VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1 • FALL 2024 COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Contents Passion and Purpose News from the College 2 Making Us Proud Just launched: Our newest alumni 4 Innovating Health Pushing biotech and medicine into the future 6 By All and For All Science equity and inclusion 10 Discover Research breakthroughs and highlights 12 2 4 10 12 On the Cover Cell signaling is a vital part of how cells function, both healthy and diseased, and the protein “14-3-3” regulates many of those processes. Using technologies developed by the GCE4All Center, Oregon State researchers were able to engineer a modification into 14-3-3 that is often found in diseased cells, revealing how it contributes to the dysregulation of dozens of signaling systems and to the onset of disease. Learn more about how GCE4All is expanding the genetic code and creating more tools for the benefit of human health on p. 6. Protein structure by GCE4All Associate Director Rick Cooley. Editor Tamara Cissna Writers Hannah Ashton Kaitlyn Hornbuckle Elana Roldan Designer Sharon Betterton College of Science Eleanor Feingold, Dean Publisher College of Science 128 Kidder Hall Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 FALL 2024
We live and work on ancestral land. Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon is located within the traditional homelands of the Marys River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. Indigenous people are valued, contributing members of the OSU community and represent multiple sovereign tribes among students, faculty, staff and alumni. Her dedication to social justice, a guiding principle in the College of Science, reflects her perception that enhancing inclusion is not merely a social concern but also a scientific one. She makes her commitment clear: “Advancing knowledge and technology must go hand in hand with promoting equity — in alignment with the university’s plan for shared prosperity. I see no purpose in dedicating my life to advancing technology if it doesn’t improve the well-being of as many people as possible,” she said. Her research focuses on the genetics of cleft lip and palate, Alzheimer’s disease and the interaction between environmental contaminants and reproductive processes in women. She is also passionate about teaching, especially data science and science communication, and improving student success and science education. “Improving STEM education is so critical in the world right now, and many creative initiatives are happening here. I am excited about what OSU is doing in those areas and the opportunities to be a part of it,” she said. Feingold began her academic journey at MIT, where she designed her own major by integrating writing, mathematics and public policy. She then pursued a Ph.D. in statistics at Stanford — an educational path driven by her dedication to bridging knowledge and real-world change. She is fascinated by the College’s wide-ranging research, which spans from fundamental inquiries about how life and the universe work to community-engaged research addressing immediate and future challenges. The College inspires solutions to society’s greatest challenges — creating climate change solutions, improving animal and human health through data science, developing sustainable materials, and creating new insights and tools to improve learning. Feingold is passionate about collaborating with the faculty and students at Oregon State to harness science as a force for good. “At the grassroots level, we aim to ensure that technological and scientific progress aligns with ethical and egalitarian goals. This involves education and pursuing research that has a positive impact on both individuals and communities,” she said. Dean Eleanor Feingold has joined Oregon State University at a time filled with possibilities, bringing significant leadership experience and a passion for creating positive change in the world. Starting her tenure as College of Science dean at the launch of “Prosperity Widely Shared: The Oregon State Plan,” Feingold plays a vital role in realizing the university’s vision to create big solutions from big discoveries. Working together with scientists, entrepreneurs and our community, she aims to harness the power of Team Science to make the world a healthier and more equitable place. A statistical geneticist, Feingold understands the power of science to shape a better future for individuals and communities. At the University of Pittsburgh, she played a key role in building new degree programs in high-impact scientific and public health fields. Meet the Dean Eleanor Feingold: A new leader to steward Science IMPACT FALL 2024 1
