OSU Today

Pacific Northwest girl ‘raised by the ocean’ grows up to make notable contributions to worldwide ocean health (Oregonian)

A strong student in both science and math, she arrived at Oregon State University planning to major in biochemistry on her way to becoming a doctor. But a funny thing happened her first year in Corvallis, as she studied with fellow pre-med students and sensed their passion for medical school – and didn’t feel it much.

Construction leaders: What’s in store for 2026 (The Level)

“The industry is presently struggling with preventing serious injuries and fatalities,” said Oregon State’s John Gambatese, professor of civil and construction engineering. “The rate of fatalities in the construction industry has remained relatively stagnant over the past couple of decades. While the industry continues to focus on workplace safety, achieving safety excellence will likely require a different approach.”

Not just for the holidays: Christmas tree growers work all year long (KOIN)

Christmas is behind us, so what do the more than 300 Christmas tree growers do for the rest of the year? According to Priya Rajarapu, a researcher from Oregon State University, there’s a lot that has to be done to make sure those crops stay healthy.

Oregon researchers, crabbers team up to solve deadly whale entanglements (KOBI)

Researchers at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute are trying to bridge the gap with data. Leigh Torres, an associate professor who leads the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab, uses Coast Guard helicopters and drones to map whale locations and ocean conditions. This data helps to inform management decisions that protect whales while minimizing economic harm to fishermen.

OSU publication to aid land managers of sagebrush landscapes (Elkhorn Media)

Oregon State University’s Extension Service issued a publication in October of 2025, entitled “Threat-Based Ecostate Mapping: Using Big Data to Guide Management Across Sagebrush Landscapes.”

Mixed signals suggest moderate Pacific salmon returns (National Fisherman)

Juvenile salmon experienced a mix of favorable and challenging ocean conditions off the West Coast in 2025, according to an annual analysis by NOAA Fisheries and Oregon State University researchers.

Hazelnuts are a bright spot for Oregon agriculture (Willamette Week)

When planting crops that require years to mature, such as fruit or nut trees, farmers are betting on what they think will be successful, says Tim Delbridge, an assistant professor at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Humanoid robots are ready to do your housework in 2026 - and can be yours for $20,000 (New York Post)

Up and running in warehouses of companies including Amazon, the Digit v4 is a workhorse. Agility Robotics, which grew out of Oregon State University’s robotics lab, is founded by professors and grad students, and has been evolving since 2019. The Digit is designed to do one very specific thing: move plastic bins that hold products in a warehouse or factory. It’s the kind of job that grinds down humans and leaves us with aching backs. But it is no sweat for a robot.

Whale’s tragic demise brings two worlds together (Buffalo’s Fire)

The scene was both despairing and tense. As waves rolled in and out, friction arose between several volunteers as to how to best save the whale while also being respectful and safe. Oregon State Police had already kept a good number of people away from the whale to let organizations like the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State University do their best to help.

Oregon sees snow shortage to start 2026, storm won’t solve problem (Capital Press)

“Right now, the Willamette Basin, it’s at about 22% of normal. … We’re just teetering on it being the all-time record lowest since 1981,” said Larry O’Neill, Oregon State climatologist and an Oregon State University associate professor.

Bound for Antarctica: A voyage to Earth’s end is underway (New York Times)

Consider Erin Pettit, a glaciologist at Oregon State University, who in 2020 collected data in the center of Thwaites’s eastern ice shelf. Dr. Pettit chose the spot mainly because it was accessible, not because the ice seemed to be doing anything dramatic. She would soon learn otherwise. (for a PDF of this article, email [email protected])

2025: The year of the starfish and the Pacific Northwest scientists trying to save them (OPB News)

On the Oregon Coast, ochre sea stars experienced a baby boom after getting hit hard by the wasting disease. Scientists at Oregon State University say the new batch of ochre sea stars hanging out on coastal rocks are smaller, but the population numbers are at or higher than they were before the disease. (see also Jefferson Public Radio)

Dust collection in a shared shop: A wood scientist’s perspective (Woodworking Network)

In the eleven or so years I’ve taught woodworking and woodturning courses in the Department of Wood Science & Engineering at Oregon State University, I’ve heard just about every excuse one can think of for ignoring dust safety.

