ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter

Join us in welcoming Michaela!🐳

Michaela Kratofil graduated with honors from Michigan State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. Following graduation, she worked as a Research Biologist at Cascadia Research Collective, assisting with conservation efforts on cetaceans in the Hawaiian Islands. After a couple of years, Michaela started her graduate program at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute with the support of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Through her Ph.D. research, she aims to understand how aspects of the physical environment and social structure influence the movements and space use of Hawaiian false killer whales.

Congrats to Jesse A. Laney on defending his PhD in Integrative Biology! 🏔️🦉

To support Jesse during his Defense, virtually, click here: https://beav.es/cEr

Join us in welcoming OSU ARCS Scholar, Aren Lampman!🌟

Aren Lampman received his undergraduate degree in mathematics with an emphasis in probability and statistics and graduated magna cm laude from the University of Arizona. Aren enjoyed attending advanced abstract mathematics classes and participating in undergraduate mathematical research in the field of combinatorics. He also worked as a mathematics teaching assistant and taught calculus and discrete mathematics to other undergraduate students. With a love of probability and statistical mathematics, Aren aspires to obtain a Ph.D. in mathematics from Oregon State University and conduct research in probability involving improving probability distribution methods to better analyze randomness and chaos in scientific systems.

Oregon State University

What a great turnout at today’s OSU College of Agricultural Sciences Site Visit & Lab Tour! 💡

Dean Staci Simonich, as well as several ARCS Scholars made this event extra special!

Join us in welcoming UO ARCS Scholar, Brittany Lyon!🎉

Brittany Rae Lyon received her undergraduate degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science at California State University of Sacramento (CSUS) in 2020. Following her undergraduate degree, she continued on to the master’s program in exercise science at CSUS with a focus on Parkinson’s disease (PD) and exercise. Brittany’s thesis research involves the evaluation of muscle-derived exercise-induced biomarkers and their potential neuroprotective benefits for PD and related conditions. She graduated in the summer of 2023 with a 4.0 GPA. Brittany will be pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon to continue research on PD and early biomarker detection.

University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences

It's National Volunteer Week!

We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers who continue to grow our mission!

ARCS Oregon was founded in 2004 by: Mary Ann Lockwood, Nancy Fischer, Cornelia Stevens, Ellen Richardson, and Sharon Hewitt

Happy Earth Day 🌱

ARCS Scholars are finding solutions to the world's biggest problems!

From researching noble gases in ice cores to researching catalytic technologies used for after-treatment abatement in diesel vehicle exhaust systems, our scholars are doing it all!

Support STEM Education by making a gift today: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=b87e2715-3fc5-4bab-bdd0-1be7b87ea7d1&envid=p-QXYPqNluUEuh0hRcfqc-rw

Thank you to the dedicated ARCS members who joined us in presenting our Draft Strategic Plan yesterday!

Becoming an ARCS Member means more opportunities to learn about our remarkable scholars!🎉 (And even work alongside them!)

There is still time to join ARCS via our new Membership Pilot Program. Click here to learn more: https://oregon.arcsfoundation.org/join-arcs-oregon/new-members-and-alumni

Pictured from left to right:
Hillary Le, Olivia Williams, Mary Ruth Shifflet, Grace Su, Hannah Kravitz, Gretchen Engbring, Rachel Robinson, Krista Habing.

Join ARCS in welcoming OHSU Scholar, Kayla Maanum!🎉

Kayla received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 2019. For her Honor’s Thesis in Marla Feller’s lab, she researched the development and organization of neurons in the mouse retina. After graduating, she studied an opioid-sensitive neural circuit that signals aversion to pain in Elyssa Margolis’s lab at UCSF. In 2021 she joined the MD/Ph.D. Program at OHSU School of Medicine OHSU. She recently started her graduate studies in the Behavioral Neuroscience Graduate Program and joined Tianyi Mao’s lab in the Vollum Institute. Her work utilizes ex vivo electrophysiology to elucidate how the insular cortex integrates diverse neuronal information.

Join us in supporting ARCS Scholar Alum and OSU Student, Amy Glen, for her thesis defense. Read more about her research below.

