Browse the gallery to learn more about the amazing Class of 2022 graduates, their cherished OSU experiences, favorite mentors and dreams for the future! And check out our Class of 2022 story for more details on this extraordinary class.
Major: Biochemistry and Biophysics, Neuroscience Option; Chemistry, Asian Languages & Cultures minor
I decided to sign up for the BB major when I first entered OSU in 2018 because I was left hungry for more knowledge after taking chemistry in high school. What I didn't know was that I had signed up for a major that would introduce me to life-long friends and colleagues. It also gave me the opportunity to explore more about neuroscience and discover that it was what I was most passionate about.
Hands down Sisley-sensei. Sensei always made studying Japanese a great time by being enthusiastic and passionate about her students. I'm gonna miss her so much!
Any time spent in Japanese class was a good memory, because that's how I met some of my closest friends. I know this is controversial, but I also enjoyed taking gen chem, because I liked the huge variety of topics they covered. I felt like I could get a taste of a bunch of different topics.
Any neuroscience class had me hooked. I really liked the introduction to neuroscience class, as well as sensory and motor systems. Biomedical ethics was also extraordinarily fascinating because I never really question my own ethics, so taking a dive into the different points of views and analyzing different case studies and dilemmas was super fun.
I plan on taking a few years to work in labs, volunteer at local hospitals and shelters, and focus on giving back to my community. I would then like to apply to medical school.
Major: Zoology
I've loved diving more deeply into animal behavior and physiology.
Nathan Kirk is an amazing professor. His lectures were so interesting and his enthusiasm for his work is infectious. When I struggled with my first midterm and began to question my path, he reached out to me for a Zoom meeting. He was encouraging and caring and knew that it was just one rough moment. It was the motivation I needed to push on and I ended with an A on the final.
Traveling to Borneo to learn about Orangutan and forest conservation. It was the trip of a lifetime and I met the most amazing people who became a new part of my family.
Animal Behavior was one of my favorite classes, helping me hone my skills in observation and creating observational studies.
I would love to work with large primates in a zoological or sanctuary setting.
Major: BioHealth Sciences
The friends I’ve made.
Shawn Massoni.
Those late night study sessions at the library.
Microbiology.
Take a gap year and explore what I want to pursue in the future.
Major: Zoology; Chemistry minor
Learning all the unique fun facts about animals!
Virginia Weis, she makes lectures so engaging and fun.
Meeting others who think insects are cute. Most people find them gross but fellow Biology students understand me!
Animal Behavior, because it is such an interesting topic and we got to do really fun projects.
Continuing my path in Veterinary Medicine as a Veterinary Assistant, and moving up to Veterinary Technician; possibly going to Vet School, or working at a zoo with exotics!
Major: Microbiology and Theatre Arts; Chemistry minor
I enjoyed both of my majors, getting to switch between my analytical and creative sides. Microbiology and Theatre both focus on the details. I am happy to have gotten to work in a lab and run my own experiments, as well as be on the creative teams of and act in many shows.
My mentors in Lab, Steve Giovannoni and Christopher Suffridge care so much about my success as a student both now and in the future. They have guided me in every sense of my work and academics and I am very grateful. I also must acknowledge Dr. Elizabeth Helman and DeMara Cabrera from the Theatre department who have helped me to develop my creative skills and build my confidence on and off stage.
Performing in Bard in the Quad. There is such a thrill that comes with live theatre when you haven’t been able to do it in years, and to do it outside in the summer was just amazing.
I really enjoyed Immunology Lab with Dr Lowry! Such a fun lab with really informative labs and things I learned!
I will be completing my masters at OSU before moving on to a Ph.D. in Astrobiology!
Vitamin B1 cycling in marine microbes!
Major: Honors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pre-Med Option, Medical Humanities Certificate; Psychology minor
I had amazing mentors!
Dr. David Kerr, my thesis mentor. He pushed and advocated for my success all along the process of my honors thesis and really saw potential in me.
Working at the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center!
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology. It was so well taught by Dr. Devon Quick and I know this class will prepare me well for medical school.
Apply to medical school after gaining more life and clinical experience.
We are not the same: Culture, impostorism, and mental health among Asian American and Pacific Islander college students.
Major: Honors BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Med Option, Certificate in Medical Humanities; Chemistry minor
I loved being able to learn about how our microscopic world works! It was so fun being able to connect my learning with the world around me — like how my body functions, how germ and microbes can change our biomes, and how science is constantly evolving.
Dr. Will Massey! He teaches in an understandable, fun, engaging way and really cares about his students.
Some of my favorite memories at OSU are with my roommates, haha! I've really enjoyed going on walks through campus, begrudgingly studying at the library, screaming during football games and celebrating successes with them.
I loved the BHS 323 class! It was a lot of hard work, but I was able to connect the class with previous knowledge (from my physiology, virology, immunology, psychology, and biology courses) and felt like I had a really great grasp of the micro-level material! Dr. Allison Evans also gave great, supportive feedback!
I plan on continuing my education at OSU! I'm excited to start working on an MPH in Fall term! This summer, I plan to travel and take some well-deserved time to relax.
My thesis focuses on menstrual inequality. The current title of my project is "The Fourth Wave of Feminism in the Eyes of U.S. Congress: An Analysis of Stagnant Legislation and Failed Support."
Major: Honors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chemistry and Psychology minors
I enjoyed the challenging and thought-provoking work and how it brought together everyone in our major.
Kari van Zee is my favorite professor, because she brings so much positive energy to the classroom and brings the best out of her students.
My favorite memory of my time at OSU is anytime I was in difficult situation and pulled through. Any time the hard work of being an athlete and a student paid off.
Biochemistry with Andy [Karplus] because he always brought the Biochemistry Yodeling Bear and lots of positive energy.
