Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The 2010 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Program at Oregon State University has selected 47 undergraduate students for fellowships in the biological sciences, allowing them to spend their summer doing original research with faculty mentors.

Students will conduct studies in areas ranging from coral reefs and molecular biology to pharmaceuticals. Most of this year's students attend OSU. Other schools represented include Stanford, Vasser and USC.

Funding for this program, which is in its 12th year at OSU, is provided by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. It's one part of a larger initiative at OSU to enhance biology instruction for college and pre-college students.

Acceptance into the competitive program is based on the stated interests, future plans, academic record and potential for success of applicants. Fellows will be paid $4,000 for the 11-week program.

According to Dan Arp, dean of the University Honors College at OSU and program director for the grant, the participants will meet with each other on a regular basis during the summer and then take part in a symposium Sept. 23-24 to present their research results.

Additional support for the program this year came from the university's URISC program, University Honors College, the Cripps Scholarship fund, the Jaworski Scholarship fund, the Johnson Scholarship Fund, Dr. Harrison Ofiyai and numerous research grants from the National Science Foundation and other agencies.

"Oregon State University has long recognized the unique educational value of an individual research experience," said Kevin Ahern, faculty coordinator for the summer fellowship projects. "The Howard Hughes grant substantially increases the number of students who are able to participate in this intense, full-time research experience over a several-month period."

More than 400 students have participated in the program during its 12 years at OSU. For more information on the program, contact Kevin Ahern at his e-mail address: ahernk@onid.orst.edu

Fellowship recipients for 2010 include:

Beaverton, Ore.

• Xiao-Yue Han, Bioengineering
• Sita Ping, Biology
• *Danika Kusuma, General Science

Bellingham, Wash.

• *Chelsea Parker, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Bend, Ore.

• Bailey Lindenmaier, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Boise, Idaho

• Kelly Crotty, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• *Paul Munson, Microbiology and Chemistry
• Katherine Tai. Biochemistry and Biophysics

Canby, Ore.

• *Anna Vigeland, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

• *Caitlin Crimp, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Corvallis, Ore.

• Sarah Hill-Skinner, Biology
• Brenda Niu, Biological Sciences and Psychology
• Katharina Scholz, Biology
• Mattie Squire, Biology
• Ken White, Chemistry
• Sean McIntyre, Biology

Eugene, Ore.

• Taylor Bendt, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Jacki Coburn, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Happy Valley, Ore.

• *Callia Palioca, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Robert Ursu, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Lake Oswego, Ore.

• Sheena Wheeler, Fisheries and Wildlife
• Wendel Raymond, Zoology

Lakeview, Ore.

• Anneke Tucker, Bioresource Research

McMinnville, Ore.

• *Emma Herdener, Zoology

Milwaukie, Ore.

• *Nick Lowry, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Brian Phan, Biology

Portland, Ore.

• Thao Cao, Biology
• *Abby McArthur, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Julia McConigle, Botany and Plant Pathology
• Maria Nguyen, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• *Paulina Nguyen, General Science
• Johanna Steinbrecher, Zoology
• *Mitchell Truong, Chemical Engineering
• Anatoliy Vlasenko, Biology
• Courtney Wilson, Botany and Plant Pathology

Salem, Ore.

• Hannah Raines, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• *Rachel Rasberry, Chemical Engineering
• Margo Roemeling, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Jonathan Yih, Bioengineering

Sherwood, Ore.

• Jared Streich, Botany and Plant Pathology

Sweet Home, Ore.

• *Erika Snow, Bioresource Research

Tigard, Ore.

• Megan Liu, undeclared

Umatilla, Ore.

• Uriel Aparacio, Biology

West Linn, Ore.

• Taylor Newlin, Biochemistry and Biophysics
• William Gibson, Biology

Winchester, Ore.

• *Anantnoor Brar, Biochemistry and Biophysics

* Denotes member of the OSU University Honors College