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Physics student Diego Menendez leans on a large white column at Memorial Union Hall at Oregon State University. He has his arms crossed in front of him and he smiles at the camera. The hall behind him stretches on with a series of large white columns.
Diversity in Science

Physics student dedicated to increasing access to STEM

Phyisics student Diego Menendez will begin classes for his final year at Oregon State during Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, right after his last LSAMP bridges experience as a program mentor. When asked what Hispanic Heritage Month means to him, he said, “I feel like during that month and other identity-based celebration months, people are just so proud of where they come from, who they are, and their lineage, their people, their families. I love that. I'm a very proud Cuban all the time.”

Joey Takach posing with a smile in front of leafy green bushes.
Physics

Edtech-inspired physics and mathematics senior lands a spot at top-tier university

A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away — in Lake Oswego, Oregon — Joey Takach ordered a bunch of soundboards, accelerometers and other metal parts online.

A woman with shoulder-length hair wears an earset microphone and presents to an unseen audience. Light focuses on her as stands in front of a soft orange-pink gradient.
Student Success

Black holes devour light — except when they create it, finds physics undergrad

When physics senior Phia Morton flew to Italy to do research, she couldn’t have imagined what she’d find hidden in the stars: the first strong candidate of a black hole merger emitting light. This discovery deepens knowledge on the cosmic structures and may even give a new opinion on how quickly the universe is expanding.

Madalyn Gragg works in a lab with Ethan Minot
Students

Physics major, Madalyn Gragg, receives prestigious Goldwater scholarship

A College of Science undergraduate student has been selected as a 2024 Goldwater Scholar, the nation's top award for sophomores and juniors studying science, engineering or mathematics.

Sullivan Bailey-Darland in front of an urban backdrop.
Students

A ‘limitless degree’: Physics senior pushes the boundaries of his field

How does DNA move? How do cells communicate with each other? When it comes to these questions, it’s easy to think of molecular biologists behind the words. But as physics and mathematics senior Sullivan “Sully” Bailey-Darland knows, there are many more voices asking.

Abbie Glickman wearing graduation cap
Students

An outstanding physics education powered by undergraduate research

Native to Edmonds, Washington, graduating senior Abbie Glickman credits her high school physics teacher for helping her see how she could apply mathematical concepts to understand the physical world around her. “When I took physics the first time, he made sure that I knew that I belonged in physics,” she said.

Digital image of cancer cells migrating.
Research

Cancer cells change shape, move to invade different types of tissue, OSU research shows

Research from the Department of Physics has shed new light on the way malignant cells change their shape and migration techniques to invade different types of tissue.

Oregon State physics graduate with daughter amid tulips.
Students

From a construction job to Hewlett Packard, a physics major takes an unconventional path to reach his goals

Rohal Kakepoto valued the expertise of the faculty and the intimate and supportive atmosphere of the physics department. Like many of Oregon State physics graduates, Kakepoto landed a job as an engineer at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis, which he will start right before graduation.

Mai Sakuragi in front of a coastal view
Students

Succeeding in physics with determination and focus after a nontraditional start

If there is one thing that Mai Sakuragi has learned during her time at Oregon State University, it is that, with passion and hard work, even seemingly impossible goals can be achieved.

Tyler Parsotan in front of American flag and blue backdrop
Physics

Two physics graduate students win 2019 NASA grants

Two College of Science graduate students have received prestigious NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology awards in 2019.

Warren Washington in office space
Alumni and Friends

Eminent climate scientist wins Lifetime Achievement in Science Award

Pioneering climate scientist and alumnus Warren Washington to present the 2019 Distinguished Lecture on October 11, 2019.

Ryan Tollefsen in front of Kidder Hall
Students

Goldwater scholar is “a physicist to his fingertips”

Honors physics and mathematics student Ryan Tollefsen received a 2019 Goldwater award. He was one of four OSU students selected for the prestigious award.