I am returning to OSU to get my Masters in Adult and Higher Education with the goal of working in Student-Athlete Development.
The topic of my thesis was the NCAA vs. Alston court case and its implications for collegiate athletics.
Major: Ph.D. Physics
Uncovering mysteries of the universe and how it works.
Dr. Schellman was an unbelievable mentor and was always there for me pushing me to be at my best.
I was struggling to get my code to work, and then after some prayer and reflection it finally did, and things started happening after that.
Quantum physics because it was really hard, but Dr. Ostroverkhova pushed me and helped me get through.
I will go to West Point and teach physics and aspire to be the Department Head of Physics and Nuclear Engineering.
Application and Validation of Geant4 Modeling for Optimization of Complex Structures for Fast Neutron Detection.
Major: Zoology
I loved the freedom in my electives. It was so much fun taking courses like Herpetology and Mammal Conservation.
Jamie Cornelius was the faculty member in my Beaver Connect group during COVID, and she was so personable and relatable. I took her Environmental Physiology course as well, and she really worked with all of us to make sure we understood the material.
I loved the lab for Vertebrate Biology and the lecture. Basically, I loved the whole class. The lecture was so fun with Bob And Dave. They really have great senses of humor. I came home laughing a lot. The lab had jars full of frogs. I got to touch a horse skull and look inside a lamprey. Who wouldn’t love that?
I want to illustrate books for kids to get them interested in the sciences. I fell in love with organismal bio as a kid thumbing through Eyewitness Books at the local library. I want to make those experiences possible for the next generation.
Major: BioHealth Sciences
Having the opportunity to take a wide variety of science classes surrounded by those who were interested in the same field as me.
Tiffany Bolman (mentor) and Daniel Myles (professor) were my favorites because they were so accommodating and always put their students first.
Pulling an all-nighter at the Valley Library in order to "study," but ended up eating snacks and watching White Chicks instead.
I really enjoyed Chemistry. It was the science class that I performed the best in (maybe because of all the calculations).
Pharmacy School.
Majors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Advanced Molecular Biology Option; Spanish and Chemistry minors
The incredibly supportive advisors and faculty members.
Kari van Zee — she genuinely cares about all of the students she interacts with and goes above and beyond inside and outside of the classroom.
Getting to study abroad in Spain during the Fall 2021 term.
The first class of the biochemistry series because Dr. Karplus is an incredible professor and is very passionate about helping his students learn.
I will be attending Johns Hopkins University to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology.
Hepatic gene expression patterns in mice fed high-fat diets supplemented with watermelon flesh and watermelon phytochemicals.
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy Option
The feeling of accomplishment when completing hard classes among like-minded peers. Some of my favorite classes were ones I had close friends in, and I treasure those memories.
Dr. Linda Bruslind of the Microbiology Department is my favorite professor, due to her straightforward teaching style and friendly nature.
I was in the Oregon State Marching Band and some of my favorite memories are playing at football and basketball games with my friends. The energy of the crowd was invigorating and something I will never forget.
My favorite class in the College of Science was Microbiology because I felt like I really learned the material, and the lab was intense but rewarding.
After graduation, I plan to take a gap year before applying to schools of Naturopathic Medicine.
Major: Honors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computational Option
The biochemistry faculty are all fantastic, much like a family to me. I was impressed by the level of commitment and effort they put into laboratory courses, even in the midst of a pandemic. These courses were challenging, but highly enjoyable!
Dr. David Hendrix is a great educator and mentor. He is passionate about his areas of research and about the computational methods to study them. He is great at explaining difficult concepts, even to the unfamiliar, and has a great sense of humor!
Walking home in light rain with the calming smell of petrichor in the air, content with the work my lab group accomplished and excited for the next steps.
BOT460 - Functional Genomics. This was a class about biophysical and biochemical experimental methods and involved recent literature reviews. Dr. Anderson was an extremely helpful professor and the small class made discussions interesting, even over Zoom. Despite the challenges of remote learning, this class inspired me and excited me about the future of molecular biology.
I have been accepted for a master’s degree here at Oregon State in Biochemistry/Biophysics and I have started with coursework this term. By the end of the next year or so, I will hopefully have a strong idea of what specific field I will work in for my future doctorate degree!
RNA Secondary Structure: For my Honors thesis, I helped develop a program to calculate the free energy of RNA secondary sub-structures including Hairpin loops, Bulges, Internal loops, and helical stems from the bpRNA-1m meta-database. Using this data, I studied "Local Energy Compensation" where more stabilizing stems are adjacent to more destabilizing hairpin loops, bulges, and internal loops. I demonstrated that this compensation or the lack thereof could be relevant to RNA function.
Major: Physics and Math; Computer Science minor
I enjoy the problem solving and the diversity of work opportunities that these majors make possible.
Chris Sullivan - He helped shape my academic journey and made me the person I am today.
Enjoying time on our beautiful campus during the summer.
PH 315 - I liked the type of thinking that it promoted.
After an internship at Framatome working on code for their boiling water reactors, I plan to go to attend graduate school.
Computational Drug Discovery.
Major: Microbiology; Computer Science, Chemistry, and Biological Data Science minors
It helped me find particular niches of science that I loved. It also gave me hands-on experience in lab environments, allowing me to learn so much.
Virology! Rebecca was an amazing teacher and it really sparked my enthusiasm for understanding pathological viruses and bacteria.
I graduated Winter of 2022 and moved to Seattle. I started a job as a Research Scientist and Seattle Children’s Research Institute, which is super exciting! I plan to go back to school in a couple years for my Master’s or Ph.D., but for now I’m going to enjoy working in research and gaining real world experience.
Major: Biology and BioResource Research, Pre-Med and Bioinformatics/Genomics Options; Chemistry minor
I loved all the support I have received from everyone.
