Eleanor Ford (62’, Microbiology) was six feet tall. Not literally, but when she shared her passion for laboratory safety, her personality could fill a room. Despite being only four feet, eleven inches, and a woman in a male-dominated field in the 1960s, when she talked, people listened.
Graduate students in the College of Science earned notable recognition during the 2023-24 academic year, receiving a range of awards which highlight their achievements and contributions to Oregon State.
Whether fostering curiosity in local classrooms, providing resources for underserved communities or translating cutting-edge discoveries for the general public, our outreach bridges the gap between science and society, elevating both. Here are some examples from across our departments during 2023-2024.
The College of Science community recently gathered to celebrate this year's Alumni Award recipients. These individuals have enriched many lives through their professional achievements, impact and service. They embody our vision to extend the reach and impact of science by improving life for the people of Oregon and beyond.
Life scientist Jonathan Gallion (B.S. '12) is vice president of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for OmniScience, a leading AI organization focused in life sciences and clinical research. After driving major breakthroughs in life sciences for only a little more than a decade, the College of Science is proud to honor him with the 2024 Early Career Award.
Algal physiologist James Fox is a co-investigator on a $1 million study examining the impact of adding seaweed to the diets of beef cattle as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As the world held its breath, Oregon State alumnus Steve Bjornson waited for results. The VP and COO of Pfizer’s vaccine research and development organization, he successfully led a team of hundreds of scientists in an unprecedented effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Oregon State University Alumni Association will honor Joel Peterson, a renowned winemaker and 1969 graduate of the College of Science, as one of the Alumni Fellows during the 2024 Black and Orange Awards Celebration.
When homelessness and poverty strike, dental care often becomes a distant priority, leading many to resort to desperate measures like pulling their own teeth. Anika Phuvasate and her fellow Oregon State University Pre-Dental Club members are changing that narrative by organizing free clinics that offer compassionate, judgment-free dental services. These efforts not only restore smiles but also dignity, proving that everyone deserves access to essential care.
Catherine Sterrett has always been called to medicine, but when she found herself as a patient, compassion became her greatest motivation. Now a graduating senior, she looks forward to where her career will take her.
