Applications are open for Oregon's top academic and professional fellowship program: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's OMSI Science Communication Fellowship. For spring 2018, the fellowship is open to researchers or science professionals including faculty, graduate students,technicians, or other individuals in STEM and health related professions.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, November 1.

Held primarily in Corvallis, OR on the OSU campus, OMSI Fellows participate in a series of professional development workshops that cover science communication best practices and provide opportunities for participants to practice new skills and techniques. In collaboration with OMSI, each Fellow will develop a unique hands-on educational activity designed to communicate their research to public audiences and will join OMSI in engaging museum visitors with these activities at Meet a Scientist events.

A series of four professional development workshops will focus on building skills to effectively communicate scientific research with broader audiences. Workshops are 3-4 hours each, spaced over the course of three to four months.

Tuition for the program is $1850 per participant. The Science Dean's Office will cover half the tuition for all accepted College of Science applicants.

The OMSI Science Communication Fellowship Program is an excellent way to fulfill broader impact and outreach goals for grant-funded research at OSU. Many of the participants in the Fellowship program secure their tuition through broader impacts or education and outreach components of current research grants.

An online application and further information about the Fellowship program can be found on OMSI's website.

The university has awarded more than $39.5 million in scholarships to students for the 2017-18 academic year, a key component of OSU President Ed Ray’s Student Success Initiative.

Roughly $24.5 million of the total is spread among 7,271 scholarships to returning students. The rest is for awards to 2,532 new/incoming students, including 34 who received a $10,000-per-year Presidential Scholarship, OSU’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarship.

Approximately 35 percent of this year’s first-year students are receiving scholarship support.

Scholarships for science students at an all-time high

College of Science students received the second highest amount of scholarship funds in the university.

More than $7.5 million in scholarship money is going to College of Science students, the college’s highest total ever, said Roy Haggerty, dean of the college. That is triple the amount awarded two years ago. Reasons for the jump include increases in university scholarships and in the number of high-achieving students enrolling in the College.

Nearly $5 million is allocated to 1,344 scholarships for returning students. The rest is for awards to 570 incoming/new students, including nine who received a Presidential Scholarship.

This year more than half of the college’s first-year students received scholarship support.

“Scholarships enable the college to attract, retain and inspire top science students, most of whom go on to high-achieving careers in industry, graduate school, medical school and other professional programs after graduation,” Haggerty said.

“Oregon State’s financial-need-based scholarships also help academically talented low-income and first-generation students from Oregon and elsewhere stay and excel in college.”

First-generation students typically have a greater financial need so scholarships are a crucial part of their educational equation, said Haggerty, who was first in his family to attend college.

“In our College, the number of first-generation students has risen from 20 percent to 29 percent in the last five years,” he said. “Many scholarship students in the College of Science attest to the value of scholarships in easing the financial burden on their families and enabling them to focus on academics, research, volunteer activities and post-college career goals.”

College of Engineering netted the highest amount in scholarship support. Thirty-five percent of engineering students are receiving scholarship support. They are receiving $12.7 million, with $7.9 million divided among 1,948 scholarships to returning students. Nineteen of the 804 their incoming scholarship students are Presidential Scholars.

In third place is the College of Business. It was awarded more than $3.7 million in scholarships, including roughly $2.3 million spread among 761 scholarships to returning students. The remainder is awarded to 276 incoming students, including one Presidential Scholar. About 29 percent of this year’s first-year business students are receiving scholarship support.

This year’s graduation numbers show that the College of Science has performed exceedingly well on all fronts. The College is graduating a record 629 students with baccalaureate degrees in 2016-17, including 55 honors baccalaureates. This represents a five percent increase from last year.

Biology majors lead the way with 159 graduates, followed by BioHealth Sciences majors with 119. Next are Microbiology majors with 79 graduates, Zoology has 59, Chemistry 51, Mathematics 49, Physics 24, Biochemistry and Biophysics 17 and General Science 17.

In addition, we are graduating 64 master’s and 66 doctoral students. The latter figure constitutes the highest number of Ph.Ds in recent years. In fact, the College is graduating 65% more doctoral students and 33% more masters students than last year.

Overall, Oregon State University graduated 6,807 students in 2017 and 5,590 baccalaureate degrees were awarded to students. The class of 2017 in the College represents 10 majors in the life sciences, physical, mathematical and statistical sciences.

Our graduates accomplish more than they thought imaginable with the help of outstanding professors, who are also scientists at the top of their fields, and a team of dedicated advisors. Supported by awards and scholarships, science students collaborate with faculty to create new knowledge and achieve major scientific breakthroughs.

Many of our graduates have had the opportunity to deepen their scientific knowledge by participating in research in labs across and beyond OSU, ranging from sciences to pharmacy, public health, agricultural sciences, forestry, engineering, robotics and veterinary medicine. For many, research has meant embracing and plumbing the mysteries of the outdoors from diving into marine habitats to field work in diverse terrains and in several parts of the world.

They are leaving OSU as accomplished young scientists in their own right, having begun research in their freshman year; they have presented their work at scientific conferences, co-authored papers in scientific publications with faculty mentors and even won top national awards for their research accomplishments. In fact, OSU ranks among the top 45 research universities in the nation for the number of opportunities it provides undergraduates to participate in research.