Wanda Crannell is an amazing and supportive mentor/advisor who always encourages me to work harder to achieve my goal.
Trying new things and meeting new friends.
I plan to go to medical school after graduation.
Gene Expression Biomarkers in Feline Injection-Site Sarcomas (FISS).
Major: Honors BioHealth Sciences; Chemistry and Psychology minors
I really loved being around so many like-minded people who are just as fascinated with science as I am! The faculty in this department are also super supportive and genuinely cared about helping out whenever I was in need.
Elisar Barbar was my honors mentor and research advisor for the past three years. She was always so supportive and was a huge contributor to my growth as a student while at OSU. Her persistence in curiosity always pushed me to explore different avenues and I am incredibly thankful to have worked under such an inspiring mentor.
Honestly, I just love how beautiful the campus is. My favorite memories consist of walking to class surrounded by flowers in the spring or sitting in a coffee shop doing homework in the winter. I will miss being a part of such a welcoming and comfortable environment!
My favorite course would probably be bacterial molecular genetics (MB310). It consisted of such fascinating material and the professor, Dr. Vega-Thurber, really inspired us to look beyond the course material, which made it all the more interesting!
I will continue working in the ER as a scribe while applying to medical school!
Investigating the various roles of LC8, a human hub protein, in the viral replication cycle.
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The multitude of hands-on learning opportunities that I will definitely be applying throughout my career as a scientist.
Kari van Zee! I'm so grateful for her guidance throughout my undergraduate years. She played a huge part in helping me apply for graduate school and I can't thank her enough for all that she does!
Working as a Peer Advisor and interacting with prospective students during tours!
BB 494 (Biochemistry Lab 2)! I love that the class gives you the freedom of designing and executing experiments on your own time and it gave me a glimpse of what a Ph.D. lab rotation looks like.
In the Fall, I will begin my Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Rochester.
Major: MS Data Analytics
I love analyzing numbers and looking for insights and patterns. The MS in Data Analytics program offered many applications to explore.
Dr. Sarah Emerson was my advisor and was very helpful and responsive throughout my program.
My favorite memories are remembering my family members that attended over the years and that I was fulfilling part of our family legacy.
ST537 - Data visualization was my favorite class in the program, as visualizing data has always been an area of interest. Visualization first got me interested in studying data science further.
I am planning on using my new skills in data analysis to improve my supply chain career. Academically, I am thinking about taking more computer science classes. This is an area that I see growth in. Life plans are to celebrate this graduation and enjoy the summer.
My Capstone project explored predicting the S&P 500.
Major: Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chemistry
I enjoyed taking a wide variety of courses that give insight into how the world around us works, from types of ions formed in inorganic chemistry to gluconeogenesis in biochemistry.
It is hard to choose just one, so I can’t! Margie Haak inspired me to pursue chemistry, Kari van Zee has helped me throughout my education to reach new heights, Andy Karplus instilled a love for the basics of science and Ryan Mehl for getting me into research I truly love.
My favorite memory of my time at OSU is going back to in-person classes in the Fall of 2021. Everyone was genuinely so happy to be doing hard work again, it was so inspiring!
My favorite class was either Experimental Chemistry — it’s where I found out I love working in the wet lab setting — or BB483, where I experienced true collaboration in the pursuit of science on a large scale.
I am planning on continuing research into unnatural amino acids in the Mehl Lab for the foreseeable future, and eventually I will go on to graduate school.
Major: Biochemistry and Biophysics, Neuroscience Option; Chemistry minor
Learning about the neurological pathways that go on in the brain and understanding more about biochemistry/biophysics in general.
My favorite professors have been Drs. Andy Karplus and Kari van Zee.
The therapy dogs coming to dead week in winter 2019 and the sunny days during spring term.
My favorite class so far has been the BB493 / 494 sequence because I got to explore more molecular biology lab techniques.
I'm going to be interning at Zoetis in Fort Collins, CO this summer and then will be moving to Washington, D.C. for a post-bacc fellowship at the NIH for two years before going to medical school.
Major: Physics
The sense of family and unity that I felt within the College of Science is something that will last with me a whole lifetime!
Liz Gire is my favorite mentor and professor! No matter what was happening with me, she was always there to help me and make me feel like I had the ability to succeed!
Having Zoom office hours during the paradigms sequence!
Physics 315 because it is all about how well you can make up numbers.
My plan is to teach the next generation of physics leaders to go out and change the world for the better!
Fermi Estimates and Identifying Dimensional Analysis Strategies.
Major: Microbiology; Chemistry and Public Health minors
I enjoyed learning about infectious diseases and other ways bacteria impacts health as well as meeting with all the professors and advisors in the department.
My CAMP advisor Alexsandra Cortes has been a huge help since the day I stepped on campus. They've not only been a great mentor in regards to career planning but also guiding me through all the other nuances of college.
My favorite memory is being a Peer Advisor here in the College of Science. I've been able to meet and talk with so many wonderful people, both as coworkers and through working with students in need, as well.
I most enjoyed Virology with Dr. Rowe. I think the subject of viruses is super interesting but I also enjoyed Dr. Rowe's teaching style and how the material incorporated not only the mechanisms of viruses but also public health concepts like epidemiology and vaccine development. Overall it was a challenging but ultimately rewarding class.
I plan on applying to the next cycle for dental school, hopefully at OHSU, but we'll see what life has in store for me.
Major: Biochemistry & Biophysics, Advanced Biophysics Option, and Mathematics, Mathematical Biology Option; Chemistry minor
I enjoyed how interdisciplinary my program has been, and how I've gotten to take both quantitative and experimental classes, which complement each other well and have given me a well-rounded education during my time at OSU.
