Physics)

Kalista Wayt (Physics)

Ian Moran (Statistics)

Scholarly Presentation Award

The Graduate School offers the Scholarly Presentation Award to provide graduate students with financial support to assist with certain costs associated with presenting their scholarly work at academic conferences and meetings. In 2023-24, the following College of Science students received this award:

Mona Khorani (Chemistry)

Nan-Chieh Chiu (Chemistry)

Anshika Nagar (Chemistry)

Ankit Yadav (Chemistry)

Jesse Laney (Integrative Biology)

Angelika Kurthen (Integrative Biology)

Jun Cai (Integrative Biology)

Erick White (Integrative Biology)

Jalyn Devereaux (Integrative Biology)

Jared Freedman (Integrative Biology)

Jesse Fritz (Integrative Biology)

Dorothy Zahor (Integrative Biology)

Jessica Karr (Integrative Biology)

Giovanni Crestani (Integrative Biology)

Kaitlin McHugh (Integrative Biology)

Kenneth Glynn (Integrative Biology)

Jazlee Joon Crowley (Integrative Biology)

Brenna Prevelige (Integrative Biology)

Jeremy Lilly (Mathematics)

Måns Mattsson (Physics)

Thurgood Marshall Graduate Fellowship

The Thurgood Marshall Graduate Fellowship is intended to support the retention of meritorious graduate students whose accomplishments and activities demonstrate leadership, service and commitment to fostering a just and equitable community. Val Sawiccy (Integrative Biology), currently an instructor at the University of Oregon, is this year’s recipient.

Wei Family Private Foundation Scholarship

The Wei Family Private Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established to honor the memory of Dr. (Mrs.) Chung Kwai Lui Wei and Mr. Hsin Hsu Wei. Its purpose is to award scholarship grants to graduate students with high academic credentials in science and math, with a preference for those who have lived in or are related to persons born in China. In 2023-2024, the College of Science awarded one Wei Family scholarships to Lemeng Li (Statistics).

Mark and Vicki Hehnen Veterans Science Scholarship

The Mark and Vicki Hehnen Veterans Science Scholarship supports science students who are veterans and provides financial support other than tuition. This award was established by Mark Hehnen (’78 Ph.D.). In 2023-2024, the College of Science awarded two scholarships to Ebony Stretch (Microbiology) and Angela Mellisa Thompson (Zoology).

Jesse A Hanson General Science Scholarship

The Jesse A Hanson General Science Scholarship is awarded to students who show high scholarship, potential for success, unimpeachable character and service to the university. Jesse Hanson was an OSU professor of poultry science from 1911-66. The following four students received this scholarship during the 2023-2024 academic year: Joshua Byrnes (Statistics), Jessica Etter (Chemistry), Elena Gasiorowski (Integrative Biology), and Mikaela Lee (Microbiology).

Fred W. Durbin and Helen E. Bette Pierce Durbin Endowment

Created by Fred and Helen “Bette” Durbin, this endowment supports graduate fellowships as determined by the Dean. Fred received a bachelor’s in general science from OSU and Bette graduated with a bachelor’s in home economics (now the College of Health). The College of Science awarded two Fred and Helen Durbin Scholarships to Ameh Benson Agi (Chemistry) and Jonathan Dutra (Biochemistry/Biophysics).

Science Graduate Fellowship

The Science Graduate Fellowship is to be used to support students enrolled in the College of Science with a preference for students in chemistry, biochemistry and the life sciences. The College of Science awarded one Science Graduate Fellowship during the 2023-2024 academic year to Emily Parker (Integrative Biology).

*When possible, links to students' directory profiles are included.

The Mathematics department welcomed 13 new graduate students this fall, two enter with a Masters, eleven with a Bachelors; four were awarded scholarships; one was awarded a fellowship!

