IMPACT

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.

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.

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.

Paul Kenis founded the California Wolf Center. Matthew Bacho helped confront AIDS. Deb Bellinghausen supervised a lab combatting periodontic diseases.

Now they are among the alumni who want to show their appreciation with financial donations to the microbiology department.

The College of Science community recently gathered to celebrate this year’s Alumni Award recipients. These alumni distinguished themselves through their groundbreaking research, strong leadership and efforts to enhance equity, access and inclusion.

Microbiologist Jo-Ann Leong never imagined that her quest for a new vaccine would ultimately change the world we live in today.

Internationally acclaimed microbiologist Jo Handelsman, who served as the science advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama as the Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will give the inaugural Berg Lecture on Thursday, April 27 at 5 p.m.

Meet Kacey, 2019 BioHealth Sciences grad, now an Epidemiologist and Research Coordinator at Comagine Health

Meet Charlotte, 2016 BioHealth Sciences grad and Clinical Pharmacist at PacificSource Health Plans.

Neither Ron nor Ann Berg is originally from Oregon, but taking a leap of faith to leave home and attend Oregon State University for graduate school changed their lives forever. Now, the couple is looking to give back to the institution that brought them together.