Kari van Zee, my academic advisor in Biochemistry, has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters during my time at OSU. She's been a tremendous supporter of me as a person, and not just as a student, and I'm so thankful for her!
I was president of the Biochemistry Club this year, and I had so much fun bringing everyone back together after remote learning. It's been so fun to implement changes to make our club more supportive of students and to give a sense of community, especially after how isolating remote learning was. I also loved meeting Caesar the No Drama Llama at the Science Success Center!
My favorite class was Biophysics II with Dr. Nyarko. I learned a lot about different biophysics techniques that will be helpful as I start grad school and get to use these techniques in real life.
I'm taking a break this summer to garden, hammock, and not think about homework for the first time since 2017. Then I'm starting my Ph.D. with the Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering program at UCSB this fall!
My capstone class is doing a project on the biochemistry and biophysics of stress, particularly in the college student demographic. I'm also wrapping up research in two labs at OSU - one project is on semantic networks, and the other project is on motor proteins and microtubules.
Major: Honors Physics; Mathematics minor
Physics is really like solving a bunch of puzzles and building a toolbox that you can access at any time to understand the world around you better. I felt that I was challenged in my major to think about the ways I learn, and this allowed me to develop confidence in my own abilities as a physicist and problem solver. I also had the most amazing peers and professors, and together we fostered an environment where it was fun to learn and where we all grew a lot as scientists.
How can I choose? I was so fortunate to be supported and inspired by many of my professors at OSU. I feel especially grateful for the female faculty that went out of their way to make me feel like I belong in science: Janet Tate, Liz Gire, Corinne Manogue, and Rebekah Elliott. They challenged me to grow as a scientist, as a leader, and as a person, and for that I will always be grateful.
I honestly loved going to office hours when we were still in remote learning. Oftentimes, that was when a lot of people in our physics cohort would bond the most, or we'd learn more about our professors and learning assistants. We definitely made the most of the resources we had to connect with each other, and I appreciate that a lot.
I definitely liked PH 315: Physics of Contemporary Challenges because it was my first real exposure to an upper-division physics class, and it made me think about real world problems in a very applicable way.
I am planning to take a gap year to rest, travel, and explore other aspects of my life before applying to a Ph.D. program.
My senior thesis is titled: "Interannual variability of oceanographic conditions on the continental shelf outside of Sermilik Fjord."
Major: Honors Biology, Genetics Option
Being exposed to a wide breadth of the life sciences allowed me to discover my passion and dive deeper into the world of life sciences. The integrative biology courses exposed me to amazing science with talented instructors who shared their knowledge and passion.
Virginia Weis was an amazing mentor who cares deeply about her science and students. Working in her lab while developing my thesis with her allowed me creative freedom to explore the fascinating world of symbiosis. Taking her course‚ “Symbiosis and the Environment,” completely changed my perception on biology. Seeing all the interconnected systems within and between life illuminated my understanding of the value of teamwork can be seen from the micro to the macro level!
My six week internship with the GEMM Lab studying the foraging ecology of gray whales gave me my first exposure to research and the kind of collaborative effort it takes to work in science. And it showed me how much fun research can be!
Symbiosis and the Environment. It spurred my passion for symbiosis and was incredibly interesting learning about all the symbiotic systems we rarely think about at face value.
I currently work at Pacific Biosciences as a Research Associate helping develop a new and exciting Next Gen Sequencing system. I eventually would like to pursue a Ph.D. studying cnidarian-algal symbiosis.
Predicting Protein-Protein Interactions in a Cnidarian Model System. I used computer simulations to gather preliminary data for a possible assay using bioluminescent proteins to investigate innate immunity pathways in cnidarian-algal symbiosis.
Major: Zoology, Pre-Veterinary
The flexibility of the courses you could take to fulfill requirements — you get to essentially focus on the animals you love the most!
Nathan Kirk. During our field trips he would always bring over special specimens he found to show off to the class. No one could ever find the types of things that he found!
Switching my major to Zoology and learning all the different pathways that I could take with it!
Environmental Physiology.
I will continue to work at my job at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for six more months and hopefully go to veterinary school in the next couple of years!
Major: Biology, Chemistry minor
Research opportunities.
Scott Geddes at OSU-Cascades. He makes chemistry feel fun and obtainable for everyone.
OSU-Cascades Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Quantitative Chemical Analysis. I love chemistry labs and the instructor was fun and helpful.
I will be starting my career in non-human primate research at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU in Portland, OR.
Major: Biochemistry and Biophysics, Concentration in Neuroscience
All of life's processes can be described by chemistry and physics.
Sitting down for my first class at OSU.
Macromolecular Structure. It was a class that covered a breadth of material and challenged me to think critically beyond the material to synthesize ideas building off of what we knew.
Medical school.
Major: Honors Biohealth Sciences; Spanish minor
I enjoyed being able to study many different aspects of medicine and the science behind how our body works!
My favorite professor at OSU was Devon Quick because she was always willing to help her students, and she continued to be one of the most supportive and kind professors I've had.
My favorite memory at OSU was being involved in undergraduate research and having the opportunity to present my research at multiple regional conferences.
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology. It involves learning all about how our body works and it has a great teaching team!
After graduation, I plan on working as a medical scribe before applying to medical schools to become a physician.
My thesis was titled "An Analysis of Kisspeptin Exosomes and their Role in the Periphery at the Level of the Bone.”
Major: Chemistry, Chemistry Education Option
I've loved getting to know the other people who are getting their education option. Getting to see other people in your classrooms who are also working towards the same career makes the more difficult classes more bearable.