• Camden Collins – Bachelors from Humboldt State University
• Addison Day – Masters from University of of California-Santa Cruz
• Nikolaus Elsaesser – Bachelors from Santa Clara University
• Cameron Fish – Masters from Portland State University
• Rebekah Kuss – Bachelors from Saint Martin
• Raven McCoy – Bachelors from Oklahoma State University
• Victory Obieke – International Student from Nigeria - Bachelors from Nnamdi Azikiwe University
• Connor Progin – Bachelors from University of Portland
• Kaitlynn Spiker – Bachelors from West Virginia University
• Hsiang Thum – Bachelors from University of Oregon
• Wyatt Whiting – Bachelors from Oregon State University
• Calvin Woods – Bachelors from Amherst College
• Jacob Yadush – Bachelors from Penn State University

The Math department is pleased to announce graduate students who received awards for the 22/23 academic year.

The Math department had 3 students who had their Wei Scholarships renewed for the 22/23 year. These scholarships are from the Wei Family Private Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit organization, established to honor the memory of Dr. (Mrs.) Chung Kwai Lui Wei and Mr. Hsin Hsu Wei. The purpose of this foundation is to award scholarship grants to students of Chinese heritage with high academic credentials. Fifth year students Chifan Leung and Nachuan Zhang, along with third year student Peter Cowal received their renewals of this award.

First year graduate student Hsiang Thum was also awarded the Wei Scholarship.

The Mathematics department welcomed 14 new graduate students this fall, five enter with a Masters, nine with a Bachelors; four were awarded scholarships!

• Sachini Abeysekara – International student from Sri Lanka – Bachelors from University of Peradeniya
• Fernando Angulo Barba – Masters from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• Kamrul Chowdury – International student from Bangladesh – Masters from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
• Erwin Cornelius – Masters from Illinois State University
• Nicholas Harrison – Masters from Western Washington University
• Jackson Holm – Bachelors from Montana State University-Bozeman
• Sarah Jones – Bachelors from Southern Oregon University
• Jon McCollum – Masters from California State University-East Bay
• Peyton Pfeiffer – Bachelors from University of Redlands
• Lily Posch – Bachelors from Western Oregon University
• Zach Radke – Bachelors from Portland State University
• Jason Ranoa – Bachelors from University of Wisconsin-Parkside
• Prince Tuffour – International Student from Ghana - Bachelors from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
• Andres Valloud – Bachelors from Western Oregon University

The Math department is pleased to announce graduate students who received awards for the 21/22 academic year.

The Math department had 3 students who had their Wei Scholarships renewed for the 21/22 year. These scholarships are from the Wei Family Private Foundation. This foundation is a non-profit organization, established to honor the memory of Dr. (Mrs.) Chung Kwai Lui Wei and Mr. Hsin Hsu Wei. The purpose of this foundation is to award scholarship grants to students of Chinese heritage with high academic credentials. Fourth year students Chifan Leung and Nachuan Zhang, along with second year student Peter Cowal received their renewals of this award.

“It is my honor to renew the Wei scholarship, which reduces my living expenses and enables me to focus on learning. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Wei Family Private Foundation.” -- Nachuan Zhang

First year graduate student Erwin Cornelius was awarded a scholarship from the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation, Oregon Chapter. The ARCS foundation seeks to advance science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students.

“The ARCS program award made my decision to attend Oregon State an easy one. Through the generous contribution of the ARCS program, I will be better supported as I work toward my academic goals.” -- Erwin Cornelius

The College of Science is pleased to announce that five incoming graduate students were awarded 2021-2022 ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation, Oregon Chapter scholarships. ARCS Foundation Oregon seeks to advance science and technology in the United States by funding graduate students. The scholarship provides $18,000 in financial support, payable over three years, to academically outstanding students who are U.S. citizens studying to complete Ph.D. degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, technology and medical research at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.

Through its efforts, ARCS Oregon has supported 301 young scientists with over five million dollars in scholarship funding and encouraged them to follow their scientific passions, earn their doctorates and further scientific knowledge. Funding is made possible through endowed funds, donors and chapter fundraising.

This year, ARCS Oregon is supporting a record number of 79 scholars: 25 at OHSU, 44 at OSU and 10 at UO. The scholars are chosen from selection committees at each institution.