Register Here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=144cbaad-c70f-427f-8d63-26c26399e44d&envId=p-QXYPqNluUEuh0hRcfqc-rw&zone=usa

Amy's work is focused on computational techniques for helping biomedical researchers make better use of the vast amounts of data available today. Biomedical data and knowledge are accumulating rapidly in today's world - about diseases, proteins, genes, drugs, and more - but such databases are often siloed and use incompatible formats. This limits their utility for techniques like data mining that allow us to glean insights (such as what drugs might be repurposed to treat rare diseases) by reasoning across such data as a whole. She works to improve methods for linking and integrating such biomedical data in an automated fashion, making it more accessible and useful for researchers.

Join us in welcoming OHSU School of Medicine Scholar, Marina Nimmo!

Marina Nimmo received her undergraduate degree in BioHealth Sciences from Oregon State University, where she was the president of Diabeavers (Students With Diabetes). She then received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on fluid mechanics from Portland State University, where she was the Event Coordinator for the Society of Women Engineers. After graduating, she joined Pacific Diabetes Technologies, where she has been a contributor in engineering and chemistry for prototype development. She looks forward to working with Dr. Rugonyi, where she will combine her engineering and science backgrounds in cardiovascular research. Upon completion of her doctoral program, she hopes to pursue a fulfilling career in academia.

Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Jayathi Murthy, President of Oregon State University and Member of ARCS Foundation Oregon, as she receives well-deserved recognition as a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal.

Let's celebrate President Murthy and all the extraordinary women of ARCS Foundation Oregon!

Join us in welcoming UO student, Julissa Ortiz-Delatorre!🎉

Julissa Ortiz-Delatorre received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science at San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2019. Following her undergraduate career, she attended the Kinesiology Master of Science program at SFSU where she developed a novel protocol for testing tendon nano-mechanics via atomic force microscopy. She graduated in the summer of 2022 and was awarded the Distinguished Graduate Award. Julissa will now be pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Physiology at the University of Oregon and will conduct research in the Muscle Cellular Biology Laboratory.

University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences

We are grateful to all the extraordinary women in STEM and wish you a happy !

Join us in welcoming Oregon State University Scholar, Matthew Raffel!

Matthew Raffel is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Oregon State University (OSU). He previously received his H.B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from the Honors College at OSU in 2023. As an undergraduate, Matthew maintained a 4.0 GPA, received the Runner-up recognition for the prestigious Joe Hendricks Scholarship, and was selected to be part of the Outstanding Scholar Program, a highly competitive, multi-year fellowship program for OSU Ph.D. students. Mathew’s current research focuses on improving the computational efficiency of natural language processing applications, which has resulted in multiple publications, including ACL and ICML.

College of Engineering - Oregon State University

Kicking off Women's History Month with a spotlight on our remarkable member, Ana Lucia Fonseca!

As OSU's Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Ana Lu's presence in ARCS fills our community and organization with knowledge and warmth. Read more about her inspiring story here: https://oregon.arcsfoundation.org/news/member-spotlight-ana-lucia-fonseca

Last chance to register tomorrow's Virtual Philanthropy Lunch & Learn Session on Planned Giving, Thursday, February 29 from 12 - 1 pm.

We will be joined by Rochelle Makela-Goodman, Assistant VP of Gift Planning at OHSU Foundation. Rochelle has extensive experience as a gift planning professional holding previous leadership positions at Princeton University and Lehigh University.

Click here to register: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=f58e8c31-f77a-4df3-803e-0e75f096745c&envId=p-QXYPqNluUEuh0hRcfqc-rw&zone=usa

We hope you join us and please share with anyone else who might benefit from this talk!

Unlock Potential: Elevate Your Impact!

Register now for a transformative educational series designed for board members, volunteers, and staff. Expand your fundraising prowess and build strategic relationships for substantial philanthropic investments.

Seize the opportunity and register today!

Click here to register: https://arcsfoundation-my.sharepoint.com/personal/alexb_arcsoregon_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Falexb%5Farcsoregon%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FLunch%20%26%20Learn%20Flyer%20%285%29%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Falexb%5Farcsoregon%5Forg%2FDocuments

Join us in supporting ARCS Scholar Alum, M. Kelsey Lane, at her PhD Dissertation Defense.