I have two favorite professors/mentors at OSU, each for their own reason. The first is Margie Haak; I've had many advisors during my time at OSU and none of them have come close to being as great as Margie. She has been a huge encouragement in gaining my degree and in helping me plan for my future. I don't think I could have gotten where I am today without her wisdom. The second person is Cassandra Siler; I was a TA for her a few times and gained so much knowledge about teaching from being in her class. She has been a good representative of how I’d like to be as a teacher.
My favorite memory has got be Rec Night 2019. It was my first introduction to OSU and the first event that I went to with the group of girls that I moved in with. I’ve also greatly enjoyed country line dancing and attending Friday night line dances.
During the following year, I will be working towards acquiring my Master of Science in Education. After this year, I’m going to get a job at a high school as a chemistry/science teacher.
Major: Honors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pre-Med Option; Chemistry minor; Certificate in Medical Humanities
I absolutely loved the biochemistry major because of the subject matter and the faculty. This major is really close-knit and I felt like I got to know my peers and advisors really well. Both biochem and molecular biology are potential areas of focus for me.
I can't pick just one! Kari van Zee was an excellent professor and advisor. She was always available when I had a question and really encouraged me to apply to the NIH. I felt so proud when I got to tell her I accepted a position. Dr. Johns, my thesis mentor and PI, has been especially influential to me. This research experience led me to pursue research in the future. She was always the best mentor for research, academics, and life. Lastly, Dr. Remcho was my first professor here at OSU. His general chemistry class is still one of my favorites and again he is a great mentor when it comes to academics and life decisions.
My favorite memory would be joining the science interest based sorority Sigma Delta Omega. This chapter really gave me my "home away from home" and through the chapter I gained so many lifelong friends, opportunities and leadership experiences.
My favorite class was probably immunology. I really liked the subject matter so much that I am looking into further education in immunology.
I will be working at the NIH as a post-bacc fellow for two years before applying to M.D.-Ph.D. programs!
My senior thesis was on the interactions between canine osteosarcoma and the tumor microenvironment specifically looking at mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes.
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy Option; Chemistry minor
I enjoyed seeing how so many of my classes all built off of each other and helped me to grow my knowledge on certain topics.
Dr. Devon Quick, the advanced anatomy and physiology professor, because she goes above and beyond to form personal relationships with her students and helps in every way possible to make sure her students succeed both now and in the future.
Meeting all of my friends that will for sure be in my life forever.
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology because it was something that I am very interested in and I also had a lot of fun while learning it. It is also a topic that is necessary for my future career as a pharmacist.
I will be attending Oregon State’s Doctor of Pharmacy program in the fall of this year, and hope to become an oncology pharmacist.
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chemistry minor
Meeting people passionate about science — whether that be classmates, staff, or faculty.
Dr. Lisa Truong. She helped get me involved in research and dealt with my many internal life dilemmas.
Coincidentally sitting next to someone from my home state and becoming great friends.
BB315 Molecular Biology Lab — we got to get hands on with the science we were learning!
Hopefully be happy.
“The addition of mammalian cell cultures mitigates toxicity in zebrafish.”
Major: Biology, Pre-Med Option, Certificate in Medical Humanities
I really loved getting to experience a variety of scientific disciplines; even though I've known what field I want to go into for a while now, it's always fun to learn more about other fields and explore my options. Choosing Biology as my major allowed me to explore all the aspects of life, learning first about plants and animals before making my way through human anatomy. This type of broad experience is really why I chose this department.
I've spent the past two years working under Michael Blouin, who has been a wonderful mentor. Being able to work in his lab as an undergrad has given me an immense amount of experience, something that I will forever be grateful for. If you're ever interested in aquatic snails and parasitic diseases, don't hesitate to reach out to Mike — he's one of the best faculty and he really loves what he does.
One of my favorite memories is actually from my freshman year, when I took the honors series of Gen Bio. In one of the lab terms we got to go out to Peavy Arboretum to identify different phyla, which was one of the best experiences I've had. Getting to experience so much nature practically in our own backyard was really awesome and the arboretum has become a new favorite place of mine over the past four years.
The BI 33X/34X series with Devon Quick is honestly the best class I've ever taken. Devon has such a passion for human anatomy which shines through during her lectures. I had gone into the class really scared about trying to learn so much material but I can honestly say that Devon is the best professor I've ever had at OSU. The class was definitely difficult, but I learned more in her course than I've learned in any of my other courses. Highly recommend taking her class or even just chatting with her when you get a chance!
I will be attending Touro University Nevada in Henderson, NV to obtain my Occupational Therapy Doctorate. In 3 short years I will be a practicing Occupational Therapist and I couldn’t be more excited to begin working with unique communities in healthcare.
Major: Chemistry; Writing minor
I enjoyed meeting my closest friends in college within the same major and our study sessions together! It's been such a pleasure working with them and having intellectual conversations together about chemistry while pushing each other to be our best! I could not have made it this far without them!
I worked with Dr. Tiffany Garcia and graduate student Cailin Mackenzie in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife for my URSA Engage research, and I’m immensely grateful to have met them through this opportunity. It was my first time getting to know a professor one-on-one, and both of them went above and beyond, not only seeing me as a student but also treating me as a friend by caring for my well-being as much as cultivating my growth as a scientist. In addition, I would also like to thank Dr. Fred Stevens and Jaewoo Choi in the College of Pharmacy, who were my mentors for the SURE program. It was such a pleasure working in their lab because I had an eye-opening experience seeing chemistry in action outside of the classroom and had the chance to use high-tech instruments which were not widely accessible to everyone. The time, patience, and attentiveness Dr. Stevens and Jaewoo invested into training and mentoring me will always be remembered.
So many memories come to mind, as I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time here at OSU, but one of my favorites was traveling to Texas for a weekend with the Tennis Club to play at a USTA tournament. Every time we travel together, whether it was staying in Portland, Yakima, Tacoma, or Eugene, I’ve always loved spending time with my team and bonding with them; cheering each other on during matches, exploring the city together, having dinner, playing games, or just chatting and laughing late into the night.
