College of Science, Oregon State University

05/27/2026

From triathlons and violin rehearsals to hospice volunteering and Parkinson’s support programs, Honors microbiology senior Riley Whisler has spent her time at Oregon State exploring what it means to care for people in every stage of life. She also completed an honors thesis examining her grandfather’s experience in the American Indian boarding school system through the lens of basketball and studied abroad in Barcelona.

Now, she’s heading to medical school through the University of Washington WWAMI program with interests in sports medicine and palliative care. Learn how community, curiosity and compassion shaped her path.

Check out her story here: https://science.oregonstate.edu/impact/2026/05/riley-whisler-class-of-26-future-doctor-explores-sports-medicine-hospice-care-and

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Kasey Ingram, a third-year marine biology and ecology student who was recently awarded the National Udall Scholarship for her leadership in tribal public policy.

As a member of the Navajo tribe, Ingram is building a future career that connects her work to the people and cultures that have taught her what it means to be a steward of land.

She launched into all Oregon State University has to offer, gathering research experiences, club officer positions and multiple internships through College of Agricultural Sciences - Oregon State University and College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences - Oregon State University, which created an impressive resume of experience.

Read about the native rafting guide trip that inspired her career goals, plus her favorite fish right here >> https://science.oregonstate.edu/impact/2026/05/national-udall-scholarhship-awarded-to-marine-biology-student-for-leadership-in

Kasey Ingram, a third-year student specializing in marine biology, brings a deep and rich cultural understanding to her work in the waters. As an indigenous person of the Navajo tribe, Ingram is building a future career that connects her work to the people and cultures that have taught her what it m...

05/22/2026

Congratulations to physicist Ethan Minot, who has been appointed permanent head of Oregon State’s Department of Physics, where he hopes to strengthen a department renowned for its world-class research, leadership in physics education and collaborative academic culture.

Minot, who has served as interim head since September 2025, is a leading researcher in quantum materials and nanoscale systems with applications in semiconductors and emerging technologies. A recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER award, he studies materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and ultra-thin semiconductors that could make future technologies smaller, faster and more energy efficient.

As head, Minot aims to support ambitious research across the department’s signature areas, from astrophysics and biophysics to condensed matter physics and physics education research, while maintaining strength in both theoretical and experimental physics. He said the department’s momentum is fueled by outstanding faculty, talented students and a collaborative culture that supports both scientific ambition and fulfilling lives outside the lab.

Read more on Minot's goals for the department on IMPACT:

Minot, who has served as interim head since September 2025, is a leading researcher in quantum materials and nanoscale systems with applications in semiconductors and emerging technologies.

05/21/2026

Life in plastic isn’t always fantastic, and graduating chemistry senior Juliana Betancourt can tell you why.

After transitioning from community college to Oregon State, she conducted undergraduate research that questioned how nanoplastics move through the body. She never could have imagined her path would lead to joining a lab, presenting at a conference or now heading to a Ph.D. program to practice chemistry that will positively impact lives.

“I didn’t have any experience with chemistry until college. To be on the brink of starting my Ph.D. in chemistry — I think that’s my biggest accomplishment,” she said.

Read her journey from homeschool to Ph.D. here: https://science.oregonstate.edu/impact/2026/05/juliana-betancourt-class-of-26-chemistry-student-goes-from-homeschool-to

Congrats, Juliana!

05/13/2026

📣 When you hear the cheers on game day, you're watching a future physician in action!

As a BioHealth Sciences senior and captain of the OSU cheer team, Samantha LeFore knows how to work under pressure. For her, it's about showing up, putting in the hours, and lifting others along the way — sometimes literally.

From working in emergency rooms to leading on football fields, the path she's paving to medical school is a unique one. Read about it here: https://science.oregonstate.edu/impact/2026/05/samantha-lefore-class-of-26-biohealth-sciences-senior-osu-cheer-captain-future

Congrats, Samantha! We'll be cheering for you on graduation day!

05/11/2026

Oregon State's strength has always come from its people, and Dale Comstock is proof.

A veteran, former exchange professor in Russia and national leader in graduate education, Comstock built a career that spanned more than 70 countries.

The photo below captures one landmark moment in that journey: shaking hands with President Gerald Ford (left) in 1976.

Today, his legacy continues through his new endowed graduate dissertation award, helping College of Science students take the next step in their careers.

Scroll through his remarkable career: https://science.oregonstate.edu/impact/2026/05/from-international-mathematics-work-to-student-support-alumnus-gives-back-to-oregon

05/07/2026

All of these matched perfectly 😂

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Alt Text:
Text “Letting Tiktok pick the audio.” Two students go around Corvallis campus taking pictures in front of different things and getting a random Tiktok audio to generate after taking the picture. A photo of a student in front of a ball and stick molecular model gets paired with an audio that is very dramatic. A photo of a student in front of a display of many types of trees gets paired with an audio of a woman describing someone living in their house rent free but always has an
attitude. A photo of a student sitting down on a bench reading an IMPACT magazine paired with an audio that is upbeat. A photo of a student examining mammal skeletons in a glass case display gets paired with an audio of a woman describing her best friend. A photo of a student sitting on grass in the sun looking over at flowers and gets paired with an uplifting audio.

05/06/2026

We're proud to share that evolutionary biologist Stevan J Arnold has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in science.

His work changed how scientists study evolution in the natural world, bringing mathematical precision to questions that had challenged evolutionary biologists for decades.

At Oregon State University, he also helped shape the university’s research collections, led the Department of Zoology and mentored generations of scientists.

A tremendous and well-deserved recognition. Congratulations!

Stevan J. Arnold, emeritus professor of integrative biology at Oregon State University, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in science.

05/06/2026

Come spend a full day with me as a graduating biology senior. We’ll start with a biochemistry seminar, then head to work at my student job on campus, and end the day in the lab before homework!

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Alt text:

Text “Day in my life as a biology major at Oregon State.” A student shares a day in her life as a biology senior at Oregon State, including attending a seminar on meiosis and genome repair, working as a writing intern, assisting in a lab preparing yeast culture plates, and finishing assignments at home.

05/05/2026

Behind many cultural moments, there often lies unseen science. Such is the case with the iconic "cerulean sweater" moment in the film, The Devil Wears Prada.

Read how difficult it is to create varied blue pigments, and the history of the color's chemical journey, from Oregon State chemist Mas Subramanian in this National Geographic feature.

The Devil Wears Prada made a cerulean sweater a moment in fashion history. But its scientific history is much older, and more fascinating.