Goldwater Scholar Madalyn Gragg’s research interests include organic semiconductors and photonics. Another Goldwater Scholar effecting change in the world Madalyn Riana Gragg of Wamic, Oregon, an Honors College student majoring in applied physics and mechanical engineering, is one of three recent OSU students awarded the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship. Gragg, minoring in materials science, researches the magnetoptoelectronic properties of functionalized acenes, a type of singlet fission material. As a Goldwater Scholar, she intends to pursue a doctorate in chemical physics and is dedicated to uncovering novel physical properties within optoelectronic materials. Her goal is to develop environmentallyfriendly electronics. Science majors like Gragg have now secured a total of 28 Goldwater scholarships — the most of any College at OSU to date. New tech to support fishers’ livelihood and cultural roles College of Science researchers are advancing the design and use of oxygen monitoring sensors for fishing pots to inform the fishing industry about changing ocean conditions. The project, in collaboration with industry and Tribal partners, is funded by a threeyear, $1.2 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It merges ecological monitoring with practical applications, enhancing both environmental conservation and economic viability for local fishing businesses. Francis Chan, a marine ecologist and director of the Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, has an instrumental role in the development of dissolved oxygen sensors. Initially developed to study hypoxia’s effects on crabbing in the Pacific Northwest, the sensors have proven effective for fisheries managers and crabbers. NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE Passion and Purpose Francis Chan 2 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Hypoxia, a low-oxygen condition, threatens marine life and impacts ecosystems and the economy, including tourism and seafood industries. Chan’s work over the past decade has helped crabbers avoid hypoxic dead zones. This project aims to make these sensors as common as fish finders, providing fishers with detailed, daily maps of hypoxic areas. Driving excellence in physics education Being a brilliant scientist doesn’t always translate to effective teaching. Many university physics professors need training in pedagogy, according to David A. Craig, associate department head of physics at Oregon State University. To address this, Craig and the American Physical Society (APS) created an institute dedicated to training physics faculty in teaching and leadership. The institute provides a supportive network of physicists devoted to improving physics education nationally. This initiative has positively impacted hundreds of physicist professors, promoting active engagement and collaboration in learning and teaching. Honoring a ground-breaking computational scientist Małgorzata Peszyńska, a global leader in mathematical and computational modeling, was appointed a University Distinguished Professor, OSU’s highest academic honor. Renowned for her exploration of the physical world through the prism of mathematics and computation, Peszyńska’s research has delivered profound insights and applications in environmental conservation and natural resource management. Her expertise spans complex systems such as porous media dynamics and climate change impacts. Her team specializes in the mathematical modeling and computational solution of flows through porous media and their geological applications, including the effects of global warming on methane locked in permafrost. The Joel Davis Endowed Faculty Scholar and an AAA Fellow, Peszyńska relishes the enduring value of lifelong learning and the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration — with its potential to shape the future. Expanding access to high-quality learning Lugging around an expensive textbook is no student’s dream. With the free, online “Anatomy and Physiology” textbook developed by instructors Devon Quick, Lindsay Biga and Staci Bronson, that burden has been lifted not just for 800 OSU students who save about $100K each year, but also for students from around the world. Released last year, the book has garnered 2.7 million views and rocketed to the second-most-viewed textbook on publishing platform Pressbooks. It garnered views from as far as Australia, Ghana and India, open.oregonstate.education widening access to quality educational content on a global scale. “It’s so wonderful to imagine that there are people all over the world who have increased their understanding of how their bodies work because of this,” said Quick, senior instructor II within the Department of Integrative Biology. “I never imagined a world like this, where millions of humans across the globe would be able to have authoritative, accurate information about the way the human body works …It feels like it’s helping meet the mission of the institution to serve all of Oregon – not just OSU, but all of Oregon and the world.” Małgorzata Peszyńska David Craig IMPACT FALL 2024 3
