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Two rhinoceroses striding out of a river.
Integrative Biology

New Nepal Study Abroad: Explore the interweaving of culture and biology

For the second time, a three-week study abroad opportunity in Nepal is available for students to experience. Led by Dee Denver, head of the Department of Integrative Biology, the Intersections of Biodiversity and Buddhist Cultures in Nepal course promises a trek through the Himalayas, excursions in lowland jungles, and time spent in centuries-old monasteries.

A woman holds a shark and shines a flashlight into it in a laboratory.
Students

Goldwater scholar modernizes shark research with digital art

Natalie Donato, a third-year honors biology student, is submerged in the thrilling world of sharks. On a typical day at Oregon State University, this nationally recognized Goldwater scholar can be found creating 3D models of shark heads in a research lab and recently designed Oregon’s new shark license plate.

The lower Colorado River in the Grand Canyon is a rich environment
Research

Transforming river health, ecology, seaweed, and pest control: Revolutionary SciRIS research

Founded in 2018, SciRIS funds interdisciplinary research projects that aim to create meaningful societal impact. This year, biologist David Lytle’s project focuses on understanding the complex interactions between multiple biotic components, including food base, disease landscape and microbiome in the lower Colorado River, including the Grand Canyon.

A man in a white button-up gestures to molecular art on a table, explaining it to onlooking students.
Teaching Innovation

Students bake, sculpt and stitch molecular structures to life in Protein Portraits colloquium

Taught by biochemistry and biophysics professor Phil McFadden, the Honors colloquium course Protein Portraits offers a uniquely artistic perspective on biomolecules.

A closeup of a scientist sorting seeds for a computer to analyze
Statistics

Helping Oregon farmers thrive with smarter seed testing solutions

A multidisciplinary research group is combining expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, computer science, statistics and crop science to create a modern solution for an outdated system.

A woman with short hair stands with arms crossed in front of a green nature background.
Faculty and Staff

Materials scientist Janet Tate wins Lifetime Achievement in Science Award

Although time is an enemy for some, Janet Tate used it to leave a lasting mark on physics curriculum, students, and the field of thin-film semiconductors, earning her the 2024 Lifetime Achievement in Science Award from the College of Science.

Cattle on rangeland.
Microbiology

Surf and Turf: Oregon State researchers to study feeding seaweed to cattle

Algal physiologist James Fox is a co-investigator on a $1 million study examining the impact of adding seaweed to the diets of beef cattle as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

David Ji works in a chemistry lab wearing gloves in a tank.
Chemistry

Harnessing the power of water: Oregon State chemist joins DOE-funded battery consortium

In the pursuit of large-scale, reliable, safe, environmentally sustainable and affordable electricity storage, chemist Xiulei “David” Ji is part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Gilbert Hall on Oregon State University Corvallis. A brick building with "Chemistry" on the front.
Chemistry

Chemist uncovers better way to produce green hydrogen

Researchers from the College of Science, including graduate students, have developed a material that shows a remarkable ability to convert sunlight and water into clean energy.

AJ Damiana and Alysia Vrailas-Mortimer pose next to Damiana's yellow, green, red, and blue painting, split between two frames.
Students

How painting cellular aging made this biochemistry student a better scientist

Honors biochemistry and molecular biology student AJ Damiana recently finished a year-long fellowship through the new PRAx Center. Her experience culminated in a piece of art depicting the hallmarks of cellular aging. She was also honored to accept the assistant editorship at Beaver’s Digest at the same time.

Two scientists use equipment in the GCE4All lab.
Biochemistry & Biophysics

GCE4ALL leads global advancements in genetic code expansion for advanced therapies

For billions of years, all life on Earth, from tadpoles to humans, have relied on the same 20 amino acids to build proteins — the fundamental building blocks of life. But what if that list of fundamental amino acids was expanded to include any chemical ability of our choosing? What new potential could be unlocked?

Two people stand in front of buildings.
Research

Immune systems for cities: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Cities are like organisms — they need immune systems. Viruses can reproduce rapidly, taking over cells and turning them into viral factories within hours. Individuals' immune systems need to rise to the challenge, but what happens when they can't, and a whole population gets sick?