Decline of World's Coral Reefs
Dr. Rebecca Vega-Thurber
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OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Microbiology Student Studies SAR202 Near Bermuda
Rotten Eggs is a Good Smell!
Saving Atlantis
For bacteria that cheat, food is at the forefront
Bacteria susceptible to antibiotics express a resistance gene
Scientists at OSU, including Dr. Ryan Mueller, Microbiology, are investigating the effect of probiotics on the health of oyster larvae and their microbiome thanks to a grant from NOAA Sea Grant Program.
Micro grad student Julianna Donohoe, spent 10 weeks in Madrid, Spain at the Cajal Institute , a leading research center in neuroscience, where she assisted with research on Parkinson's Disease.
"Gut microbes' role in mammals' evolution starts to become clearer." Postdoctoral researcher Chris Gaulke, graduate students Holly Arnold and Ian Humphreys, and Assistant Professor Thomas Sharpton (OSU Microbiology) led an international collaboration that resolved which of the trillions of gut microbes are linked to the evolution of mammals, including humans.
Dr. Michael Kent, Microbiology, received the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award and the 2018 Agricultural Research Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award for his superior academic performance, professional renown and service to the University and the public.
"Saving Atlantis," a feature-length documentary on coral reefs produced by Oregon State University filmmakers, will be shown Aug. 31 through Sept. 6 at Darkside Cinema, 215 S.W. Fourth St., Corvallis. The first screening will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. Filmmakers David Baker and Justin Smith of Oregon State Productions will be on hand for a question-and-answer session with the audience following the film. Show times and ticket information: https://darksidecinema.com/[...]
Don't take our word for it, hear a personal account from one of our students about why science is better at Oregon State. Hear what Michelle has to say about microbiology and how it allowed her to combine her love of the ocean and studying the "little guys," bacteria, that live in the ocean.
Last weekend the College of Science provided a full day of community outreach for the 2018 DaVinci Days. Activities from Microbiology included strawberry DNA, fish parasites and cloning. See photos by Greg Bal.
The Helen Alford Hays Microbiology Scholarship: "Prepare Your Minds," Dr. Charles Hays, a Canadian science journalist, advised students during the annual scholarship luncheon. He is the son of Helen Alford Hays, a long-time microbiology instructor and advisor from 1955-1981.
Congratulations to Linda Bruslind for winning the 2018 Open Education Award. Dr. Linda Bruslind, Microbiology, senior instructor II and lead advisor in the Department of Microbiology in the College of Science received an award by Extended Campus for development of an online textbook, "Introduction to Microbiology". This online textbook helps to remove barriers to student success byprovidiong a free/open version text. The Open Education Award recognizes those who develop open textbooks or reusable digital components that help remove[...]
Dr. Maude David and Dr. Kenton Hokanson have recently joined the Department of Microbiology. Dr. David has a joint appointment in the College of Pharmacy and will focus on developing undergraduate curricula in bioinformatics. Dr. Hokanson is an instructor in Microbiology and BioHealth Sciences and will help develop an electrophysiology core facility in Biochem.
Dr. Yuan Jiang, Dr. Duo Jiang and Dr. Thomas Sharpton (Microbiology/Statistics) were awarded a prestigious four year $770K grant by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and NIH to study the human microbiome. This project will advance scientific understanding of the functions and operations of microbiomes by developing statistical methods and models to study biological interactions between microbes or between microbes and their host.
Hanby Middle School students get hands on lessons in microbiology. Photos and Story by Christien Laber
During a recent visit to OSU, the Hanby Girls STEM group interacted with members of the Department of Microbiology to learn about life at the microscopic level. As part of their two-day tour of the campus, the girls experienced hands on laboratory activities as well as short lessons on various principles of microbiology.
The department tour was divided into three activities lead by[...]
NASA-NAAMES Mission: Dr. Kim Halsey, OSU Microbiologist, Dr. Cleo Martin-Davies, OSU Postdoc, and Dr. Luis Bolanos, OSU Postdoc are headed for the North Atlantic along with 29 other scientists are onboard the ATLANTIS on a research vessel operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The purpose to investigate the ocean and aerosols for the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES). VIDEO OF DR. CLEO MARTIN-DAVIES[...]
Scientists are investigating the role microbiomes play in coral health, trying to identify those microbial traits that make coral reefs resilient as ocean temperatures rise and bleaching events accelerate. One group, the Global Coral Microbiome Project, led by OSU Microbiologist Dr. Rebecca Vega-Thurber is performing a global survey of reefs. READ FULL ARTICLE
By pretty much any measure, Vega Thurber (Microbiologist, Oregon State University) (Becky, to anyone who's met her at least once) is a badass marine biologist. She weathers bouts of seasickness like an old salt: “Take Bonine twice a day,” she advises, before noting dispassionately that “sometimes you end up barfing no matter what.” She pulls regular night-watch shifts alongside the crew of the research boat, TARA. And even after a grueling day of collection dives, followed by hours of coral[...]