Our graduates have also expanded their professional and intellectual horizons by taking part in other transformative experiences such as internships, study abroad programs, leadership experiences and experiential learning in and out of classrooms. These experiences can transform great students into extraordinary leaders in science.

Our 2017 graduates are Fulbright scholars, Thurgood Marshall Scholars, Goldwater nominees, Ford Fellows, future doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, veterinarians, community leaders, teachers and informed, engaged world citizens. Together they exemplify the College’s commitment to excellence in science education and an inclusive and diverse learning community. We couldn’t be prouder of them!

Each OSU graduate has a compelling story. Here are the stories of a few of our exceptional graduates, in which they reflect on their time at OSU and share their dreams for the future.

Shan Lansing, Chemistry, M.S. 2017

Four years and two degrees later

Swechya Banskota, Biology, 2017

Leadership, healthcare research, artistic diversity: the story of a biology major

Karianna Crowder, Zoology, 2017

From cuddling gibbons to grinding horse teeth

Jason Sandwisch, Chemistry, 2017

A journey to master physical chemistry

Michael Lopez, Mathematics, 2017

Not your typical mathematician: Marine, cop, dad, first generation college graduate

The College of Science will treat science students, faculty and staff to dinner and a movie followed by a lively discussion on Tuesday, January 31. The movie is “Hidden Figures,” the 2016 Oscar-nominated biographical film about pioneering yet little known female African-American mathematicians at NASA.

Based on the book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Sheerly, the film depicts the incredible and inspiring NASA careers of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson who started working in the Jim Crow era. Johnson was a physicist and mathematician, who calculated flight trajectories for Project Mercury, the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the moon and many other early NASA missions. Jackson went on to become NASA’s first black female engineer. Vaughan was the first African-American woman to supervise a staff at NASA.

The film shows how the three women overcame racial discrimination and other social obstacles to contribute in vital ways to NASA’s various missions at a time when black women and men were still being subjected to segregation and barred from higher education and high-skilled jobs.

After the movie, the College will host a pizza dinner and an hour-long discussion exploring issues raised by the film that go beyond NASA and the field of mathematics and connecting with many of the College’s initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion.

If interested, faculty, students, faculty and staff can RSVP to Michael Lopez at LopeMich@oregonstate.edu

Movie: Carmike Cinema at 4:10 pm, January 31, 2017 (Tuesday). Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Discussion and Dinner: Kidder 128, 6:45 p.m.—7:45 p.m.

The College of Science celebrated our outstanding scholarship students at our annual spring Scholarship Dessert in June. For the 2016-17 academic year, the College awarded scholarships for merit, need and undergraduate research experiences. The Scholarship Dessert—a festive occasion—connects students, their families, advisors, faculty and many alumni/friends whose generous support funds these awards.

This year two scholarship recipients spoke, Shan Lansing, a senior chemistry major, and Jackson Dougan ('13), a recent integrative biology alumnus. They shared their unique perspectives and experiences about their science education, transformative experiences and the power of scholarships.

For a complete list of our scholarships, visit: science.oregonstate.edu/scholarships.

Scenes from our 2016 Scholarship Dessert

»If you missed 2015 University Day, watch the Keynote presentation and President Ray's remarks.

Oregon State University ushered in the new academic year by honoring the accomplishments of its outstanding faculty, students and staff on 2015 University Day held September 21.

Not surprisingly, faculty and students of the College of Science won quite a few of the most prestigious university awards for excellence in professional achievement, research, teaching and dedicated service.

“I am extremely proud of our faculty and students. I am happy to see their excellence in scholarship, service, teaching and mentoring recognized across the university,” said Sastry G. Pantula, dean of the College of Science. “Keep up the excellent work!”

The OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award recognizes a person who demonstrates outstanding professional achievement through teaching and scholarship, service to the university and the community, and professional leadership, nationally and internationally. In 2015, the honor was presented to Janet Tate, professor in the Department of Physics. Tate also received the College’s FA Gilfillan Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Science.

The D. Curtis Mumford Faculty Service Award recognizes individuals for exceptional, ongoing, dedicated and unselfish concern for and service to OSU faculty. 2015's honoree is Alix Gitelman, professor in the Department of Statistics.

The Promising Scholar Award recognizes the scholarship of junior faculty. The 2015 recipient is Lan Xue, an associate professor in the Department of Statistics.

The OSU Impact Award for Outstanding Scholarship recognizes OSU faculty who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in a specific project or activity resulting in substantial impact beyond the university setting. This year's honoree is Paul Ha-Yeon Cheong, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry.

The University Mentoring and Professional Development Award recognizes those who excel in supporting and encouraging OSU employees to participate in professional and/or educational development opportunities. The 2015 recipient is Staci Simonich, professor in the Departments of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology and in Chemistry. Simonich received double honors, also receiving the Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award, which honors graduate faculty who have extraordinary records of excellence and effectiveness in mentoring graduate students.

