The world’s most urgent challenges are no longer held back by a shortage of data. They’re limited by our capacity to understand the mountains of information we generate every day. From climate modeling and environmental policy to biomedical research and artificial intelligence, data now underpins nearly every scientific and societal challenge. Preparing students for today’s careers, no matter the field, now requires fluency in data. It requires graduates who can move confidently between disciplines, translate complex analysis into clear decisions and understand the ethical responsibility that comes with influence.
This year’s research honorees are advancing knowledge at the frontiers of statistics, microbiome science and astrophysics, with discoveries that shape public health, global policy and our understanding of the universe. Their scholarship reflects both international impact and a deep commitment to mentoring, collaboration and research excellence at Oregon State.
As the head of the Department of Statistics, Lan Xue is steering a major expansion with the department’s first undergraduate degree, while also prioritizing mentorship and research.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world—but how did we get here, and where are we going next? Join us to hear Rachel Ward, an applied mathematician known for her work on machine learning, optimization and signal processing from the University of Texas at Austin, share a talk titled, “From bits to bots: a mathematical perspective on generative AI.” Whether you're studying STEM, already immersed in the field, curious about AI, or passionate about the future of technology, this lecture offers a compelling look at the science and mathematical principles behind the algorithms—and the opportunities ahead.
Statistics alumnus Steve Stehman honors his roots by giving back to Oregon State. His contributions recognize the invaluable education he received and pay tribute to one very special faculty member.
Mary Tunstall is a data analytics student set to graduate with her master’s degree. On the way, she discovered that remote learning never kept her from success. In a way, it brought her closer.
Cities are like organisms — they need immune systems. Viruses can reproduce rapidly, taking over cells and turning them into viral factories within hours. Individuals' immune systems need to rise to the challenge, but what happens when they can't, and a whole population gets sick?
Statistics often operates behind the scenes. It’s a field whose results are used in the analyses of papers from physics to psychology, yet its power is not widely understood. Associate Professor Sharmodeep Bhattacharyya wants to change that.
Since 1973 the Survey Research Center has been working with Oregon State faculty and state government agencies to help them conduct and analyze surveys.
Four-dimensional tissue self-assembly, integrated river health and ultra-tiny spectrometers: The 2022 College of Science Research and Innovation Seed (SciRIS) award recipients will use collaboration to fill critical knowledge gaps across numerous scientific disciplines to drive real-world impact.
