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Sunflower sea star
Marine Science

Sea star listed as critically endangered following research by OSU marine ecologist

The iconic sunflower sea star has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature following a groundbreaking population study led by Oregon State University and The Nature Conservancy.

Dog standing at shoreline in Puget Sound at Edmond's Wash.
Marine Science

Leadership by Oregon State helps 14 nations commit to sustainable ocean management by 2025

Leaders of 14 major maritime nations announced their commitment to achieve 100% sustainable ocean management of their national waters by 2025, acting on recommendations of a group of global experts co-chaired by OSU marine ecologist Jane Lubchenco.

Corals along seafloor in Lizard Island.
Research

Scientists awarded grant to investigate how microbiomes can help species withstand climate change

A pivotal National Science Foundation award will enable Oregon State scientists to investigate how microbes influence their wildlife host’s sensitivity and resilience to disruptive changes in the natural environment.

Aerial shot of coral reef.
Marine Science

Oregon State University scientists shed new light on viruses' role in coral bleaching

Scientists at Oregon State University have shown that viral infection is involved in coral bleaching – the breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between corals and the algae they rely on for energy.

Scuba diver collecting samples on shallow sea floor in Antarctica.
Marine Science

Discovery of first active seep in Antarctica provides new understanding of methane cycle

The discovery of the first active methane seep in Antarctica is providing scientists new understanding of the methane cycle and the role methane found in this region may play in warming the planet.

A diagram of biobutanol pouring over a fake, plastic chemistry molecule.
Chemistry

Chemist makes key advance toward production of important biofuel

An international research collaboration, led by Kyriakos Stylianou, an assistant professor of chemistry at Oregon State University, has taken an important step toward the commercially viable manufacture of biobutanol, an alcohol whose strong potential as a fuel for gasoline-powered engines could pave the path away from fossil fuels. The researchers are now looking to partner with industry to try to scale up the separation method using the new metal organic framework, says Stylianou, the study’s corresponding author. If it scales well, it could be an important milestone on the road toward non-reliance on fossil fuels.

Jerri Bartholomew
Microbiology

Recognition for improving health of Pacific salmon

Jerri Bartholomew, the Emile F. Pernot Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology was selected as a 2019 Fellow of the American Fisheries Society, the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing fisheries science and conserving fisheries resources.

Researchers take a phytoplankton sample on an OSU research vessel.
Microbiology

Smaller than expected phytoplankton may mean less carbon sequestered at sea bottom

For the first time, scientists have taken a winter sampling of phytoplankton in the North Atlantic. The results revealed that the carbon-absorbing cells were smaller than what scientists expected, meaning a key weapon in the fight against excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may not be as powerful as previously believed.

Mathematics graduate student Ruby (Ali) Chick
Graduate students

Mathematics graduate student explores marine systems through an interdisciplinary lens

Mathematics graduate student Ruby Chick pursues interdisciplinary research on microplastics through the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program at Oregon State University.

Sally Hacker and a graduate student study beach grasses along the Pacific Northwest coast
Faculty and Staff

Can a new super beach grass save our coastal dunes?

Integrative Biology Professor Sally Hacker is one of five Oregon Sea Grant omnibus funding recipients. She will study a new hybrid super beachgrass along coastal dunes in the Pacific Northwest.

Bull Kelp floating on ocean surface
Integrative Biology

Satellite data boosts understanding of climate change’s effects on kelp

Tapping into 35 years of satellite imagery, researchers at Oregon State University have dramatically enlarged the database regarding how climate change is affecting kelps, near-shore seaweeds that provide food and shelter for fish and protect coastlines from wave damage.

Bo Sun working in physics lab with student
Faculty and Staff

Scientists garner innovation awards for cancer and materials research

The Science Research and Innovation Seed awards were given to four multidisciplinary research teams working on cancer diagnostics and materials science.