Contact: Jana Smith
Research Communications
405.744.5827
jana.smith@okstate.edu

OSU selects 2007-2008 Niblack Research Scholars

(Stillwater , OK , October 27, 2007) —OSU has selected twelve undergraduate students for the 2007-2008 Niblack Research Scholars Program. John Niblack's own research experience as an undergraduate student at OSU changed the course of his life and inspired him to establish a research program for undergraduate students interested in science.

By the end of the program, Niblack Research Scholars can demonstrate how the research experience enlarges their view of the world. As part of a research team, they learn quickly how performing research in a laboratory setting can change their lives and the lives of others.

“If we had better ways to expose students to science and scientists, I'm certain more of them would decide to pursue research as a profession. Our state and country could certainly use them,” said Niblack. The following undergraduate students were selected for the 2007-2008 Niblack Research Scholars Program:

• Jessica Abbey, junior, veterinary pathobiology and physiological sciences, Tulsa
• Justin R. Alexander, junior, biochemistry, Oologah
• Matt Atkins, junior, chemistry, Perkins
• Marla Carrick, junior, biochemistry, Pryor
• Brian Herrin, junior, biochemistry, Lindsay
• Chris Hoover, sophomore, biochemistry, Sapulpa
• Edward Manda, junior, biochemistry, Lusaka, Zambia
• Takahiro Nago, junior, chemistry, Ibara-Sh, Japan
• Braxton Nottingham, sophomore, biochemistry, Lawrence, Kan.
• Heather Schemet, junior, nutritional sciences, Owasso
• Tripti Shrivastava, sophomore, microbiology, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Will Woods, junior, microbiology, Ochelata

The Niblack Research Scholars Program is an undergraduate-graduate student research partnership with primary objective to develop and foster student interest in scholarly research within the science disciplines at OSU. Each undergraduate-graduate student pair works under the guidance and leadership of a faculty advisor.

Niblack, retired vice chairman of Pfizer Inc. and president of Global Research and Development at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, continues his support for OSU research through the undergraduate student program promoting scholarly activity in chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry, nutritional science and veterinary pathobiology and physiological sciences.

Niblack Research Scholars receive $2,000 for the fall and spring semesters and $4,000 in the summer. Mentors receive a summer stipend for their participation in the program. Scholars prepare a research report and a poster which they present during the OSU Research Symposium in the spring.

Oklahoma State University—an active $100M+ research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma—is home to researchers working in the fields of biotechnology, energy, nanotechnology, sensors and more to develop innovative solutions for application and commercialization in the global marketplace. For more information about OSU's research programs, visit http://www.vpr.okstate.edu.

Front row (left to right): Takahiro Nago, Ibara-Shi, Japan, junior, chemistry; Heather Schemet, Owasso, junior, nutritional sciences; Jessica Abbey, Tulsa, junior, veterinary pathobiology; Tripti Shrivastatva, Kathmandu, Nepal, sophomore, microbiology and molecular genetics; Matt Atkins, Perkins, junior, chemistry; Brian Herrin, Lindsay, junior, microbiology and molecular genetics.

Back row (left to right): Justin R. Alexander, Oologah, junior, animal science; Chris Hoover, Sapulpa, sophomore, biochemistry and molecular biology; Marla Carrick, Pryor, junior, microbiology; Will Woods, Ochelata, junior, microbiology and molecular genetics; Braxton Nottingham, Lawrence, Kan., sophomore, biochemistry and molecular biology (not pictured: Edward Manda, Lusaka, Zambia, junior, physics)