Connecting students to global science in coastal Aruba Itchung Cheung, a marine scientist and instructor at Hatfield Marine Science Center, connects students to real-world marine science through an immersive study abroad course in Aruba. Co-leading the course alongside sociologist Dwaine Plaza, Cheung brings together students from Oregon State and the University of Aruba to explore sustainability challenges in island and coastal environments. Through field-based activities like sea floor mapping by kayak and cultural experiences such as visiting historic monuments, students gain a global perspective and see firsthand the impact of grassroots science. The course deepens students’ understanding of marine ecosystems while fostering collaboration across cultures and disciplines. For Cheung, it’s about helping students see how science operates beyond the classroom — and equipping them with the skills to address global challenges as both scientists and engaged citizens. Groundbreaking cell transport research picked up by Nature Biochemist Sarah Clark led a groundbreaking study published in Nature revealing how cells transport lipids — essential fats — between membranes, a process essential for brain health, metabolism and immunity. Her team revealed the detailed structure of the protein LPD-3, which forms a tunnel to move lipids efficiently between cellular compartments. These proteins help cells replenish lipid membranes around organelles like mitochondria and nuclei, membranes that are constantly changing due to cellular transport processes. Her team also discovered a new helper protein, Spigot, that guides lipids into the tunnel. Understanding how lipid transport works could clarify the causes of certain neurodevelopmental disorders linked to mutations in lipid transport proteins. The study included key contributions from Maria Purice, assistant professor, and Hannah Long, a graduate student in Clark’s lab. Elementary outreach ignites STEM passion Senior Chemistry Instructor Margie Haak has spent nearly two decades bringing science to life for Oregon families through Family Science & Engineering Nights. Held in elementary schools across western Oregon, the events are designed to ignite curiosity through hands-on activities — like dry ice experiments, cryogenics and slime making. Haak leads a team of volunteer scientists, students, and faculty who travel to rural and under-resourced schools, reaching thousands of families each year. Over the years, the program has grown significantly. Requests from schools quickly fill up open slots, and many schools ask to host the event annually. Donations help cover transportation costs and supplies. Schools are never asked to pay. Haak’s mission is simple: make science accessible, exciting and something kids want to share with their families. Mathematician wins presidential award for improving student learning Professor of Mathematics Elise Lockwood received the 2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers — the highest U.S. honor for earlystage researchers. Recognized for her groundbreaking work in mathematics education, Lockwood studies how college students learn combinatorics, the mathematics of counting and patterns. Unlike solving a calculus equation, which often seems like following a well-lit trail with a pre-existing path to reach an answer, combinatorics problems can feel like they are all unique. Lockwood has discovered that students want more structure, and she has accomplished this by helping them focus on the nature of what they are trying to count instead of focusing on applying a formula. By focusing on how students conceptualize and reason through combinatorial problems, she has redefined traditional approaches to teaching this foundational area of mathematics. Her work integrates deep theoretical insights with practical applications, enabling educators to move beyond rote memorization and formulaic problem-solving to foster genuine mathematical understanding. 4 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
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