Nicole Biddinger, a senior from Bartlesville High School, interned in the Jeyasingh lab last summer conducting experiments to understand thermal tolerance in ancient and extant Daphnia genotypes that were resurrected from resting eggs in lake sediments. Working closely with OSU-Zoology senior, Rosa Yorks, Nicole found that ancient genotypes were more sensitive to thermal stress compared to more recent genotypes. In March, Nicole was awarded a $1,500 scholarship to represent the midwest at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (Dayton, OH). In the first week of May, Nicole competed against students from across the continental US, and Puerto Rico and won first place, which included a $12,000 award.

Zoology assistant professor Mary Towner co-authored a recent paper entitled "A model comparison approach shows stronger support for economic models of fertility decline" in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper has been covered in the media.

Matt Anderson, a graduate student in Dr. Stan Fox’s lab, received an Honorary Marshall Award from Oklahoma State University. The award honors graduate students that have demonstrated scholarly achievement, as evidence by academic performance and discipline-appropriate scholarly contributions, and capture the essence of OSU’s land-grant mission. Matt Anderson was one of the two marshals selected at the PhD level.

Matt Anderson, moving directly from the B.S. to the Ph.D., has shown how he is a part of OSU and its land-grant mission. Matt more than any of advisor Fox’s previous graduate students over his 36-year OSU career has committed himself not only to an outstanding doctoral dissertation, but also immersing himself into the innovative educational aspect of our university and its service to the community, OSU and beyond. Early on, Matt was a big part of the innovative discovery-teaching style of our large Introductory Biology course, writing parts of the laboratory manual and later as a T.A. Unlike most others, Matt was comfortable in guiding students to their own conclusions in lab using the scientific method, rather than giving the objectives at the onset like in most lab courses. Further underscoring Matt’s community activities and outreach, his CV lists numerous contributions as instructor to pre-college Upward Bound programs, mentor to special NSF and NIH programs, mentor to a Niblack Research Scholar, maintenance of public live animal displays, co-advisor to the OSU Herp Club, interactive snake talks to numerous groups from pre-school, through middle and high school, university, and even retired seniors, and mentoring a horde of undergraduate researchers. Matt has published his work in impressive scholarly outlets and made oral presentations at national and international scientific meetings. Matt Anderson is a strong part of “INNOVATE - CREATE - EDUCATE - GO STATE!”. Congratulations from your department!

Zoology Professor Emeritus Herbert Bruneau, 84, died April 12th, 2013 in Stillwater, OK. Dr. Bruneau was born in Ontario, Canada in 1928. He received the bachelor's degree in Zoology from McGill University, and the Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Texas. He was a zoology professor at Oklahoma State University for 40 years and was long associated with undergraduate education in the life sciences. He taught/co-taught the General Genetics class at least 75 times and was deeply committed to inspiring young biologists. Dr. Bruneau was known among fellow faculty for his love of his wife, Betty, their travels together, and a good glass of wine. He endeavored to teach many of us about the subtleties of oenology. After his retirement in 1995 Dr. Bruneau remained an active supporter of the Department of Zoology Seminar Series and continued to participate each semester until his death. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to OSU Foundation: The Herbert and Betty Bruneau Endowed Zoology Seminar Fund, c/o Loren Smith, Department Chair, Department of Zoology, 501 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.



Nicole Biddinger, a senior from Bartlesville High School, interned in the Jeyasingh lab last summer conducting experiments to understand thermal tolerance in ancient and extant Daphnia genotypes that were resurrected from resting eggs in lake sediments. Working closely with OSU-Zoology senior, Rosa Yorks, Nicole found that ancient genotypes were more sensitive to thermal stress compared to more recent genotypes. Nicole has presented this work at multiple regional and national competitions. She won six awards at the Bartlesville Science Fair, and has been invited to present her work at: Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Phoenix, AZ), Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting (San Antonio, TX), GENIUS Olympiad (Oswego, NY), and US Stockholm Junior Water Prize (Portland, OR). She also competed at the Oklahoma State Science & Engineering Fair and won three awards, including the Jimmie Pigg Outstanding Research in Aquatic Biology award. Finally, she was awarded $1,500 scholarship and an invitation to represent the midwest at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (Dayton, OH).  

In December 2012, thirty students graduated with B.S. degrees in biological science, physiology, or zoology. Edwin Villert (B.S., Zoology; who was also featured in an article in the Stillwater NewsPress) was selected to represent the College of Arts and Sciences and carried the college gonfalon in the Student Processional. Congratulations to Edwin and our graduates!