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A finger in a blue glove points to honey bees in a hive.
Microbiology

Microbiologist joins collaborative effort to protect honey bees in Oregon

Although having a box of 300 buzzing bees in the corner of her laboratory is uncharted territory for Maude David, who typically works with humans, she maintains a steadfast belief that science moves forward through interdisciplinary teams.

A glossy Chinook salmon swims against the current in a shallow stream.
News

Researchers discover vitamin that may offer hope for salmon suffering thiamine deficiency disease

Oregon State University researchers have discovered vitamin B1 produced by microbes in rivers, findings that may offer hope for vitamin-deficient salmon populations.

Elizaveta Zhivaya in a lab wearing a lab coat holding a pipette.
Students

From architecture to biochemistry: ‘Life is too short to do something you don’t like.’

International student Elizaveta Zhivaya found her niche in microbiome research and will start a Ph.D. in neuroscience next year.

Rowan Nelson standing in front of a mural.
Students

Resilient biochemistry and molecular biology graduate forges her own identity

Graduating senior Rowan Nelson's goal is to use microbiome research to find accessible solutions for people with chronic mental health issues.

Gut microbiome close-in
Research

Research innovation and entrepreneurship combine to address critical global challenges

Path-breaking innovations from the College of Science at Oregon State University hold answers to critical problems in the environment, energy and healthcare.

Ph.D. student and researcher Christine Tataru
Graduate students

Martin-O’Neill fellow Christine Tataru uses computers to decode our guts

Christine Tataru receives the 2021-22 Larry W. Martin & Joyce B. O’Neill Endowed Fellowship for her work in computational modeling that seeks to understand how gut microbiomes impact their human hosts’ health. She develops tools and frameworks to advance microbiome research, then uses these tools to explore gut-brain axis phenomenon.

Dr. Maude David sitting at her desk
Faculty and Staff

Mentoring and the microbiome: OSU microbiologist Maude David wins Breaking Barriers Award in Education

Assistant professor of microbiology Maude David received the 2020 Breaking Barriers Award in Education from the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, which honors excellent and high impact in teaching and mentoring that has paved the way for gender equity in higher education.

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.

Steve Giovannoni looking into microscope in lab.
News

Gut bacteria associated with animal-based diet may mitigate risk of cardiovascular disease

Researchers have found that a type of common gut bacteria sometimes associated with inflammation, abscesses, bowel disease and cancer has a major silver lining: It seems to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Thomas Sharpton working in lab with student
Biomedical Science

Kindergartners’ behavior, socioeconomic risk linked to gut microbiome composition, function

A study of early school-aged children shows a connection between the bacteria in their gut and their behavior, and that parents play a key role in their kids’ microbiome beyond the food they provide.

hops on branch
Biochemistry & Biophysics

Hops compounds help with metabolic syndrome while reducing microbiome diversity

Results from the lab of biochemist Adrian Gombart show that each of the hops compounds decreased the amount and diversity of microbes and reduced inflammation leading to improved metabolism.

bacteria in pile of Petri dishes
Faculty and Staff

Research deepens understanding of gut bacteria’s connections to human health, disease

Microbiologists at Oregon State University have made an important advance in understanding the roles that gut bacteria play in human health.