Do you have questions about what it is like to be a student in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) or at Oregon State University (OSU)? Our CEOAS Ambassadors would love to share their experiences with you.

If you want to learn more about what it is like to be taught by super-friendly world-renowned faculty or take epic field trips around the beautiful state of Oregon, contact a CEOAS Ambassador!

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Emily D.

Pleasant Hill, CA | Environmental Sciences with aquatic biology option, minor in Marine Conservation and Management and a GIS certificate

Emma H.

Beaverton, OR | Climate Science

Grace H.

Aurora, CO | Enviromental Sciences and Oceanography

Angelina L.

Vacaville, CA | Oceanography major, minor in Chemistry and a GIS certificate

Emmaline M.

Louisville, KY | Oceanography

Elliott P.

Oregon City, OR | Geology and Education

Melanie Schwarz

Hello! My name is Melanie Schwarz and I'm a third-year geology major. There are so many interesting geologic formations in Oregon, and I'm studying geology because I want to uncover the history and mysteries that exist under our feet. I've had many hands-on experiences in CEOAS, such as traveling to the White Mountains in California to spend days mapping out in the desert. I've had an internship with a faculty member studying the first appearance of fossils during the Cambrian Explosion, and I was able to present this research at the 2022 GSA conference in Denver, Colorado. I currently work at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Lab as a lab assistant and get to help clients with their projects. Aside from geology, one of my academic pursuits is studying Japanese. In high school, I stayed in Japan for three weeks as part of a home-stay program and had a wonderful time. When not studying or working, I love to create art and spend time with my pets at home. And like other Oregonians, I love to hike, swim, kayak, and basically do anything outdoors. If you have any questions about Cambrian fossils, presenting research at a convention, working at the wave lab, or what living in Japan was like, please send an email! I would love to chat. 

Demi Vasquez

Hello! My name is Demi Vasquez, I’m a first-generation college student and a second-year transfer student majoring in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Applied Ecology, and I’m pursuing a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. I grew up in a very polluted town called Bakersfield, California. Growing up in such pollution and visiting the various coasts in Mexico with my family has sparked my interest in a career in environmental science. I left California to attend OSU because I really liked the Environmental Sciences program here along with the many research opportunities that OSU provides. I am currently involved in the ARC-Learn program researching zooplankton diversity in the arctic. After OSU I hope to go into education, conduct research in areas with high pollution, or participate in marine conservation. As an ambassador I hope to inspire others and share my passion about Environmental Sciences so please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Julia Rankin

Hi there! My name is Julia Rankin, and I am a fourth-year here at Oregon State University. I'm studying as an honors student, majoring in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Conservation, Resources, and Sustainability, with a minor in Social Justice and a GIS Certificate. Originally I grew up in Seattle, Washington where I played in a 120-acre local forest, gardened with my family, and wandered low tides looking for life. I was drawn to OSU because of the Environmental Science Program and the inviting and supportive community CEOAS provides. Besides being a CEOAS Ambassador, I work for the Hattie Redmond Women and Gender Center. I spent the summer of 2022 as an intern for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in Maui working for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary. I also traveled to New Zealand on a faculty-led study abroad trip! When I am not in class, you can typically find me gardening (I am the proud parent of a 30 year old bird of paradise), baking with my roommates, hiking or scuba diving! If you have any questions about CEOAS, the Honors College, study abroad, scuba diving or want to learn about making OSU feel like home, reach out!

Peter Kuskie

Hello! My name is Peter Kuskie, and I’m majoring in Geography/Geospatial Sciences. I am a junior here at Oregon State University, and this is my second year in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Growing up near Portland, Oregon, I’ve always been interested in how people travel within and between metropolitan areas. This is what led me to focus on Geospatial Sciences and Planning while studying Geography at Oregon State. During my time in CEOAS, I’ve travelled to the H.J Andrews Research Forest in the Cascades and Paulina Lake for my geographic field courses. I’ve also travelled several times with the Oregon State Athletics Bands. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, music, cooking good food, and playing disc golf. There is even an OSU Disc Golf Club that I’m a part of. If you have any questions about Geography, CEOAS, or life at Oregon State in general, I would love to hear from you!

Claire Andrade

Hey! My name is Claire Andrade and I’m a third year oceanography student in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at OSU with a chemistry minor. I’m originally from the Bay Area, which is about an hour east of San Francisco, and growing up on the coast really inspired me to study the ocean. I decided to go out-of-state to attend OSU because of how world-renowned the oceanography program is and how unique it was for a university to have a whole fleet of research vessels! Since then, OSU has provided me with three years of research vessel experience, deep sea ecology lab work, and my first internship. On campus, along with being an Ambassador for CEOAS, I help students find research opportunities for any college as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador through the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and the Arts (URSA), lead prospective OSU students on virtual campus tours as a TOUR Ambassador, and study cable bacteria in the Benthic Sediment Biogeochemistry Lab. I’m really passionate about bringing together art and science to better communicate scientific concepts to kids, chemical oceanography/deep sea ecology, and advocating for diversity in the geosciences. