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CORVALLIS - Outstanding faculty in Oregon State University's College of Science were honored recently in the areas of teaching, research and advising at an annual faculty meeting and awards ceremony.

Three outstanding educators became the first recipients of the F.H. Horne Award for Excellence in Teaching Science. The award, named for Dean Frederick H. Horne, was established by Fred and Clara Horne. Horne will retire as dean this December.

Recipients of that award include:

• Andrew Blaustein, a professor of zoology, recognized by students and faculty as gifted in the classroom, as well as the laboratory. Blaustein received his doctorate in 1978 from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
• Patricia S. Muir, a professor of botany and plant pathology and director of the undergraduate environmental sciences program, is the most frequently honored teacher and adviser in the college, having won six college and university awards in six years. Muir received her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1984.
• Janine S. Trempy, an associate professor of microbiology, created the popular elective course, "The World According to Microbes." She received her doctorate from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in 1985.

Other award recipients included:

• Brian A. Croft, a professor of entomology, received the Gilfillan Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Science. Croft's research focuses on population ecology and biological control of phytophagous mites, life history and life style types of phytoseiid mites, and integrated pest management of mites on many crops and in regional agriculture. He is internationally renowned for his role in the development of integrated pest management, and earned his doctorate in 1970 from the University of California, Riverside.

   

• John A. Ruben, a professor of zoology, received the Milton Harris Award in Basic Research. Ruben, a leading expert in dinosaur research, conducts research on the evolution of the vertebrate skeleton, as well as the evolution of warm-bloodedness in birds, mammals, and their ancestors. Ruben received his doctorate in 1975 from the University of California, Berkeley.

   

• Aaron I. Liston, an associate professor of botany and plant pathology and director of the OSU Herbarium, received the T.T. Sugihara Young Faculty Research award for his contributions to plant science. Liston's research focuses on genetic variations, at the molecular level, as a basis for understanding plant evolution. He received his doctorate in 1990 from Claremont Graduate School.

   

• The Loyd Carter Awards for Inspirational Teaching of graduate students were presented to Sherman H. Bloomer, professor and chair of geosciences and College of Science interim dean designate; and Bruce McCune, a professor of botany and plant pathology.

   

• The Loyd Carter award for Inspirational Teaching of undergraduates was presented to Kevin Ahern, a senior instructor in biochemistry and biophysics.

   

• Olaf Boedtker Awards for Excellence in Student Advising were presented to Victoria A. Linehan, an advising specialist in environmental science; and Christine Pastorek, a senior instructor and adviser in chemistry.

Also at the science faculty meeting, Dallice I. Mills, professor of botany and plant pathology, presented this year's Gilfillan Memorial Lecture, "Beyond Basic Research in Plant Pathology: Development of Biotechnological Applications."