This year’s new Oregon State College of Science ARCS scholars include:

In the College of Science, students have more opportunities to collaborate on undergraduate research that addresses real-world problems and prepares them for top graduate programs and training at internationally recognized institutions.

Half of undergraduate students in the College of Science not only work on research projects with faculty mentors across the campus, but also find a home at Oregon State University’s cutting-edge scientific centers and institutes.

Oregon State funds more high-impact undergraduate research experiences than any other university in the state. Undergraduate research programs give students hands-on learning experiences early in their undergraduate careers, opportunities to learn new things and develop new skill sets beyond the scope of the classroom.

Undergraduate research enhances employment opportunities

Undergraduate research opportunities also play a key role in developing student-faculty relationships. Associate Professor of Physics Matthew Graham mentors several undergraduate students supported by research fellowships in his lab and has found that the value of undergraduate research on student careers cannot be overestimated. “Research is an unspoken, firm prerequisite for graduate school, and it is one of the few ways industry-bound graduates can stand-out in getting their first job. I am surprised at how often potential employers contact me for references.”

Substantive undergraduate research experiences are the norm rather than the exception in the College of Science. A key trait that sets the College’s undergraduate research program apart is that students get the financial support they need to commit to a research program long enough to make effective contributions to scientific discovery and new foundational knowledge.

“The big reason that I came to OSU – and why I really love it – is because of the research opportunities."

“Science requires time, and while as mentors we strive to offer meaningful research opportunities to undergraduate students throughout the year, having the secured time-commitment to follow experimental designs from start to end and really own the research project they are developing is empowering for the students,” said Maria Franco, an associate professor of biochemistry who mentors undergraduate research scholars in her lab. “This is a very valuable opportunity that can impact their professional and personal goals in meaningful ways.”

Capping off more than three years of research in a disordered proteins lab, Seth Pinckney (Biochemistry & Biophysics '21) co-authored two manuscripts, one of which shares early results on the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.

Linus Unitan (Honors Chemistry '21) and his mentor Professor of Chemistry Vince Remcho were awarded a patent for devising a blood-plasma separator device for medical purposes in an analytical chemistry lab. Unitan also co-authored a paper on the subject in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.

The high caliber of undergraduate research is verified by the success of OSU science majors who have won some of the most competitive national awards, including the Goldwater and Fulbright awards, as well as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellowship. Since 2017, all Goldwater scholars from the College, eight in total, were involved in extensive undergraduate research programs before winning the national prestigious award.

“The big reason that I came to OSU – and why I really love it – is because of the research opportunities,” said biochemistry alumna Kendra Jackson (Honors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology '20), who received both Ray and Frances Cripps Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) and Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) fellowships to conduct research on fungal genetics and epigenetics. Jackson won the Goldwater scholarship in 2019 and is currently studying medicine at Stanford University.

SURE scholarships fuel student success

Students work independently to tackle aspects of research projects that are at the cutting-edge of scientific innovation, preparing them well for careers in science and industry. Chemistry student and SURE scholar Alice Lulich ('23) is doing research in a lab specializing in new inorganic materials. “The structures I make in the lab have never been made before,” Lulich said. “The SURE scholarship means that I will get to have as close to a grad school experience as possible in my undergraduate career.”

Undergraduate research programs also help students discover new interests and passions, enabling them to venture bravely outside their comfort zones. Zoology major Dustin Campbell ('20) won the SURE scholarship to conduct research in the area of reproductive behaviors in garter snakes.

Doing so helped Campbell discover a talent for both field and lab-based zoological research. “I thoroughly enjoy collecting animal specimens and field research. The SURE program showed me what the work looks like in the lab after you have collected the specimens. Being in the lab helped me realize that I do really like all aspects of animal research.”

Supported by donors, alumni and faculty, funded undergraduate research opportunities have had a positive and powerful effect on student learning and achievement. Since its inception in 2015, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program has helped science faculty engage undergraduates in their research. Supported by our extraordinary alumni and donors, in the last two years, SURE Science, among other student scholarship programs, provided $405K in scholarships to 80 students to participate in substantive lab and field-based research experiences.

“The structures I make in the lab have never been made before."