Congratulations Class of 2024! Top, left to right: Marua, Bereket and Samantha. Middle: Ryan and Evan. Bottom: Catherine, Joey and Mary. After years of hustling as undergraduates, 2024’s graduating class now joins 200,000+ Oregon Staters worldwide as alumni. Their achievements at Oregon State are glimpses into the kind of downs as she adjusted to a second language and a different part of the world, but the connections she found on campus made all the difference. She’ll now be attending New York University in the fall and aims to someday improve science education across the globe. “My ultimate goal is to promote and develop scientific facilities in Kazakhstan and beyond,” she said. impact they’ll have on the world as scientists in their diverse fields. Their persistence is admirable. Their possibilities remain endless. When Marua Bekbossyn (Chemistry, ’24) left her home in Almaty, Kazakhstan to pursue chemistry at Oregon State, perseverance was her greatest ally. There were plenty of ups and Thinkers and Doers JUST LAUNCHED: OUR NEWEST ALUMNI 4 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Six years ago, Bereket Berhanu (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ’24) arrived in the United States knowing two words in English: “No” and “Yes.” In June, Bereket graduated with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology along with two minors. The healthcare struggles he witnessed growing up in Ethiopia fueled a desire to uplift his community through quality medical care. Starting optometry school at a toptier program in California, he plans to eventually return to Ethiopia to open his own practice. “I am determined to make a difference in underserved areas, bridging gaps and advocating for meaningful change,” Bereket said. Despite the rocky start she had at her first university, Samantha Crockett (Zoology, ’24) found a perfect fit in Oregon State’s Ecampus zoology program. The program’s flexibility enabled her to study from her home in Los Angeles while also pursuing local opportunities, like working at the California Wildlife Center. Spending last summer at Hatfield Marine Science Center further solidified her passion for the natural world’s lively and diverse residents. Samantha’s experiences and undergraduate studies have inspired her to explore her field in all its forms. “It pushed me to expand my horizons in zoology,” she said. For alumnus Ryan Holzschuh (Mathematics, ’24), falling in love with numbers didn’t truly happen until he arrived at Oregon State. His professors brought algebra, physics and statistics to life, which let Ryan’s mathematical passion flourish. Now graduated with a minor in actuarial science, he moved to Boston University where he will continue to follow numbers to whatever destination they take him, possibly a career as a quantitative analyst. “I like how math has one answer,” he said. “I like how you go from Point A to Point B, and there are different ways to go, but you’re always going to get to Point B.” Evan Park (Chemistry, ’24) has taken home a gold medal in rowing and, since this last spring, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Although she’d pursued chemistry before college, Evan had never even touched an oar until the OSU rowing team invited students to learn more about the sport. She has since taken the rowing world by storm while advocating for studentathletes and balancing a full STEM course load. “It’s been a lot of work, but I’m proud of it,” she said. Evan plans to attend graduate school at the University of Washington. Catherine Sterrett (Microbiology, ’24) always felt called to a career in medicine. But after she found herself in a hospital as a patient, her greatest motivation became bringing humanity into medicine. The varying quality of care she received compelled her to imbue compassion into her own future experiences with patients. “I like being able to cultivate that relationship with people and build that trust,” she said. Theoretical physics isn’t a mainstay of Star Wars, so Joey Takach (Physics and Mathematics, ’24) turned his attention from model lightsabers to quantum field theories. Inspired by the sci-fi franchise, he began exploring science when he was young and followed this passion all the way to college as a physics and mathematics student. Since graduating in the spring, he has started to pursue a Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, aiming to teach and conduct research in particle physics and phenomenology. “I love sharing the experience of learning something for the first time. It’s motivating, fulfilling and fun,” he said. Mary Tunstall (Data Analytics, ’24) dove into the Ecampus data analytics master’s program at Oregon State while working remotely as a resort OSU lauds a genomics pioneer’s deep impact Michael Waterman (Mathematics ’64, ’66), received an honorary doctorate at OSU’s 2024 commencement. This honor recognizes his impact as an internationally celebrated mathematician and biologist, an eminent figure in bioinformatics, a trailblazer in computational biology and an architect of the Human Genome Project, which advanced genomics and deepened the world’s understanding of life’s genetic foundation. Serving on the College of Science Board of Advisors, Waterman received the College’s Lifetime Achievement in Science Award in 2020. He has created an endowed scholarship for College of Science students. hotel director. Her interest in the field piqued when she began comparing survival rates and treatment impact for primary biliary cholangitis, shifting her focus from hospitality to applied survival analysis. The experience showed her the immense potential hidden in raw data at her fingertips. “It’s been a really eye-opening experience — I don’t know a lot about the disease and what causes it, but I can look at this data set and make recommendations that might be better for patients,” she said. IMPACT FALL 2024 5
