July 20, 2009

CORVALLIS - A group of 35 undergraduate students have received fellowships to do biological research this summer at Oregon State University in a program largely supported by a four-year, $1.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Students were chosen for these competitive awards based on their academic interests, future plans, and potential success. They will receive more than $3,300 for their work during an 11-week term, doing original research with an OSU faculty member. A number of OSU departments, research centers and the laboratories of individual faculty members also support the program. At the conclusion of the program, all participants will meet in a symposium to present research results to their peers and mentors.

"OSU has long recognized the unique educational value of an individual research experience," said Kevin Ahern, director of the summer fellowship project at OSU. "The Howard Hughes grant substantially increases the number of students who are able to participate in an intense, full-time research program over a several month period, engaging in frequent contact with other students and with a faculty mentor."

Student participants in the program and their OSU faculty mentors include:

OREGON

  • ALBANY: James Proestos, a freshman in biochemistry and biophysics, working with Sonia Anderson;

     

  • AURORA: Tak Suyama, a sophomore in chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics, working with David Horne;

     

  • BEAVERTON: Ying Liu, a junior in zoology working with Barbara Taylor;

     

  • CLACKAMAS: Rachel Hasson, a freshman in biochemistry and biophysics, working with Walt Ream;

     

  • COOS BAY: Coral Nash, a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics working with Jeffrey Greenwood;

     

  • CORVALLIS: Brigit Adamus, a freshman in human biology at Cornell University, working with Maret Traber; Zebulon Jones, a senior in biological engineering working with Mike Schimerlik; and Solyssa Visalli, a senior in bioresource research working with Kim Anderson;

     

  • EUGENE: Rebecca Williams, a sophomore in chemical engineering, working with Tory Hagen;

     

  • FLORENCE: Matthew Scott, a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics, working with Dan Rockey;

     

  • GOLD BEACH: Maggie Rector, a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics, working with James Carrington;

     

  • HILLSBORO: Christine Neou, a microbiology major working with John Fowler;

     

  • HOOD RIVER: Joey Aubert, a senior in bioresource research working with Frank Moore;

     

  • JOHN DAY: Jessica Horrell, a sophomore in biology, working with Sujaya Rao;

     

  • LAGRANDE: Marina Banta, a senior in microbiology working with Dennis Hruby;

     

  • MEDFORD: Sara Breitenbach, a senior in chemistry working with Dan Rockey;

     

  • MILWAUKIE: Thom Young, a senior in zoology, working with Bruce Menge;

     

  • MONMOUTH: Anna Hsu, a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics, working with John Hays;

     

  • NEWBERG: Loren Brown, a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics working with Christopher Mathews;

     

  • NORTH BEND: Brett Palama, a sophomore in chemistry working with Andrew Buermeyer;

     

  • PORTLAND: Chelsea Meltzer (97219), a junior in microbiology working with Virginia Stockwell; and Binh Nguyen (97230), a sophomore in biochemistry and biophysics working with Tory Hagen;

     

  • SALEM: Mae Johnston, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics working with Victor Hsu; and Jamie Miller, a junior in biochemistry and biophysics working with Isaac Wong;

     

  • SISTERS: Amber Leis, a senior in microbiology working with Dennis Hruby;

     

  • WILLAMINA: Christine Reid, a senior in agricultural business management, working with Jeff Steiner;

ALASKA

  • FAIRBANKS: Tom Sharpton, a junior in biochemistry and biophysics, working with Virginia Weis;

CALIFORNIA

  • HUNTINGTON BEACH: Heather Parsons, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics, working with William Baird;

CONNECTICUT

  • MERIDEN: John Schenk, a junior in botany, working with Aaron Liston;

HAWAII

  • HANAPEPE, Kauai: Robyn Ikehara, a junior in biochemistry and biophysics, working with Christopher Mathews;

MINNESOTA

  • EDEN PRAIRIE: Valerie Bomben, a junior in biochemistry, chemistry and psychology, working With Joe Beckman;

PENNSYLVANIA

  • BERWICK: Mike Llewellyn, a junior in zoology, working with Tom Roberts;

WASHINGTON

  • ISSAQUAH: Danielle Leiske, a senior in chemical engineering, working with Skip Rochefort;

     

  • MOUNT VERNON: Azure Spitser, a junior in microbiology, working with Dahong Zhang.
Source: 

Kevin Ahern, 541-737-2305

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