Our alumni are passionate about paving the way for students on their journeys to meaningful careers. Joel Peterson (Microbiology ’69) says he gives so that students can “get a better understanding early on of where research in their field is headed,” adding that students’ “enthusiasm and idealism” make him “feel like I’m doing something worthwhile.”

In addition to the SURE Science program, more than 10 different alumni-funded scholarships – both College-wide and department-specific support undergraduate research. These include the Student Research Experience Fund, the Ray and Frances Cripps Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Sheila Van Zandt Student Research Experience Fund; the College of Science Experiential Learning Fund; and numerous other department-specific awards. Each year these fellowships support students as they engage in original research alongside faculty mentors working on projects that span countless areas of fundamental and applied sciences and mathematics.

The alumni behind these funds, grateful for their own formative years in the College, believe that passing the baton enhances graduate prospects and creates a more hopeful future. “These young people are going to change the world,” said alumna and scholarship donor Judy Faucett (Mathematics ’70). “They are doing incredibly important things.”

OSU research means enhanced access and equity

The SURE Science program and other scholarships have widened equity and access to careers in science, increasing opportunities for underrepresented minority students and first-generation and low-income students.

"I am finally able to start doing the kind of research I want to do for the rest of my life!"

Instead of worrying about finances, mathematics student Luis Garcia-Lamas ('22) spent last summer conducting full-time paid research on corn genetics, using statistical modeling and data analysis to predict phenotype outcomes. “I come from a low-income background, so scholarships mean a lot to me. This research is fundamental to my upcoming graduate school applications,” said Garcia-Lamas.

With the help of funding, science students overcome significant barriers to engage in valuable research opportunities. “This scholarship means the world to me,” said integrative biology major Samantha Gregory, who studies the impacts of a predatory snail on ecosystems in the intertidal zone at Patrick’s Point, California. “I have several chronic illnesses and accessing scholarship programs where I can control my physical activity has been a challenge. I am finally able to start doing the kind of research I want to do for the rest of my life!”

True to its mission as a land grant research university, the College research programs are helping build the next generation of scientists and leaders so that they can develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing our world.

Judy Faucett (Mathematics ’70), former senior vice president of Equitable Life Assurance, clearly remembers the hiring climate when she entered the actuarial work force in the wake of the Civil Rights Act. Some companies seemed more interested in demonstrating compliance over truly reforming their hiring practices, and one incident stood out. “A decision was made to 'hire one more woman,' and if it didn’t work out, then they could document that women just weren’t smart enough to be actuaries,” she said. “At that point, I was extremely motivated to prove that women could succeed as actuaries.”

Her tenacity, determination and success helped pave the way for more women to join the profession after her. Faucett is the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for her service to the actuarial profession that has brought honor, distinction and visibility to the College of Science.

"I wanted to do something for a group that didn’t have all the advantages that all the other groups have."

Having experienced challenges as part of an underrepresented group in her field, Faucett is passionate about empowering current students to achieve their dreams against the odds. She has founded the College of Science Rise Scholarship, the first scholarship at Oregon State University exclusively serving students with disabilities, and she finds joy and inspiration in hearing their stories.

“I wanted to do something for a group that didn’t have all the advantages that all the other groups have,” she said. “The folks in the College have done a wonderful job of administering the program and finding great students with needs. I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.”

Breaking barriers towards success in science

The Rise Scholarship serves students with all kinds of disabilities, including physical, mental and learning disabilities. With eleven percent of College of Science students self-identifying as having a disability, the group is substantial and diverse.

One of the 2021 Rise Scholarship recipients is fully blind and facing challenges like finding accessible lab space and legible supplementary materials. “One of the requests we got was for a copy of the Periodic Table in Braille,” she said. “I do think that there are special [accessibility] issues in science.”

Being given a chance to succeed can be life-changing for students with disabilities. Faucett enjoys meeting with Rise Scholarship winners and hearing first-hand about their plans and ambitions. “I have such admiration for them,” she said. “Each one of these students has an incredible story to tell.”