I loved taking General Chemistry so much to the point where I wanted to learn it for fun and didn’t even view it as a class anymore. I took it during my first term at OSU and felt a strong calling to change my major to Chemistry, which I did very early on. After my first year, I missed general chemistry so much that I went back to TA for it. Even though chemistry isn’t for everyone, I wanted to share my passion and give back to help students succeed.
I’ll be starting dental school at OHSU this summer! I’m hoping to become a general dentist and advocate for improved access to dental care for underserved communities. I would also like to continue teaching, perhaps working as a professor in dentistry someday. And with my Writing minor, it would be a dream come true if I became a published author!
Major: Honors Chemistry; History minor
I love chemistry and getting to learn about it and experience it in the lab elevates it. I enjoy the subject, but also the experimental lab series.
My favorite professor at OSU is May Nyman. She inspires me, encourages me, and supports me in her lab. She also is a great inorganic chemist.
I loved trying out new places to study on campus. However, I will always remember studying in the rotunda in the library.
My favorite class in the College of Science was Inorganic Chemistry. It was my favorite because I learned so much about the periodic table, as well as the reactivity of lots of different elements.
I plan to go to grad school, earn a Ph.D., and be an inorganic research chemist with a national lab.
The Next Generation of Energy Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Bismuth Carboxylate Coordination Polymers.
Major: Mathematics, Secondary Teaching option; Education minor
The professors I have met.
Dr. Mary Beisiegel. She cares so much about her students and is one of the most understanding and caring professors I have ever met. It is an honor to have been in her class.
My first OSU football game.
MTH 593. I learned so much and got to do so many cool things with imaginary numbers with an amazing professor.
This next year, I am attending grad school at OSU for an MS in Education and I will be student teaching. After I graduate again next spring, I will begin teaching math at either a high school or middle school.
Major: Zoology
The diverse amount of classes I was able to take and meeting people in my field who are also really into animals and biology.
Dr. Jeremy Rose. I’ve taken three classes with him and all three have been engaging and entertaining. He really cares about his students and helping them learn.
Fall football games, walking around campus during the spring/summer, spending time with friends on the weekends, to name a few.
Environmental Physiology and Marine Ecology because I got to learn about topics I was interested in and both teachers were really engaging and passionate about the course.
To hopefully get a job in the zoo industry or wildlife rehab.
Major: Biology, Pre-Med Option; Chemistry minor
I got a lot of hands-on experience in my lab classes.
Professor Vave because he helped me become a better speaker and feel more comfortable sharing my opinions with others.
Crying at the library with all of my friends.
General Microbiology Lab because we got to do a lot of fun experiments with bacteria growth.
Attend sonography school to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Med Option; Spanish minor
I am grateful for the diversity of scientific knowledge I gained and found a particular interest in how microbes influence human health and disease.
Favorite professors were Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber and Dr. Shawn Massoni. Dr. Vega Thurber because Bacterial Molecular Genetics was a challenging class but she made it fun and less daunting. She is so humble, kind, wants her students to succeed and does badass coral reef research. Dr. Massoni because he was my advisor and introduced me to the world of microbial influences on human health and disease.
Favorite memory at OSU has been playing on the women's golf team and sharing so many special moments with my teammates.
Bacterial Pathogenesis because it is a beautiful culmination of cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, microbiology and other subjects I have spent years learning about. Also Dr. Martin Schuster is an awesome professor!
I plan to attend Medical School and become a Physician.
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy Option; Chemistry minor
I enjoyed the diversity and the array of fields of study that I got to explore that was provided in my degree requirements. Despite all the work, it was actually a holistic and worthwhile experience to be able to learn a little bit of everything!
I loved many, but I have two that always come to mind: Marwa Al Khamees and Dr. Dee Denver. Marwa's advice helped pave my way into pharmacy school and I'm forever grateful for her. Dr. Denver was my first research mentor and the invaluable experiences and support he's given me are irreplaceable.
My favorite memory at OSU is getting accepted into OSU’s College of Pharmacy. Everything I've done in my undergrad years at OSU was to get to this point and to see my “dream future” happening … the acceptance encapsulated all the memories that led to that moment.
CH324. It's a rigorous course, but I found myself enjoying the hands-on activity and the atmosphere of being in the lab. It taught me skills beyond just lab equipment use such as being patient, diligent, and disciplined.
Next stop, pharmacy school! #FuturePharmacist #RxBeavers
Major: Biology, Pre-Med Option; Psychology minor
I enjoyed meeting other classmates!
I would have to say Dr. Devon Quick! She makes learning anatomy fun and provides great support!
In general, getting out again and exploring more school events on campus — like the APCC Night Market — this term has been really fun and exciting!
I would have to say Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology! I am fascinated by and enjoy learning about anatomy and physiology. This class pushes me to challenge myself.
I plan to enter professional school and have a career in the medical field.
Major: Honors BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Optometry Option, Medical Humanities Certificate
I enjoyed being able to take a variety of different science classes.
Dr. Patti Sakurai, my thesis mentor, who was also enthusiastic about my thesis topic and was extremely patient with the whole process.
Participating in the different API student organizations on campus!
I really enjoyed taking the PH 20X series. Though it was challenging, it was extremely rewarding and prepared me well for admissions exams. It also taught me that physics can be fun!
I will be attending Pacific University's College of Optometry as part of their Class of 2026.
Asian and Asian American Representations in Contemporary Film.
Major: Chemistry, Education Option
Having the ability to explore all aspects of Chemistry and work towards integrating the topics I learned about in my lecture courses into designing my own lab procedures.
