OSU names 2013-14 Niblack Research Scholars

Oklahoma State University has selected 15 undergraduate students to participate in the 2013-14 Niblack Research Scholars program.  Funded by a gift from OSU alumnus John Niblack, each student will receive an $8,000 scholarship and will have the unique opportunity to conduct research in a university lab, assisted by a faculty sponsor and graduate student mentor.

The 2013-14 Niblack Research Scholars are:

·       Carol Abraham, an engineering/pre-med major from Stillwater, Okla.
·       Christian Cook, an animal science major from Ft. Worth, Texas
·       Ashley Graupman, a zoology major from Forest City, Mo.
·       Sydnee Homeyer, a physiology major from Arlington, Texas
·       Brandon Hubbard, a physiology and psychology major from Kingfisher, Okla.
·       Colin Jackson, a microbiology major from Broken Bow, Okla.
·       Cierra Keith, a biological sciences major from Oklahoma City, Okla.
·       Lindsay King, an animal science major from Oakland, Neb.
·       Jonathan Luscomb, a chemical engineering major from Claremore, Okla.
·       Julia Matera, an animal science and biochemistry major from Columbia, Mo.
·       Maeghan Murie-Harting, a chemistry major from Cleveland, Okla.
·       Jessica Neal, an animal science and biotechnology major from Duncan, Okla.
·       Madison O’Meara, a psychology major from Edmond, Okla.
·       Jonathan Overton, a biosystems and agricultural engineering major from Yukon, Okla.
·       Micah Webb, a physics major from Altus, Okla.

Videos about the students and their research are available at http://research.okstate.edu/nrs

Niblack, who attributes his own pursuit of research as a profession to the experience he received as an undergraduate at OSU, says he funds the program to give young people that same opportunity.  Niblack is the former vice chairman of Pfizer Inc.  He worked as an active scientist for the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company from 1967-1980 directing research into drugs for viral illnesses, cancer and autoimmune disorders.  He was appointed director of research for the company’s U.S. laboratories in 1980 and named president of Pfizer’s Central Research Division in 1990.  He became vice chairman in 1993 and retired in 2002.

The Niblack Research Scholars will make presentations about their findings during OSU Research Week, Feb. 17-21, 2014.