Contact: Kelly Green | Research Communications | 405-744-5827 | kelly.green@okstate.edu
OSU selects 2008-2009 Niblack Research Scholars
(September 24, 2008 Stillwater, OK) – Oklahoma State University has selected 12 undergraduate students for the 2008-2009 Niblack Research Scholars program. Thanks to the continued generosity of OSU alumnus Dr. John Niblack, these students will receive a one-year $8,000 scholarship and will have the unique opportunity of conducting research at the undergraduate level.
The 2008-2009 Niblack Research Scholars are:
- Tammy Austin, sophomore, microbiology, Stillwater
- Christie Backoulou, junior, nutritional sciences, Stillwater
- Daman Bareiss, junior, mechanical engineering, Coyle
- Lauren Colom, junior, biochemistry, Stillwater
- Drew Dawson, junior, chemical engineering, Stillwater
- Adam Benjamin Greer, junior, nutritional sciences, Tulsa
- Eric Lee, junior, biochemistry, Edmond
- Katelyn Patterson, sophomore, animal science, Sublette, Kan.
- Emily Sharp, junior, biochemistry, Broken Bow
- Valentin Sluch, junior, biochemistry, Stillwater
- Markus Vasquez, junior, physics, Wichita, Kan.
- Lauren White, sophomore, zoology, Idabel
Dr. Niblack is a retired Pfizer executive who attributes his decision to pursue research as a profession to his experiences in the lab as an undergraduate at OSU. He said he funds the program to give other OSU students that same opportunity.
“It’s always nice to see all the bright and shining new scientists,” Niblack said during his recent visit to Stillwater. “It’s great to see them all in action.”
The NRS program pairs each scholar with a graduate student mentor and a faculty sponsor who oversee the scholar’s research. The intent of the program is not to provide faculty members with assistants but to provide students with a valuable, hands-on research experience not available to most undergraduate students. The scholars commit to working at least two hours a week in the lab during the fall and spring semesters and at least 20 hours a week for two months during the summer.
“Our students are so fortunate to have this opportunity,” said Stephen McKeever, OSU vice president for research and technology transfer. “Because of this program, many of them will now be better prepared to make decisions about graduate school and their profession.”
The 2008-2009 Niblack Research Scholars will make presentations about their work during OSU’s Research Week, Feb. 16-20, 2009.
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 32,000 students across its five-campus system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and about 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world. CREATE - INNOVATE - EDUCATE - GO STATE!
The 2008-2009 Niblack Research Scholars
Pictured left to right: Emily Sharp, biochemistry; Tammy Austin, microbiology; Katelyn Patterson,
animal science; Lauren Colom, biochemistry; Drew Dawson, chemical engineering;
Daman Bareiss, mechanical engineering; Dr. John Niblack; Valentin Sluch,
biochemistry; Eric Lee, biochemistry; Lauren White, zoology; Adam Benjamin Greer,
nutritional sciences; Markus Vasquez, physics; Christie Backoulou, nutritional sciences