Dr. Chris Pastorek; she allowed me to recognize my full potential while in my lab course and provided support when needed during my journey towards receiving my degree.
I really enjoyed having the chance to take Quantitative Analysis with Dr. Sleszynski and learn the many different ways in which labs can be performed and how critical both precision and accuracy are.
My favorite course was Experimental Chemistry II (CH 463) because I had the chance to design and create my own experimental write-up and follow said procedure to develop my own product. This trial and error technique proved to be quite interesting and very informative!
I plan to continue my time at Oregon State while pursuing a Master’s of Science in Education, and eventually become licensed to teach Chemistry at the high school level.
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computational Biology option; Chemistry minor
It's the right amount of challenging and fun.
Making friends and spending time somewhere beautiful.
The second class in general chemistry. It made me realize that I really enjoyed the major I chose.
I hope to eventually study astrobiology.
Major: BioHealth Sciences
Learning more about microbiology and human biology.
Jeffrey Gautschi, Allison Evans, and Shawn Massoni.
Completing OSU while having a newborn!
Organic Chemistry! It challenged me and made me conform my learning process into something deeper.
Doctor/Surgeon.
Major: Biohealth Sciences, Pre-Med Option; Psychology minor
Learning more about science related to humans.
Devon Quick — she genuinely supports and cares for students and wants us to learn.
My 21st birthday; hanging out with my friends, sunny weather, great friends.
Anatomy and physiology, because of the professor and how the class material applies to my profession.
Medical school, ED surgeon.
Major: Biology, Pre-Vet Option
I enjoyed taking courses surrounding my interest in medicine and animal anatomy/physiology.
My favorite professor at OSU was Dr. Meta Landys, I learned the importance of thinking critically in science and being able to communicate scientific ideas.
My favorite memory at OSU was attending many of the PVMA (pre-vet club) meetings and hearing from a wide variety of guest speakers in the veterinary community.
My favorite class was BI 319. I learned how to communicate in the field of science and advocate for myself and fellow peers in the scientific community.
After graduation, I will be heading to veterinary school at the OSU Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry and Microbiology minors
The tight-knit BB/BMB community.
Kari van Zee! Not only was she our advisor and professor, but she was also our friend :)
Growing and learning alongside my best friends :)
Immunology with Dr. Malcolm Lowry. He was such a passionate professor which made me love learning about immunology!
Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences at OHSU!
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chemistry and Biological Data Sciences minors
Opportunities to do research in the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.
Dr. Maria C. Franco is one of the best teachers I've ever had. She is an amazing scientist that invests heavily in her students to enable their success. She is a mentor in science, society, and life.
Attending Experimental Biology's 2022 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia with the Franco Lab.
Biochemistry lab was my favorite class because it enabled students to work with Genetic Code Expansion technology, which is cutting edge and will only gain momentum within Biochemistry research as a whole.
I will be working at the National Institutes of Health in Washington D.C. under the tutelage of Dr. ZuHang Sheng, a nationally recognized neuronal energy biochemist. Afterwards, I hope to attend graduate school in bioengineering and found a space-related biochemistry startup.
I developed a computational algorithm to visualize protein distribution in confocal fluorescence images of 3D cell culture models.
Major: Biology, Pre-Med Option
The diverse array of topics covered in coursework.
Dr. Scott McFee. His teaching style is so engaging, and he ensures that the content he presents is well supported with relevant studies.
Both trips to Lake Shasta were certainly among my favorite memories of my time here.
Microbiology. The course was challenging, but incredibly interesting. Dr. Massoni is brilliant and a fantastic educator.
I am currently applying to medical school, with the goal of becoming a physician.
Major: BioHealth Sciences
Meeting new people
Devon Quick, she made learning during the pandemic fun.
Going to nationals with my club baseball team.
Anatomy — I enjoyed the content and the people in it were really nice.
Apply for medical school.
Major: Biology, Pre-Med Option; Chemistry minor
I like how it challenged me to think a lot, and how it prepared me for a future in the medical field.
Professors Kathleen Bogart and Michael Blouin were my favorite mentors because they helped me learn a lot about the topics I studied under them, and took time to explain things if I had questions.
Attending club fairs with the DSU and going to events for Real Life Ministries.
Organic chemistry, since it was like learning about nature's legos and it didn't have a lot of math.
I plan to attend Idaho State University's Occupational Therapy master's program and become an occupational therapist.
While I did not have an assigned senior project, I've spent over 150 hours over the past year working on creating a Cultural Center for students with disabilities at OSU. We were able to get funding for two student positions to start a pilot program, and have been working on finding a location and sponsoring department for this project. It's exciting to see progress on such an important project before I graduate!
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy Option, minors in Chemistry and Spanish
I enjoyed learning from and building connections with my professors! They were so helpful and made me more confident in my abilities.
My favorite mentor and professor is Dr. Devon Quick because she is very passionate about her students. As her student, she pushed me as a learner to critically think as well as believe in my knowledge and abilities. I was a Learning Assistant for the BI 33X series with her as well, which helped boost my confidence as a scientist even more.
One of my favorite memories at OSU is joining Sigma Delta Omega due to the wonderful people I have met and memories we made together. In SDO I was able to grow my leadership skills and form lifelong friendships.
BI 33X or MB 416 because the professors were so engaging!
Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at the OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy.
Major: BioHealth Sciences, Pre-Pharmacy Option; Chemistry minor
I enjoyed A&P lab and all the amazing people I met along the way.
Sitting in the sun and drinking lavender lemonade with friends.
I LOVED A&P lab as I found working with the donors to be such a unique experience and an awesome learning tool.
I got accepted to pharmacy school at the University of Colorado!
Major: Chemistry; Mathematics minor
Running experiments in the labs.
Dr. Pastorek for all the hard work she does.