The Herbert F. Frolander Graduate Teaching Assistant Award recognizes graduate students who have excelled in their capacity as teaching assistants. For 2015, this honor is given to Christopher Almlie, a graduate teaching assistant with the Department of Chemistry and to Emerald Stacy, a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Mathematics. Read more on Emerald Stacy.

Other University Day events included the 2015 University Day OSU Expo designed to showcase the work and opportunities provided by units at OSU to fellow staff and faculty as well as a free lunch for attendees.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Faculty Senate President, Mike Bailey and the keynote presentation was made by Executive Director of Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed.

Heidi Schellman, professor and head of the Department of Physics, is the newly elected vice chair of the Commission on Particles and Fields within the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The newly elected officers met recently at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy.

IUPAP promotes international cooperation in physics and sponsors four types of international and regional conferences, including general, topical and special conferences as well as workshops in developing countries. IUPAP Commissions also sponsor Young Scientist Prizes to recognize outstanding early-career physicists in addition to awards recognizing excellence in the subfields of physics represented by the Commissions.

In addition to enhancing OSU Physics’ global reputation, Schellman has received the inaugural 2015 Mentoring Award by the American Physical Society’s (APS) Division of Particles and Fields.

The APS unit award recognizes physicists who have had an exceptional impact as mentors of particle physics scientists and students through teaching, research or science-related activities. The award honors contributions in the areas of mentoring early career physicists, including those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and for developing early career research and career development activities.

Schellman received the award last week at the 2015 meeting of the APS Division of Particles and Fields hosted by the University of Michigan, Department of Physics.

“I was very surprised and honored to receive this award," said Schellman. “I try to maintain connections with all of my former students and apparently they remember me, too. It has been a real thrill seeing them grow into scientific leaders.”

Schellman joined OSU’s Physics Department last year following an outstanding career as Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University’s Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences. She had been on the faculty there since 1990. In her extensive career as a physicist, Schellman has not only made pioneering contributions in the area of experimental high energy physics, but has also had an extraordinary impact on the careers of scores of young scientists and students.

The Mentoring Award committee commended Schellman for “three decades of exceptional mentoring of students and colleagues throughout their careers, providing guidance regardless of affiliation, serving as a role model, and establishing a culture of service to others.”

At OSU, Schellman has already formed a research group with two undergraduates, Gabriel Nowak and Evan Peters. All undergraduate physics majors are required to complete a research thesis so Gabriel and Evan a getting a head start analyzing data from the MINERvA neutrino experiment at Fermilab. One of Schellman’s goals as Head of the Physics Department is to increase research opportunities for physics students, both at Oregon State across the country through national summer research programs.

“Heidi Schellman is an exceptional mentor, teacher and scientific leader,” said Sastry G. Pantula, Dean of the College of Science.

“I am thrilled that she has been recognized with this tremendous national honor which speaks to her passion to mentor generations of physicists. We are extremely fortunate to have her leadership skills in the College and in the Department of Physics where she will have an incredible impact on students.”

Schellman’s dedicated support and encouragement of early career physicists is unparalleled say her students. Her award, says former student Geralyn (Sam) Zeller, is a testament to the loyalty and admiration of a large number of early career physicists—graduate students, postdocs and junior faculty—whom Schellman has taken under her wing over the years.

“Personally speaking, I am one of the people who has been a beneficiary of Heidi’s vigilant support and continued mentoring," said Zeller, who was Schellman’s Ph.D. student at Northwestern and currently leads a team of more than 100 physicists at Fermilab on the MicroBooNE experiment.

"Being a woman in physics has not always been easy, and I would not have stayed in physics if it had not been for Heidi,” added Zeller.

At Northwestern, Schellman served as Associate Dean for Research in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences from 2004-2007 where she successfully reconfigured funding packages to increase guaranteed support for humanities graduate students from four to five years.

As department chair she focused on improving support for undergraduate students in Introductory Physics courses by creating smaller classes and introducing drop-in tutoring.

Schellman has also developed innovative courses to better prepare students from underrepresented groups for successful careers in academia. These include a data analysis and programming course to prepare students for research in their junior and senior years, a rigorous Qualifying Boot Camp course for graduate students and a course on research conduct.

Although widely admired for her unstinting guidance and mentorship, Schellman remains modest about her impact on the careers of many physicists.

“When I told Heidi she had won the award she was obviously surprised! She said, ‘I thought everyone did that.’ It’s proof of Heidi’s generosity and selflessness that she doesn’t realize how exceptional she really is,” said Robert Bernstein who was in charge of the Mentoring Award and is a member of the executive committee of APS’s Division of Particles and Fields (DFP).

“Everyone she works with is touched by her care and hard work for others. The DPF is honored to give her this Inaugural Award,” added Bernstein.

Schellman’s leadership and role as a mentor is matched by her achievements as a particle physicist. Her research has focused on measurements of proton structure and electroweak parameters. She is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and is an outstanding researcher.

Schellman has served as consultant on technical issues related to high-energy and nuclear physics for the U.S. Department of Energy and is currently a member of the scientific advisory panels for the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), for Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York and for the Jefferson National Laboratory in Virginia.

She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Stanford University and her Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley.