Niblack Research Scholars add 13 to roster
F
or 13 students at Oklahoma State University, their careers in research are being jump-started. These undergraduates have been selected as Niblack Research Scholars for the 2021-22 school year, earning them an $8,000 scholarship and the opportunity to conduct research. Dr. John Niblack and his wife, Heidi, have funded the Niblack Research Scholars program at OSU for 17 years. The program allows these students to perform cutting-edge research in various fields under the supervision of faculty mentors. “Science is hard to do. You all are like musicians learning how to play your instrument. Learning how to play a violin at a high skill level is not easy to do,”
Niblack told the 2020 Niblack scholars. “Once you get past that, then you can begin to be more creative. You can put your own spin on it and write your own music.” Niblack graduated from OSU in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Illinois before becoming vice chairman of Pfizer Inc. As a scientist for the international pharmaceutical giant, he was responsible for Pfizer’s Global Research and Development Division, where he directed research into drugs for viral illnesses, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Niblack retired in 2002 and founded the Niblack Research Scholarship program in 2004.
THE 2020-21 SCHOLARS, HOMETOWNS AND AREAS OF RESEARCH:
Alex Bias Orlando, Florida Chemical engineering, mathematics, political science
Rio Bonham Tishomingo, Oklahoma Biosystems and agricultural engineering
Jillian Gore Pryor, Oklahoma Zoology (pre-veterinary science option)
Manoj Jagadeesh Stillwater Microbiology/cell and molecular biology
Hunter McConnell Owasso, Oklahoma Animal science (animal biotechnology option)
Seth Robbins Pauls Valley, Oklahoma Mechanical/ aerospace engineering
Carson Raper Stillwater Natural resource ecology and management
Karley White Mannford, Oklahoma Chemical engineering: biochemical/ biomedical sciences, pre-med
Carson Wright Beggs, Oklahoma Biochemistry and molecular biology
NOT PICTURED: Serge Andre Po Abit Stillwater Biochemistry and molecular biology
Andrew Thomas Fairview, Oklahoma Microbiology and molecular genetics
Garrett Thornton Duncan, Oklahoma Physics
62 O S U R E S E A R C H M AT T E R S
Mejalaa Mega Jayaseelan Stillwater Chemical engineering
