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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Taralyn "Tari" Tan, a senior majoring in biochemistry-biophysics at Oregon State University, has been selected one of 20 second team All-American scholars by USA Today, as part of its All-USA College Academic Team.

There were hundreds of nominees from four-year colleges nationwide, and only 20 students selected for first, second, and third teams.

“I am very honored to receive this award, particularly because my research has been important to me,” Tan said. “I have invested a lot of time and energy into this project, so it is gratifying to be recognized for it.”

A senior with research interests in the neurosciences, Tan has twice participated in OSU's Summer Undergraduate Research Program sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She also was named the top speaker at the program symposium in 2006.

“Tari is outstandingly qualified for this award and I am delighted that she received it,” said Kevin Ahern, director of the summer research program. “She has been active in research since day one at OSU and her scientific insights have been at the graduate level for as long as I have known her.”

Tan was attracted to OSU by its premed program, with its promise of shadowing a physician and working in a lab.

“I cannot envision a better undergraduate experience,” Tan said. “I’ve been in a lab every single day since my first day as a freshman. All my friends are working in labs. You can start by taking research for credit, or you can start by washing glassware.”

As a sophomore, Tan was named a recipient of the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship, awarded to the top student researchers in science, math, and engineering. In 2007, Tan was one of two students in the nation to receive the Gladys Anderson Emerson Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by the Iota Sigma Pi national honorary sorority for excellence in chemistry or biochemistry.

Tan is also the president and founder of Sigma Delta Omega, an OSU sorority supporting women in science, and co-editor of The Catalyst, a new OSU publication. She plans to pursue a doctorate in the neurosciences after graduating from OSU this spring.