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A paper sculpture of a fish parasite hangs from a ceiling.
Microbiology

Blending art and science: Microbiologist illuminates the hidden world of fish parasites

A graduate student in Oregon State University’s Department of Microbiology, Nilanjana Das is using art to give the invisible world of fish parasites new visibility — and new meaning. Through large, glowing sculptures made of tracing paper and reed, she brings public attention to the microscopic organisms threatening aquatic ecosystems.

Vaishnavi Padaki stands in Strand Gallery. Two of her art pieces hang on either side of her on the wall. The one on the left is on a white background, the one on the right is on a black background. She wears glasses and has long dark hair. She smiles slightly.
Graduate students

10 Questions With... Vaishnavi Padaki, microbiology Ph.D. candidate

10 Questions With… Vaishnavi Padaki, fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in microbiology, who will be defending her thesis in April. Padaki has created mixed-media artwork for part of her thesis which is on display March 31-April 16 in the Strand Gallery in Strand Ag Hall on the Corvallis campus.

Artwork, a piece of glass with screen printing of a DNA sequence inside of it.
Microbiology

Microbiologist Jerri Bartholomew elevates microbes to fine art

Bartholomew’s glasswork that fuses artistry with research is on exhibition in The Little Gallery in Kidder Hall from March 7 to April 8, 2022. A new fellowship invites scientist-artists to explore interdisciplinary projects.

Science-themed novels lined up in an angled grid
Students

Microbiology student featured on Science Friday

Microbiology major Sarah Olson Michel shares summer science book recommendations on Ira Flatow's Science Friday show.

Saving Atlantis
Marine Science

Oregon State University-produced coral reef documentary now streaming worldwide

"Saving Atlantis" producers followed coral microbiologist Rebecca Vega Thurber and other researchers from Oregon State and around the world who are uncovering the causes of coral decline and looking to find solutions so they don’t completely disappear.

Michael Schultheis painting of ocean shore made of mathematical imagery
Events

Math on the canvas: Acclaimed artist explores mathematics as art

The inaugural ART:SCI Lecture, “Venn pirouettes: Changing the way the world sees math” by painter Michael Schultheis will be held October 24, 2018.

Bets Cole Evolution of a Superbug
Microbiology

Sparks fly between arts and science — and a giant petri dish

Catalyzed by OSU's yearlong arts+science event SPARK, a Harvard scientist purchases a stunning work by an Oregon artist who was in turn inspired by his experiment with bacteria on a giant petri dish.

Scuba diver in reef
Events

Film screening: Chasing Corals

Science faculty and students are hosting a screening of the movie Chasing Corals, followed by a panel of six OSU scientists specializing in coral reefs in hopes of educating people about what the future holds for these precious ecosystems and how to help.

picture of yellow microbiomes
Research

OSU Microbiome Initiative launches

Fueled by an urgency driving microbiome research nationally, the College of Science launches the OSU Microbiome Initiative this spring.

Ed Young giving lecture on stage
Events

Science writer discusses microbiomes: I Contain Multitudes

Award-winning science writer and journalist Ed Yong presents inaugural public lecture of OSU Microbiome Initiative.

Petri dishes with micro-biome artwork
Events

Microbiomes: Connecting Communities

The Microbiomes: Connecting Communities exhibit is open to the public until May 12, and displays artwork by students and faculty/staff shaped by collaborations between art and microbiology.

Petri dishes with micro-biome artwork
Events

Seeing the unseen: Where science and art converge

"Microbiomes: To See the Unseen" is a groundbreaking exhibit that brings art into one of the hottest areas of scientific research: the microbiome.