Awards and recognition

Niblack Research Scholars add 13 to roster

For 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

Andrew Thomas

Fairview, Oklahoma Microbiology and molecular genetics

Garrett Thornton

Duncan, Oklahoma Physics

Jillian Gore

Pryor, Oklahoma Zoology (pre-veterinary science option)

NOT PICTURED:

Serge Andre Po Abit

Stillwater Biochemistry and molecular biology

Mejalaa Mega Jayaseelan

Stillwater Chemical engineering

Manoj Jagadeesh

Stillwater Microbiology/cell and molecular biology

Carson Raper

Stillwater Natural resource ecology and management

Hunter McConnell

Owasso, Oklahoma Animal science (animal biotechnology option)

Karley White

Mannford, Oklahoma Chemical engineering: biochemical/ biomedical sciences, pre-med

Seth Robbins

Pauls Valley, Oklahoma Mechanical/ aerospace engineering

Carson Wright

Beggs, Oklahoma Biochemistry and molecular biology

Cox Graduate Scholars

Two OSU students win Otto S. Cox Graduate Fellowships

At Oklahoma State University, the Otto S. Cox Graduate Fellowship for Genetic Research helps students stand out in the field of genetics research.

Students earn the annual fellowship by showcasing proven records of genetic inquiry and the potential to impact the discipline in the future.

This year, two OSU students won the fellowship, which provides a $1,000 stipend and recognition for pursuing challenging work in a rapidly evolving and critical research area.

“This past year and a half has brought a keen societal awareness regarding the importance of cutting-edge genetic and genomic knowledge, techniques, and technologies,” said OSU Vice President for Research Dr. Kenneth Sewell. “Whether they will devote their lives to understanding viruses, genetic diseases, personalized medicine or some other focus within the field, the Cox Fellowship accelerates the careers of the selected students, thus benefiting society with the fruits of their expertise.”

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENTS

Anna Goldkamp, a doctoral student studying molecular genetics in animal science.

Deepali Luthra, a doctoral student studying microbiology and molecular genetics.

Goldkamp, from St. Louis, Missouri, is focused on how the rate of protein translation impacts economically important traits in livestock.

“So far, my work has shown that genetic mutations we thought were insignificant may impact these traits,” she said.

Goldkamp is investigating how tRNA abundance can act as a source of genetic variation. The abundance of each tRNA can dictate the speed of translation and control protein content in a cell.

“It is deeply rewarding to know that I can contribute to knowledge through my research,” she said.

Goldkamp plans to use this award for travel and registration expenses for scientific conferences.

“One of my greatest opportunities for growth as a researcher is to develop relationships with my peers, exchange ideas and express the importance of my work through conferences,” she said.

Deepali Luthra works on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multidrugresistant opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.

“My research focuses on understanding the role of calcium in the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and investigating how it leads to enhanced virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its infection with epithelial cells at a cellular level,” Luthra said.

Luthra, from Ludhiana, India, says that she has been interested in research since an early age, especially pathogens and disease.

“Being here and researching to unravel the mysteries of host-pathogen interactions stimulates curiosity to understand the intricate pathogenesis of this disease,” she added.

For Luthra, this award means financial stability in her research and provides acknowledgment for the work she is doing.

“This is challenging genetic research and acknowledgement like this strengthens my potential for future post-doctoral job applications in the field of genetics and microbiology,” she said.

Anna Goldkamp

Deepali Luthra

President’s Fellows

Four Oklahoma State University professors were named 2021 President’s Fellows Faculty Research Award recipients

Clint P. Aichele, Jason Defreitas, Tom Oomens and Ryan Reuter each received $20,000 as part of the award.

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

CLINT P. AICHELE

Dr. Aichele, an associate professor and Lew Ward Faculty Fellow in the School of Chemical Engineering, is planning to use the funding from this award to develop microscale hydrogels for drug delivery with a focus on pulmonary diseases.

This project builds on Aichele’s previous experience working with zwitterionic hydrogels. He plans to hire a graduate student and grow his research group in this emerging area.

The outcomes of this work will serve as the basis for proposals Aichele plans to submit to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. JASON DEFREITAS

Dr. DeFreitas, an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation and director of the Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Lab, studies how the brain controls muscles, and how that control system changes with aging, disuse or training.

There are multiple factors that can cause muscles and nerves to degrade. However, current diagnostic assessments don’t detect muscle atrophy well.

DeFreitas plans to look at a newer technology that may allow for the earlier detection of muscle and nerve degradation.

Studies of this kind are difficult to perform and often difficult to get funding for. This award will provide the ability to collect preliminary data, demonstrating the feasibility of the study and lab capabilities at OSU to funding agencies. TOM OOMENS

Dr. Tom Oomens, an associate professor of virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is focused on understanding the life cycle of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More than 100,000 children die worldwide each year due to RSV, and there is no vaccine.

During the last five to 10 years, Oomens’ lab at OSU has begun to translate the accumulated knowledge into vaccine design and testing and has generated novel vaccine prototypes. This award will help the lab continue to develop and test safe vaccines.

This award will also help expand the lab’s infrastructure and train graduate students who will become the future generation of researchers to fight pandemics. RYAN REUTER

Dr. Reuter, an associate professor and George Chiga Animal Science Endowed Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Science, focuses on the management and nutrition of grazing livestock.

This award will allow his team to implement a project focused on how to effectively incorporate goats into Oklahoma cover cropping systems, which are currently grazed with cattle only. Goats have a unique dietary preference, and not much is known about how they would graze the cover crops, which are used to improve soil health.

It also will allow for graduate students to get training that will help them tackle the challenges of the future.

Regents Distinguished Research Award

Each year, OSU honors seven faculty members with the Regents Distinguished Research Award for their research excellence. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented an in-person ceremony, but winners were still named. They include:

Dr. Ronald B. Cox Jr. (from left), Dr. Susan Little, Dr. Haobo Jiang, Dr. Igor Karača, Dr. Bryan Edwards, Dr. James Stine Jr. Not pictured: Dr. Yingmei Liu.

IGOR KARAČA, DMA, Professor, Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music in the College of Arts and Sciences HAOBO JIANG, PH.D., Regents Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the Ferguson College of Agriculture RONALD B. COX JR., PH.D., Professor and Extension Specialist, George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Child and Family Resilience, Associate Director of Community Engagement, Center for Family Resilience in the College of Education and Human Sciences BRYAN EDWARDS, PH.D., Associate Professor, Joe Synar Chair, Department of Management in the Spears School of Business YINGMEI LIU, PH.D., Professor, Noble Foundation Chair, Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences JAMES STINE JR., PH.D., Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology SUSAN LITTLE, PH.D., Regents Professor, Krull-Ewing Professor in Veterinary Parasitology at the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine

Oklahoma State University

Office of the Vice President for Research

203 Whitehurst Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-1020

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