Protecting communities through conservation science Marine biology student Kasey Ingram, a member of the Navajo Nation, was named a Udall Scholar, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for students committed to environmental leadership, public service and Tribal issues in 2026. Ingram came to OSU determined to use science in service of Indigenous communities. A biology major with a marine biology and ecology focus and a minor in Indigenous Studies, she has built an academic path that connects conservation, research and Tribal stewardship. Her experiences include studying salmon behavior in Oregon State’s Fish Behaviorscapes Lab, launching autonomous ocean gliders with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and conducting research on environmental DNA as a tool for monitoring fish pathogens. She continued that work over the summer through a NOAA Hollings Scholarship at Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, where she studied how warming nest temperatures affect sea turtle hatchlings. Beyond research, Ingram serves as president of the Native American Student Association and an officer in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society at OSU. She hopes to help ensure Indigenous perspectives are represented in conservation decisions. “To protect Indigenous cultures, you also have to protect the lands that they come from,” she said. Turning a cancer diagnosis into discovery When Jordan Indrawan was 16, doctors discovered a germ cell tumor pressing against his lung. After months of chemotherapy and surgery, he survived cancer with a renewed sense of purpose. “That experience was lifechanging,” he said. “It made me realize that I want to contribute in some way to finding a cure.” At Oregon State, that goal led him to the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and eventually to the College of Science’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), which supports students pursuing summer research. Working in biochemist Colin Johnson’s lab, Indrawan studied ferlins, a family of proteins involved in cell communication, growth and repair. Better understanding those proteins could help researchers investigate diseases ranging from hearing loss to muscular dystrophy and cancer. The experience allowed him to master lab techniques, contribute to ongoing research projects and achieve an unexpected milestone: scientific authorship. “I’ve read research papers all the time, but I never thought I would be in one,” he said. “Seeing my name felt unreal and rewarding.” The experience confirmed his desire to pursue a future in cancer research through graduate study or the biotechnology industry. STUDENTS AND FACULTY SHAPING THE FUTURE. Best and Brightest Kasey Ingram (left) and Jordan Indrawan (right) each channeled their lived experiences into research efforts that will have positive impact on the health of people and the planet. 2 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
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