International

OSU sophomore ROTC cadet Emily Self survives avalanche & helps rescue 4 others while skiing

By Molly Rosbach on Feb. 11, 2025

The mountains where Emily Self went skiing over winter break in Whistler, Canada. Photo courtesy Emily Self. 

One day during winter break, when much of the OSU community was relaxing at home, Army ROTC cadet Emily Self was frantically digging people out of the snow after an avalanche overtook her party while skiing in Canada.

Where in the world is distinguished professor John Selker? Chile

By Molly Rosbach on Feb. 10, 2025

John Selker stands onstage to present his talk at the 2025 Congreso Futuro in Chile.

John Selker is a distinguished professor of hydrology in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, where he has been researching water and soil dynamics since 1991. During his time at OSU, he has used his sabbaticals to explore soil conditions all over the world, including in a large dryland region in Chile. He recently returned from speaking at Chile’s Congreso Futuro.

Where in the world is professor Rajat Panwar? Spain & Italy

By Molly Rosbach on Feb. 4, 2025

Rajat Panwar is a professor of responsible and sustainable business in Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. He’s also the deputy editor of the journal Business and Society, and frequently gives seminars around the world on how to successfully publish in the journal. His most recent lectures were in Spain and Italy in December.

Where were you?

Where in the world is Forestry Ph.D. student Lok Mani Sapkota? Cambodia

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 28, 2025

A team of researchers (three people on the right) and community forest leaders during a visit to a community forest in Stung Treng. 

Lok Mani Sapkota is a third-year Ph.D. student in OSU’s College of Forestry, studying forest ecosystems and society. With his degree, he intends to work on the science-policy-practice interface with a focus on enhancing local stewardship of forests. He spent much of last year researching in Cambodia. 

Where in the world is Forestry student Jill Aire? Spain

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 21, 2025

Jill Aire is a third-year natural resources student in Oregon State University’s College of Forestry, specializing in ecological consciousness and sustainability. With her degree, she intends to work in international forestry. She spent last summer at a university lab in Spain researching soil recovery after forest fires in the region.

Where were you working? 
I was at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Albacete, an hour and a half south of Madrid in Spain. 

What language is spoken there?
Spanish.

Where in the world is Ecampus student Jo Brunelli? Brazil

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 14, 2025

Jo Brunelli (in red hoodie) with Brazilian colleagues and volunteers outside the lab at the Instituto de Pesquisas da Biodiversidade in Brazil. 

Jo Brunelli is a senior Ecampus student in Philadelphia completing a bachelor’s degree in natural resources in Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. She hopes to work in hydrology focusing on water conservation, riparian ecosystem health and ensuring equitable access to water. She spent last summer researching fungi in Brazil.

Where in the world is program director Rachael Fahrenbach? Rwanda & Uganda

By Molly Rosbach on Dec. 17, 2024

Gorilla sighting in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. 

Rachael Fahrenbach is the director of international programs in Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. She recently traveled to Rwanda and Uganda to begin the process of building a study abroad program there for OSU students.

OSU anthropologist Patricia Fifita consulted on Polynesian culture for Disney’s Moana 2

By Molly Rosbach on Dec. 10, 2024

Promotional image from Moana 2 ©Disney. Moana is holding a piece of pottery modeled after Lapita pottery from ancient Oceania.

“Moana 2,” Disney’s latest animated blockbuster that smashed Thanksgiving box office records, tells the story of a young Pacific Islander girl empowered to sail the seas and lead her people in exploring far-off islands, accompanied by the demigod Maui and her trusty sidekicks, Heihei the rooster and Pua the pig. 

Where in the world is professor Sunil Khanna? Botswana

By Molly Rosbach on Dec. 10, 2024

Sunil Khanna is a professor and director of the Center for Global Health in Oregon State University’s College of Health. He also leads the center’s Botswana Global Health Initiative, which takes undergraduate and graduate students from across OSU to Botswana every year, where they gain hands-on experience in community health and cross-cultural training.