Pushing biotech and medicine into the future Innovating Health
Oregon State is at the forefront of transformative discoveries and innovations that address global challenges, a central goal of the university’s new strategic plan, “Prosperity Widely Shared.” Through pioneering research, innovative teaching and public engagement, the College of Science is making significant strides in building a brighter future. Our scientists are collaborating across disciplines, industries and communities to create breakthroughs in integrated health and biotechnology — solutions that hold immense potential to improve healthcare, address critical health issues and revolutionize medicine. Expanding genetic code to unlock advanced therapeutics For billions of years, Earth’s organisms have used the same 20 amino acids to build proteins — the fundamental building blocks of life. But what if that list was expanded? Imagine a future where researchers can design proteins with unprecedented precision, creating targeted therapies for diseases like cancer or developing advanced diagnostic tools that can detect conditions at their earliest stages. This is the exciting potential waiting to be unlocked through pioneering research at Oregon State, where scientists are expanding available amino acids beyond the standard 20 and then put them to work. OSU’s Genetic Code Expansion Center (GCE4All) is the world’s first center dedicated to optimizing, developing and disseminating groundbreaking genetic code expansion technologies. These technologies allow for the incorporation of non-standard amino acids into proteins, thereby expanding the genetic code. Bolstered by significant grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the center is positioned to have a strong global impact, driving innovation across various fields of science and medicine. Led by director Ryan Mehl, GCE4All was also selected as one of 11 national pilot projects to receive $234K from the NobleReach Foundation. In partnership with NSF, NobleReach funding accelerates the translation of NSF-funded research into biotechnologies and bio-inspired designs with significant commercial and societal impacts. One of the center’s current projects is developing a labeling system for live cells to advance molecularlevel studies in research, medicine and biotechnology. The center also received funding from the National Institutes of Health and Agilent Scientific Instruments for a first-of-its-kind mass spectrometer, a crucial tool for validating GCE technology. This spectrometer, along with other instruments produced by Agilent, further validate and enhance GCE technologies. Revolutionizing protein research and therapeutics GCE4All, launched in 2022 as an NIH Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination Center, is funded for $5.6M over five years. Mehl and the NIH anticipate that enhancing GCE tools’ reliability and usability will drive significant research discoveries. “All life on the planet uses the same amino acids. Now, instead of limiting ourselves, we can introduce fundamentally new amino acids and chemistry into proteins,” Mehl said. “It’s a toolkit for meticulous protein study and manipulation for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.” Standard amino acids (left, light blue) form the building blocks of all life on earth — but non-standard amino acids (left, yellow) can be placed into proteins to learn more about how those proteins function, and for practical applications like targeted therapeutics. This process, genetic code expansion, is the focus of Biochemist Ryan Mehl’s research and the GCE4All Center. IMPACT FALL 2024 7
GCE4All tools are shared widely to facilitate wider collaborations in understanding health-related processes like pain, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s and more. Improved technologies could lead to more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests and better therapeutics. For instance, in cancer diagnosis and imaging, GCE enables the development of proteins engineered to bind specifically to cancer cells. These proteins can be linked to radioactive chemicals, which serve as imaging agents that allow precise visualization of cancer cells within the body. GCE provides clean and fast attachment chemistry, ensuring the imaging agent can be quickly attached, opening access to people with diverse cancers. Similarly, GCE could revolutionize diabetes treatment by allowing for the direct monitoring of insulin levels, which are typically at low levels and short-lived in the body. Attaching monitoring agents to insulin using GCE, treatment can become more accurate and safer. “Genetic code expansion is a gateway to better science and medicine. I couldn’t access all the GCE potential alone, but I can train as many people as possible,” Mehl said. To achieve this, GCE4All