CH 412 covered a lot of really interesting and unique topics.
Attending University of Oregon for an Accelerated Master's program.
Major: Zoology
Meeting people who share similar career paths and interests, and learning from their experiences.
Jennifer Olarra was one of my favorite mentors. She was my academic advisor my first year and every time I came in she remembered everything we talked about and made me feel like it was important to her that I was a part of the community and felt good about my academics.
Having the ability to take classes that were simply of interest to me. It helped me narrow down what I want to do after graduation.
My favorite class would have to be the special topics class that was offered for one term about COVID-19. It was a super small class of only about 12 students so it was very individualized and the professors were amazing. I wish others had the chance to take it now because it was a great experience.
I will be working as a full time veterinary assistant at an emergency animal hospital in Bend, Oregon. I’m also hoping to work with ODFW to branch out and gain experience working with wildlife.
Major: BioHealth Science and Chemistry
I enjoyed collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds but who had a similar end goal as my own. Healthcare requires a deep understanding of how living organisms operate and regulate. Oregon State gave me the opportunity to expand my mind beyond what I thought was possible.
Devon Quick (Integrative Biology) helped re-spark my passion for health care and my service to others. She made Anatomy and Physiology a joy to attend every single day. Dr. Jeff Walker (Chemistry) was another professor that made learning complex subjects understandable. He also has a very soothing voice.
My favorite memory at Oregon State was intramurals with my friends. It allowed me to create relationships that will last a lifetime.
My favorite classes in the College of Science were Anatomy and Physiology, Organic Chemistry, and Microbiology.
I am enrolling in the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program at Parker University in Dallas, TX.
Major: Honors Zoology; Psychology and Chemistry minors
Taking classes that I enjoyed and was passionate about.
Nate Kirk — I took four classes from him and he always was very considerate and cared about his students' learning.
Being an RA in Sackett Hall and getting to know my coworkers there.
Environmental Chemistry.
I will take a gap year then go to grad school.
Comparing noninvasive methods of extracting DNA from degraded wildlife scat.
Major: Zoology
Anything bird!
Dr. Landys is amazing. She has been my professor three times and each time class was outstanding. I learned a lot from her.
I enjoyed collaborating with others from around the world.
Ornithology, I love birds.
MFA! Got into VCFA and will be focusing on science-based art.
Major: Biology; Public Health minor
The Biology major has enthusiastic professors and hands-on lab classes that make learning thought-provoking and filled with wonder.
My favorite professor was Devon E. Quick, who taught Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology. She is so knowledgeable about human biology, and her teaching style allows the massive amount of learning material to be relayed in a coherent, organized way.
I love how much school pride we have at OSU. I will always remember people constantly yelling “'Sco Beavs” and standing at football games in the pouring rain.
One of my top favorite classes has to be Abnormal Psychology. Even though it was an elective for my major, the textbook was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. We learned about causes, treatments, and our limits of understanding abnormality. I highly suggest this class!
After graduation, I plan to take a gap year to volunteer at OHSU and American Red Cross while working as a pharmacy technician. I will use this year to apply to graduate programs, expand my resume, and travel.
Major: Honors Biochemistry and Biophysics; Chemistry minor, Certificate in Medical Humanities
Throughout my major, I most enjoyed developing my understanding of the process of scientific inquiry, and approaching biological problems through chemical and physical lenses. I loved collaborating with my classmates to understand biochemistry!
My favorite mentor at OSU is Dr. Kari Van Zee. When I changed my major to Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kari was the first person who I met in the department. She was super helpful and welcoming, and throughout my time here she has continued to provide academic and professional resources, as well as a supportive presence. When I finally had her as a professor this year, I was inspired to learn!
My favorite memory of my time at OSU happened while taking physics as a freshman. It was spring term, and I had been nervous for this course all year long due to rumors that it was a “weed out” class. I dedicated hours upon hours of work weekly to the class, and over time, I realized that the way I thought about science — and about the world around me — was changing. I was learning to apply problem solving techniques that would be relevant not only in physics, but in later biochemistry-based courses, as well. The realization that I could do this, and that I had the power to change my own systems of thought, gave me the confidence to succeed in physics and in future courses.
My favorite sequence in the College of Science was BB 493 and BB 494. I really enjoyed that our senior biochemistry laboratory courses were self-directed, and we had the chance to work in groups to develop hypotheses, and use scientific methods that we had been learning about throughout college!
I plan to work in research for 2-3 years while strengthening my application for M.D.-Ph.D. programs.
I worked in the lab of Dr. Elain Fu within the school of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, and my thesis is titled, “Characterization and Functionalization of Fabric for use in an Immunoassay.” Single-use paper-based microfluidic tests, like the common pregnancy test or rapid COVID-19 test, are dependent on paper. For my thesis, I contributed to work toward the development of a wearable-format test for which a more durable substrate was required: fabric.
Major: BioHealth Sciences; Chemistry and Horticulture minors
The students and faculty.
Dr. Ryan Contreras.
Winning the silver bracket in the OSU club tennis tournament.
MB 302 and MB 303.
Pursue an MS in Horticulture.
Major: Biology Major; Asian Languages and Culture minor, concentration in Japanese
I loved the diversity of classes I got to take!
I really appreciate Jen Olarra for being a mentor!
Volunteering for studies put on by graduate students!
Z 473: Herpetology!
Park Ranger or Academic Advisor!
Major: Biology, Pre-Vet Option
Learning the biological features of organisms.
Dr. Bob from vertebrate biology! His enthusiasm about vertebrates poured out in lecture making them both educational and fun.
Working with real specimens in the vertebrate biology lab!
Molecular biology lab! Because of all the amazing microscopic organisms we got to study!
Applying to Veterinary School to become a large animal veterinarian.
