News

MATHEMATICS - The 2025-2026 Department of Mathematics Annual Newsletter is out now! See what is happening with our faculty, students, alumni and more.

PHYSICS - In June, Professor Brian Smith’s team was awarded a two-year, $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a prototype quantum network on the UO campus. “We have our work cut out for us, but our research will transform communications, sensors and computers,” said Smith, director of the Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular and Quantum Science.

EARTH SCIENCES - On June 25-26, more than 140 earthquake scientists, emergency managers, Tribal representatives, engineers, utility operators, and community leaders gathered at the University of Oregon’s Portland campus to tackle a common question that spreads across their fields: How can science better support decisions before, during, and after the next major Cascadia earthquake?

EARTH SCIENCES - In recent years, wildfires have increasingly affected Oregon and much of western North America. Due to many factors including climate change and land management practices, wildfires are intensifying and becoming more common both within and beyond our region. At the University of Oregon, researchers across disciplines are turning wildfire science into practical tools, strategies, and partnerships that help communities prepare, respond and adapt.

EARTH SCIENCES - Hilly and mountainous landscapes have a much greater ability to store carbon in the soil than previously thought, according to a new study co-led by College of Arts and Sciences researchers. “There was a misconception that mountainous areas would not hold much carbon because they’re so rapidly eroding and there’s not much soil,” said Josh Roering, an earth scientist at the UO.

Highlights from the June 15 University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremonies at Autzen Stadium and Matthew Knight Arena.

ANTHROPOLOGY, ENGLISH, PSYCHOLOGY - Eight University of Oregon instructors across campus were celebrated for their remarkable work in the classroom. Among the winners, half are in the College of Arts and Sciences: Alison Carter, associate professor anthropology; Katelyn McDonough, assistant professor anthropology; Anne Mannering, assistant teaching professor and director in psychology; and Courtney Thorsson, associate professor of English.

BIOLOGY - The annual Tykeson Teaching Awards were granted to faculty in archaeology, biology and cinema studies. Laurel Pfeifer-Meister was honored for her work with students in a three-course series. Pfeifer-Meister is an associate teaching professor in the Department of Biology and the lead instructor for the Honors/Accelerated Biology 281, 282 and 283 laboratory sequence.

BIOLOGY, HISTORY - Associate Professor Melissa Graboyes and the students in her Global Health Research Group study historical materials to better understand malaria and strategies to address it. So far, they've found that there is no simple “silver bullet” for malaria. Instead, the realistic approach is one that is multi-pronged with the goal of malaria control — keeping malaria rates low. Alumni of this group — both biology majors — have cited the interdisciplinary experience as instrumental to their post-UO successes.

PSYCHOLOGY - Getting research published is a necessary step for academics. But faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences aim to do more. Among the faculty who presented at the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's Week of Research and Innovation, Ann Swindells Professor of Clinical Psychology Nick Allen spoke about why he took his research to a startup company.