Nyman is a world-leading expert in metal oxo cluster chemistry. Her invaluable contributions to molecular oxide chemistry have reshaped the field and led to new classes of molecular metal oxides which are now used in fundamental and applied research.
Metal-oxo clusters are a highly versatile class of materials with applications in pollution remediation and water purification.
Because of her expertise, Nyman has spearheaded numerous high-profile federally funded projects. In fact, Nyman and her team recently secured new grant funding in 2023 for several projects, including rare metal reprocessing, carbon capture and building “soft” materials from molecular bricks.
In 2021, Nyman was selected as one of the leaders of a $24 million federal effort to develop technologies for combating climate change by extracting carbon from the air.
Her achievements include the Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, the Gilfillan Award from the College of Science and the F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry.
Honoring the late Terrence C. Bradshaw, this endowment supports a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry. Bradshaw was born in Canada, but moved to a 110-acre farm near Corvallis when he was 10 years old. He later relocated to Yakima, Washington, then studied at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, before graduating from the University of Washington. An investor and engineer, Bradshaw worked at securities company Harris, Upham & Co.
Bradshaw attended many events at Oregon State and left a portion of his estate to the university’s chemistry, engineering and agriculture departments.