A brighter future together

The Rise Scholarship is an important resource for students who may not qualify for most merit-based scholarships. Especially for students with learning disabilities, “getting a B or even a C is a significant effort for them,” said Faucett. “And so they may not think ‘oh, there's a scholarship for me.’”

“It seems so wonderful to see what these students are capable of achieving"

Reflecting back on her time at Oregon State, Faucett said that awareness and accessibility for students with disabilities has come a long way. In the past, “a lot of the learning disabilities hadn’t been diagnosed yet. There really wasn’t a lot of help for these people,” she said. Students with disabilities may have been labelled or labelled themselves as not smart enough for science. The Rise Scholarship is helping to re-write that story.

Students who identify as having a neurological disability have also benefitted from the scholarship. One recent recipient was brilliant at her lab job but struggled with time management. In decades past, getting to class on time or taking a timed test might have eliminated students who would be high-performing scientists with the right accommodations. The Rise Scholarship is creating a stronger science community through making a way for students with diverse abilities and perspectives.

“It seems so wonderful to see what these students are capable of achieving,” said Faucett.

“I read through some of their bios, and I'm just grinning from ear to ear. That’s what it's done for me.”

Read more about Judy Faucett's pathbreaking career.

The College of Science is proud to announce that 41 science students – a record number – have received summer undergraduate research awards that will provide the opportunity and funding to pursue their research ambitions.

Undergraduate research often plays an instrumental role in developing student-faculty relationships that help students learn and grow beyond the scope of the classroom. For many OSU students, these awards provide the financial leverage to work in the field they are passionate about without being constrained to jobs that simply pay the bills.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) award is available to all science students who meet the academic requirements. Participants are paid for 11 weeks of full-time research, or 440 hours, for a maximum of $5060. Awardees also receive an additional $500 for research expenses, including travel costs, materials or equipment rental.

This is also the second year that the Department of Integrative Biology offered the Alexei Lubchenco Menge Fellowship, which was awarded to Lily Miksell to support her research examining the interactions of dominant foundation species in Oregon rocky intertidal communities under the guidance of integrative biology professor Sally Hacker. The fellowship was established in memory of Alexei Lubchenco Menge, who died at age 27 in 2005. The award seeks to help one student each year within the department who exemplifies the deep love of the ocean that Lubchenco Menge personified.

SURE science awards are made possible by generous donations of College of Science alumni, faculty and supporters.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to come changes in the SURE science program in 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting access to laboratory space at Oregon State University, the deadline for completing SURE scholar research projects was extended to May 2021. Some students have projects that can be done entirely remotely and will complete and present their findings by the end of the summer. Some of the students below are able to work on their projects in OSU labs this summer, following OSU and Oregon Health Authority safety guidelines. For the majority of this year's awardees, the extended timeframe will allow them an opportunity to continue their research safely throughout the school year while gaining research experience.

SURE Science Scholars

Juan Altamira | Chemistry | Vince Remcho

Analysis of Explosive Compounds via Paper Microfluidic Device

Roy Anderson | Biology | Bruce Menge

Examining the Effects of Upwelling Intensity and Recruitment Limitation on Successional Trajectories in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Thao Mi Anthony | BioHealth Sciences | Kyriakos Stylianou

Implication of Metal Organic Framework with Nanoparticle Composites to Deliver Medication

John Barnes | Biology | Felipe Barreto

Quantity and Quality of DNA extracted from dry vs. alcohol preserved samples of China rockfish

Elizaveta ‘Leeza’ Bliznyuk | BioHealth Sciences | Dylan Nelson

Targeting Mycobacterium abscessus pre-existing biofilms

Madeline Bloom | Chemistry | Claudia Maier

Microchip-MS Optimization of Oxylipins Analysis as a Biomarker for Cardiovascular Disease

Elizabeth Brennan | Microbiology | Stephen Giovannoni

Plankton Need Their Vitamins: Vitamin B1 Excretion by Marine Synechecoccus

Russell Campbell | Zoology | Robert Mason

Integrative Biology Collections Management

Dustin Campbell | Zoology | Robert Mason

Sexual Dimorphic growth of Harderian glands in Thamnophis sirtalis

Emily Gemmill | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Weihong Qiu

Keeping up with the kinesins: analyzing regulatory proteins and their effects on the motility of KlpA, a kinesin-14 motor protein