offers online training, hands-on workshops, a discussion board and conferences to foster community engagement among developers, users and prospective users. Partnering with Addgene, a nonprofit plasmid repository, GCE4All offers a PermaPhos Kit for academics and nonprofit organizations. The kit contains various substances needed to produce genetically engineered recombinant proteins with directly encoded phosphoserine, bypassing the need for special enzymes called kinases. By installing these substitute amino acids, the proteins can be used to study the phosphoserine modification effects on cell signaling, protein function and protein interactions. Since 2022, GCE4All has received 420 global requests for its Addgene resources and plans to expand its kit offerings. Expanding GCE impact through hands-on learning Education is central to GCE4All’s mission because greater access will transform future science. Since arriving in Corvallis in 2011, Mehl has overseen a lab course where undergraduates learn GCE technology for protein synthesis. Last year, Mehl and Kari Van Zee, associate head of Biochemistry and Biophysics, revamped the molecular techniques lab course, shifting from making modified proteins to building new genetic code expansion tools with students. “Our seniors love the ability to tackle their own ideas. It’s empowering, making new proteins and doing studies that have never been done before giving them a taste of real cutting-edge science,” Mehl said. “Having a foundation in fundamentally new technology provides students a huge leg up in the future,” Mehl said. “We are Statistician Katherine McLaughlin (left) and ecologist Benjamin Dalziel (right) combine mathematics, communications and engineering to model, predict, identify, track and mitigate future pandemics. 8 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
developing new GCE technology needed by industry and also training students in GCE — then we match them up so they can explore this space together.” As the center continues to expand regular workshops and develop further partnerships with startup biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, Mehl and collaborators are fulfilling their dream of making GCE accessible to all. An ‘immune system’ for cities As the early days of the pandemic demonstrated, cities can struggle to stop the momentum of a spreading disease. Armed with community input and lessons learned over the past four years, a multidisciplinary team of researchers at OSU is designing city-scale feedback loops to act as a kind of immune system for a population as a whole. “We believe future cities will give people access to real-time local data on infection risk,” said ecologist Benjamin Dalziel, project leader. “You’ll be able to use that information in your daily life, like how you use a weather report. The more people do that, the slower the spread will be.” The project is supported by $1M from the NSF through its Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention Program and began in 2022 with workshops in cities across Oregon. “One key that communities stressed was the importance of sharing timely data between different groups and organizations — much like how different systems in the body communicate to mount an immune response,” said team member Katherine McLaughlin, an applied statistician. The researchers aim to establish a center at OSU that combines mathematical and computational modeling with engineering, public health and public engagement. The Center for Pandemic-Resilient Cities will prototype city-scale feedback loops that link environmental monitoring with epidemic forecasting and communication, so responders won’t have to play catchup after an outbreak. “Human systems, like cities, can be very good at making things ‘go viral,’” Dalziel said. “Using mathematics, engineering and community engagement, we can develop systems that make helpful responses go viral, too.” Unraveling the gut-brain connection Microbiologist Maude David studies the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain, focusing on decoding the microbiome’s impact on human health. Her research addresses critical gaps in understanding the mechanisms through which gut microbes influence neurological outcomes in brain function and behavior, particularly concerning Autism Spectrum Disorder and anxiety. Her contributions to bioinformatics and microbial ecology include developing new computational tools for handling large-scale sequencing data, which are invaluable in advancing our understanding of microbial communities in health and disease. This work could lead to new therapeutic avenues for mental health conditions with currently limited options. Gut bacteria have known impacts on anxiety — C. jejuni (pink, curvy) increases it, while B. longum (yellow, long) and L. helveticus (blue, pronged) reduce it. Maude David (far right) and her lab investigate the mechanisms between microbes and human anxiety. IMPACT FALL 2024 9