Dr. Michael Kent was presented with the Outstanding Steward of Zebrafish Award by the Zebrafish Husbandry Association (ZHA) at the annual meeting at Aquaculture America 2018 in Las Vegas in recognition of his many years providing training and research in support of the health and welfare of laboratory zebrafish. The ZHA is an international organization devoted to “promoting and developing zebrafish husbandry standards through education, collaboration, and publication” and is comprised of research and veterinary professionals, facility managers, and representatives[...]
Oregon's "Blue Economy" Bolstered by Longstanding Partnership for Fish Health: A longstanding and fruitful collaboration that benefits fish health and sustainable economic growth in Oregon was recently reinforced by a five-year, $404,000 renewal of the Fish Health Graduate Research Fellowship in Microbiology at Oregon State University by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
With help from the department, undergraduate Aimee Nguyen attended the SACNAS National Stem Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in October. SACNAS stands for Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. This professional society's goal is to promote diversity and help minorities advance and succeed in the science field.
A microbiological version of the Anna Karenina principle is a new paradigm suggested by Dr. Rebecca Vega-Thurber, Dr. Jesse Zaneveld, and Graduate Student Ryan McMinds--one that has key implications for a more personalized approach to antibiotic therapy, management of chronic disease and other aspects of medical care. The principle gets its name from the opening line of the novel Anna Karenina by 19th cetury Russian author Leo Tolstoy: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its[...]
New research shows a species of diatom, a single-celled algae, thought to be asexual does reproduce sexually, and scientists learned it's a common compound - ammonium - that puts the ubiquitous organism in the mood. The findings, published today in PLOS One, may be a key step toward greater understanding of the evolution of sexual behavior and also have important biotechnology implications. “Our discoveries solve two persistent mysteries that have plagued diatom researchers,” said corresponding author Dr. Kimberly
Many of us have fond memories of Dr. William (Bill) Sandine, who died November 28, 2018 at the age of 90 in Allen Texas, with his wife Susan at his side. Bill received his Doctorate degree in Food Microbiology from OSU in 1958, studying the physiology and taxonomy of lactic acid bacteria. He joined the Microbiology faculty in 1959 and served the department for 35 years, becoming a distinguished professor before retiring in 1996. Among his many honors, in 2007, Bill was honored as an Alumnus Fellow by the OSU Alumni Foundation for outstanding achievements and contributions to society. He supervised 40 Masters and 38 Ph.D. degree students and authored over 200 publications. In addition, he garnered 22 patents important for dairy science that have provided support for young faculty in the department. During retirement, Bill played a lot of golf, enjoyed his family, was active in church, drove his Model A, hunted for antiques, traveled, and was an active member in Rotary serving humanitarian efforts. Bill was a true gentleman and we will all remember his laughter and smile.
SMALL TALK, The Microbiology Newsletter, Fall 2017 -- Welcome to the Department of Microbiology's Newsletter. The current newsletter contains information on undergraduates, updates from graduate students and postdoc researchers, faculty research, alumni and current innovation, hires, promotions, awards, and more! Archived Newsletters
PhD Thesis Defense RYAN MCMINDS, Rebecca Vega-Thurber Lab. The Evolution of Scleractinian Microbial Symbionts; December 14, Friday, 2:00 pm ALS 4001
UPCOMING SEMINARS: January 24, 2019; Dr. Michael Freitag: Chromatin-mediated gene silencing and genome staiblity in filamentous fungi.
February 7, 2019; Brooke Napier: You are what you eat: Western diet regulates immunity and response to sepsis independent of microbiome.
Courtney Armour, a Microbiology Graduate Student mentored by Microbiology Assistant Professor Dr. Thomas Sharpton, was recently awarded the inaugural Larry W. Martin and Joyce B. O'Neill Endowed Fellowship. 
The Martin-O'Neill Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student in the College of Science who demonstrates high achievement and whose research involves computational modeling.
Congratulations to Grace D'Angelo, Microbiology Alumna, awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program study/research award to Germany for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Zibigniew Sikora received a WIC Culture of Writing Award on the Effects of Solarization and Water Treatment on Microbial Communities in Soil. Mr. Sikora is a Senior in Microbiology and was nominated by Dr. Walt Ream.
Dr. Jerri Bartholomew, Head
Mary Fulton, Dept. Manager
Microbiology; Nash Hall 226
OSU, Corvallis, OR 97331
Microbiology: 541-737-4441
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