Tuck your garden and roses into bed for a vibrant spring awakening (Columbia Gorge News)

As the Oregon State University Extension reminds us, timing is everything: do not fertilize late in the fall. Adding nitrogen now encourages the plant to produce soft, new growth that is highly vulnerable to frost damage and disease. We want our plants, especially woody ornamentals like roses, to slow down and harden off for the winter naturally. OSU Extension provides excellent tips on rose care, including winter care and protection here.

Microplastics detox: Is it possible? (Everyday Health)

“If you're a human living in the modern world, you're going to be continually exposed to microplastics, and you could technically get your blood cleaned, but then as soon as you walk back out, you’re going to be re-exposed,” says Susanne Brander, PhD, an environmental toxicologist and an associate professor in the department of environmental and molecular toxicology at Oregon State University in Corvallis, whose laboratory researches the effects of microplastics and endocrine disrupting compounds on health.

The hunt for joy: What is it, and where do we find it? (Bend Bulletin)

For Dennis Lynn, a professor of human development and family sciences at Oregon State University-Cascades, joy is deeper than the hit of dopamine we get from a happy moment.

Ag groups seek to stop $7 million in OSU statewide program cuts (Capital Press)

Agricultural and natural resources organizations are lobbying for continued investments in Oregon State University’s statewide public service programs, which could be cut by nearly $7 million per year in potential state budget reductions.

Prominent environmental health journal disappears, but it’s in transition (Chemistry World)

Many researchers like Jamie DeWitt, an environmental and molecular toxicologist at Oregon State University, are still concerned. She notes that EHP is one of the top tier journals in the environmental health sciences and the toxicological sciences. ‘Its articles usually concern emerging and/or current issues that are relevant to public and environmental health,’ DeWitt tells Chemistry World. ‘One of the advantages of being housed within NIEHS was that the editor-in-chief was an NIEHS scientist, so was someone who was generally actively engaged in environmental health science research in some way.’

Oregon nursery group honors industry members, advocates (Capital Press)

Lloyd Nackley, a professor in the horticulture department at Oregon State University, was named the Distinguished Education Award winner.

Diverse Santas give Oregonians an inclusive Christmas icon (KLCC)

A study involving an Oregon State University scholar looked at non-traditional Santas. Bori Csillag, OSU’s Stirek Assistant Professor of Management, said for many Father Christmases, spreading love and joy for the holidays surpassed the need to conform 100% to the mainstream depiction of Santa.

Is the mistletoe that inspires holiday smooching a menace to trees? (Nautilus)

Researchers from Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry used the urban forests in western Oregon cities as a natural laboratory to investigate the effects of western oak mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) on non-native oaks. They collected data from 227 trees on mistletoe abundance and tree characteristics, including height, age, and condition.

Flying with whales: Drones are remaking marine mammal research (Local News 8)

Gathering snot is one of many ways that drones are being used to study whales. In the past 10 to 15 years, drone technology has made great strides, becoming affordable and easy to use. This has been a boon for researchers. Scientists “are finding applications for drones in virtually every aspect of marine mammal research,” says Joshua Stewart, an ecologist at the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University.

Oregon State expert on warm weather impact on your plants (KEZI)

"I mean, there's both benefits and drawback to this warmer start," said Erica Chernoh with Oregon State University Lane County Extension Service. "Obviously, if you have a vegetable garden, people may still be harvesting vegetables, things like kale, lettuces, etc. Even carrots will have kind of an extended harvest season. So that can be a good thing."

NEW! 35th Street closure: As part of an ongoing waterline replacement project, SW 35th Street will be fully closed to traffic at the railroad crossing Jan. 6-9. SW Washington Way will also be closed at SW 35th Street. OSU vehicles will be allowed through the closure zone on Washington Way and across 35th to access facilities west of the fire station. Sidewalks will remain open on 35th. The multi-use path will remain open on the south side of Washington Way, though the sidewalk and cycle track on the north side of Washington Way are closed due to a separate project.

NEW! Scheduled: Annual Campus Wide Steam Shutdown: Each year Facilities Services performs necessary maintenance on the university’s steam system, which requires shutting off the steam throughout campus, to complete maintenance services at the plant, throughout the steam tunnels and in each building.  This process affects hot water supply, heating, and all equipment that uses steam, campus wide.  The steam shutdown for 2026 will occur June 15 – 17. For questions or comments on this closure contact Les Walton at 541-737-8812. Closures are often subject to changes and delays, so please visit the OSU Campus Closures, Shutdowns, and Detours page for updates on this and other campus closures.