Marilyn Mackiewciz’s Ignite inSTEM workshop provides underrepresented high schoolers immersive access to science. Mentoring underrepresented students in chemistry camp In an OSU chemistry lab, high school students created tiny particles invisible to the naked eye. These young students, dressed in lab coats, were also a part of something bigger. They were attending Ignite inSTEM summer camp, a groundbreaking initiative to diversify the biomedical workforce by engaging underrepresented youth in hands-on science for the first time — improving their retention in STEM. Thanks to funds provided by her NSF CAREER award, Chemist Marilyn Rampersad Mackiewicz launched the camp in 2022, partnering with STEM Academy Director Catherine Law. The camp aims to recruit local first-generation and low-income students from Black and Hispanic communities, giving them the opportunity to solve a challenge in human health. This year’s camp included 10 Latinx high schoolers who had never taken a science class before. In a survey, they even indicated they’d never set foot on OSU’s campus because they believed they were not allowed to. “The fact that the room was full of students that have gone through similar experiences made me less nervous to participate because I felt comfortable in the group. For the first time, I was in a science lab full of diversity,” a student said. The students quickly learned chemical safety and engaged in small independent research projects centered on nanomaterial synthesis. Nanomaterial synthesis involves creating tiny materials through controlled chemical reactions. When their basic elements are small enough, nanoparticles take on unique characteristics that are vital for advancements in medicine and electronics. This week-long camp immersed the students in hands-on research, workshops, career coaching and By All and For All EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN SCIENCE 10 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
professional development. Their mini-research experience included the use of the Optical Coherence Tomography imaging system. By using light waves to capture high-resolution images, this tool allowed students to visualize various objects. Students spent the remaining 40 % of their time on professional development. One camper happily reported: “The workshops and the stories that the peer mentors told us were the most valuable because it helped us relate to their experiences. This made me feel more confident because if they could do it, then I could do it too.” Paid research for undergrads removes barriers Lexie Swisher, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, faced a dilemma: Work to afford rent or engage in unpaid research. The College of Science’s new Launching Undergraduate Research Experiences program addresses such situations by paying students for research, providing valuable learning opportunities. This support allowed Swisher to be paid for her lab work and focus on her Honors thesis, studying ostreid herpesvirus in Pacific oysters. The experience enriched her scientific knowledge, empowered her pursuit of genetics, teaching and accessible research, while significantly bolstering her resume for post-baccalaureate research at the National Institutes of Health. Hands-on learning for our future scientists For two days, Oregon State welcomed over 1,000 elementary students to experience the thrills of science outside the classroom. Discovery Days, a biannual outreach event sponsored by the College of Science, brimmed with activities for kids to enjoy while they met OSU students eager to share their enthusiasm for STEM. Whether setting up their own hydraulics model or discovering which mammal has the thickest fur, students were delighted by Discovery Days. Clubs and organizations from within Oregon State put together a unique spread of activities for students to choose from. IMPACT FALL 2024 11
The need to protect rocky shorelines A 15-year study revealed significant changes in the organisms living along the rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest, impacted by a marine heatwave and a sea star wasting disease epidemic. Findings were published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. During the NSF-funded study, sessile invertebrates like mussels and barnacles increased, while seaweeds, including kelps, declined. This shift occurred following the loss of adult ochre sea stars and during a three-year period of extremely warm water temperatures. Sea stars typically control mussel and barnacle populations, preventing them from dominating lower elevations. Additionally, many kelps did not survive the thermal stress. Lead author Zechariah Meunier, a biology doctoral graduate, along with professors Sally Hacker and Bruce Menge, noted that even after the epidemic ended and temperatures cooled, the rocky shore communities did not revert to their original state. This suggests that these ecosystems have low resilience to both temperature changes and predator population shifts. The scientists highlight the importance of healthy marine ecosystems, which play critical roles in oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. They emphasize that climate change and pollution are combining to create unprecedented stressors, such as harmful algal blooms, ocean acidification and hypoxia, leading to potential regime shifts in marine habitats. Despite these challenges, there is hope as adult ochre sea stars are currently recovering, which may help control barnacle and mussel populations in the future. May Nyman Zechariah Meunier Jamie Cornelius Mas Subramanian Phia Morton RESEARCH Discover