Jessica Giulietti | Biology | Patrick Chappell

Exploring regulation of osteosarcoma in vitro: Mechanisms of RANKL production by autocrine neuropeptides

Dylan Gregory | Biology | Virginia Weis

Using the Split Luciferase Complementation Assay to Identify Protein-Protein Interactions In Cnidarian-Algal Symbiosis

Joshua Griffis | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Richard Cooley

Optimized Phosphoserine tRNA Selection

Shelby Hansen | Biology | Brittany Poirson

How is a young mussel's life affected by coastal water conditions?

Joshua Havelind | Biology | Francis Chan

Effect of rising temperature in the ocean on Dungeness Crabs

Toren Ikea-Mario | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Tory Hagen

Glutathiones effect on Mitochondrial Decay

Rohal Kakepoto | Physics | Janet Tate

Hall Measurements of TiO2 Polymorphs

Rony Koluda | Chemistry | Claudia Maier

Low Dose Radiation Effect on Myelination -Associated Proteins in Mice

Chapman Kuykendall | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Colin Johnson

Characterizing the Biophysical Interactions between Dysferlin C2A and the H3 Helix of Syntaxin-4

Dustin Campbell | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Massimo Bionaz

In vivo-in vitro dose-effect response of bovine liver to rumen-protected fatty acids: implementation of a nutrigenomic approach in dairy cows

Jessica Li | Chemistry | Jan Stevens

The effects of xanthohumol on gut microbial metabolism

Maya Livni | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Maude David

Unraveling the impact of the gut microbiota metabolites on intestinal sensory neuronal cells and how EECs transduce signals to the brain by forming a synapse with the vagus nerve

Ruben Lopez | BioHealth Sciences | Bo Sun

Quantifying ECM Remodeling by Invasive Tumors

Christopher Markgraf | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Susanne Brander

Immortalization and Validation of Inland Silverside Cardiomyocytes, Hepatocytes, and Osteoblasts

Saki Nakai | Mathematics | Vrushali Bokil

Mathematical Modeling of Bipolar Disorder

Hunter Nelson | Physics | Tuan Pham

Blowup of Reaction Diffusion Equations

Jacob North | Biochemistry |Victor Hsu

Elucidating binding features of drug targets to Farnesoid X receptor by unsupervised machine learning of molecular dynamics trajectories

Sarah Olson | Microbiology | Frederick Colwell

Investigating Changes in the Microbiome of North Creek

Reina Paez | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Lia Danelishvili

Identifying and Purifying Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterial Surface Antigens for the Purpose of Inducing Trained Immune Responses in Macrophages

Aneila Parra | Biology | Jiraporn Lueangsakulthai and David Dallas

Premature vs. Term Infant Milk Protein Digestome

Jacob Rauenhorst | Chemistry | Kathy Magnusson

Effects of ibuprofen on NMDA receptor expression and contribution

Alan Schultz | Physics |Hoewoon Kim

The Linearized Navier-Stokes Equations Solved on the Sphere by Fourier Transform Method

Rhea Sellitto | Biology | James Rivers

Evaluating the nutritional landscape for wild bees in managed conifer forests

Anna Sung |BioHealth Sciences| Maria Franco

Role of Redox Signaling in Development and Growth of Tumors of the Nervous System

Savannah Taggard | Biology | Molly Burke

The evolution of RoundUp resistance in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Jessica Waymire | Physics | Matt Graham

Hyperspectral Fluorescence Imaging of Twisted Bilayer Graphene

Kaytlin Wearne | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Kenton Hokanson

The Effects of hsp90 on p2x7 on Human ALS Neurons

Devin Wright | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Michael Freitag

Zymoseptoria Tritici Mutation Accumulation Experiment

Elizaveta "Lisa" Zhivaya | Biochemistry & Biophysics | Maude David

Impact of the gut microbiota metabolites on the autism phenotype modulation