Click here to register and receive more details: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=67d4c8c7-ddd7-4312-904c-6be9dec927d4&envId=p-QXYPqNluUEuh0hRcfqc-rw&zone=usa

In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting extraordinary Black leaders in STEM!

Meet Walter Lincoln Hawkins.

Walter defied the limitations of his time, rising above challenges to become a beacon of innovation in STEM. As the first African American scientist at AT&T's Bell Labs, he not only shattered barriers but revolutionized the telecommunications landscape with his groundbreaking research in polymer chemistry. His tireless dedication to pushing the boundaries of science led to transformative discoveries, including the development of the 'plastic cable sheath,' a revolutionary material still in use today. Beyond his remarkable technical accomplishments, Hawkins was a mentor and advocate, guiding countless disadvantaged and minority youth towards brighter futures through education and empowerment. His legacy, marked by prestigious awards and accolades, serves as a testament to the enduring power of resilience, intellect, and perseverance.

Read more about Walter: https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/w-hawkins

Join us in welcoming Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Scholar, Celina Sanchez!

Celina Sanchez received her undergraduate degree in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry and a minor in genetics in from Montana State University, where she conducted structural biochemical research in Dr. Martin Lawrence’s lab and was a Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Scholar. After graduating, she joined the Ph.D. program at OHSU, in Dr. Joshua Saldivar’s lab. Her current research uses quantitative image-based cytometry to analyze the dysregulation of nuclear dynamics during the cell cycle in cancer.

Join us on Monday, April 8th, as we delve into a crucial conversation on transforming youth mental health!

Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=9e5817d6-f241-451d-9a59-cfca966b8d58&envId=p-QXYPqNluUEuh0hRcfqc-rw&zone=usa

Dr. Bonnie J. Nagel, leading the charge at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), will share insights, innovations, and solutions to address this pressing issue. Reception at 5:30pm, Lecture at 7pm. See you there!

In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting extraordinary Black leaders in STEM!

Meet Estelle Massey Osborne.

Estelle was born at a time when only 14 of 1,300 of the nation’s Nursing Schools admitted Black students and the American Nursing Association did not accept Black nurses as members. Despite these tremendous barriers, Estelle became the first Black woman to receive a graduate degree in Nursing, opening up the field to women of color.

Read more about Estelle
https://nursing.nyu.edu/news/celebrating-estelle-massey-osborne-nurse-trailblazer

Please join ARCS Oregon in welcoming OHSU School of Medicine student, Frederika Sullivan!

Frederika Sullivan graduated magna cm laude in Biology at the University of Louisiana with a minor in chemistry and research experience in immunology. Following graduation, Frederika worked at UC Santa Cruz where she utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study cortical development. In 2022, she began studying cortical development in the context of autism using iPSCs at OHSU. Continuing her studies at OHSU, Frederika is now a Ph.D. student in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. She is interested in the interactions of the immune system and brain during neurodevelopment. In her free time, Frederika creates art with various media.

Please join us in supporting ARCS scholar, Marie Tosa, at her defense this Wednesday, 12/6 at 11 am at Oregon State University in ALS 4001.

Marie's topic is, "Leveraging next-generation natural history to examine biota and evaluate the role of old growth in temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest."

To join via Zoom, please email [email protected].

The best part of our Celebrate STEM event? The scholar poster presentations!

You can view the posters digitally by visiting our website or clicking here, https://oregon.arcsfoundation.org/scholars/scholar-posters-0

Join us in welcoming Oregon State University College of Pharmacy student, Shaz Sutherland!

Shaz Sutherland graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in May 2023 with a BS in Biochemistry. Throughout her time at CSUDH, she was a part of the NIH-Funded Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program. In the Pederson lab, she focused on investigating the protein-carbohydrate complex formed by p17, a glycosaminoglycan interacting protein secreted by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1). In the McCauley lab, she dedicated her efforts to identifying fungal natural products that exhibited cytotoxic properties against a U87 glioblastoma cell line. With an interest in natural product drug discovery, Shaz aspires to pursue a Ph.D. and contribute to the development of innovative therapeutics. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, trying new foods, and going to the beach.