Subramanian discovers a second new pigment In 2009, Mas Subramanian amazed the world with his discovery of a vibrant blue pigment called YInMn blue. Now, he and his team have unveiled mesmerizing magentas powered by divalent chromium. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Subramanian’s work highlights the potential of divalent chromium as a chromophore, the part of a molecule responsible for determining color. Until now, no earth-based mineral has been known to contain chromium in this state. Inspired by the enigmatic landscapes of the moon and ancient Egyptian chemistry, these pigments have the potential to revolutionize energyefficient coatings for vehicles and buildings, offering both vibrant color and cooling properties that could lead to significant energy savings. As Subramanian puts it, “Most pigments are discovered by chance.” But with this research, he’s leading the way in developing fundamental chemical and crystal structural design principles to create new pigments. Subramanian is a distinguished professor of chemistry and the Milton Harris Professor of Materials Science. Progress in carbon scrubbing Thanks in part to College of Science faculty, we have a new tool in our carbon capture toolbox. Materials scientist May Nyman, the Terence Bradshaw Chemistry Professor, and a team of Oregon State University researchers have demonstrated the ability of vanadium peroxide molecules to react with and bind carbon dioxide. This is an important step toward improved technologies that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. While Nyman agrees prevention of carbon emissions is the best solution, carbon capture technology can make a difference “at the source” and remove legacy CO2. The research also provides an avenue to teach the next generation of scientists and engineers to innovate solutions to this problem. Graduate students Eduard Garrido Ribo, Ph.D., Zhiwei Mao, Jacob S. Hirschi and Karlie Bach were all authors on the news in addition to undergraduate Taylor Linsday. Physics undergraduate makes black hole merger discovery Phia Morton (Physics, ’24) studied black hole mergers in Pisa, Italy for a term last year. She returned to Oregon State as the first author of a paper correlating the merger with two different signals — a flare and a gravitational wave — making it the first strongly supported instance of a black hole merger emitting light. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of these astronomical objects but can also provide a new lens to view the gradual stretch of the universe. Morton presented her work at the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at Stanford University, where she is now pursuing a Ph.D. this fall. She also presented at the American Astronomical Society conference in New Orleans. With climate change driving extreme weather events, including rampant wildfires, adaptation will be key to whether some bird species survive or perish in coming years. Biodiversity scientist Jamie Cornelius studies how birds adapt to unpredictable and extreme changes in the environment, funded by a coveted National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. The Cornelius Lab studies birds in the contexts of storms, fire, drought, environmental contamination, urbanization and unpredictable or patchy food resources. In addition to the NSF award, Cornelius is funded by a National Geographic Society Explorer grant, funding the lab to examine the “acute impacts of fire and smoke on bird behavior, physiology and survival.” “Fire is something that’s happened for eons, so that is not new,” Cornelius said. “And birds probably have evolved responses that help them during smoke. But the intensity of the smoke is increasing and potentially the timing and frequency, as well,” she said. “This is the first time that we’re going out to put satellite tags and other kinds of heart rate transmitters on birds during smoke events.” Her research team uses both natural field experiments and controlled captive experiments to understand what birds need to survive and what strategies might help them cope with global change. How do birds cope with the changing world? IMPACT FALL 2024 13
@OSUScience @OSUScience @OSUScience @OSUScience company/osuscience Support students participating in undergraduate research with a gift to the Undergraduate Research Frontiers Fund. In the College of Science, students have more opportunities to collaborate on research that addresses real-world problems and prepares them for success after graduation. Oregon State receives more research funding than any other university in Oregon. That funding translates into more opportunities for Science students to engage in hands-on research, guided by faculty mentors. You can help students get hands on.
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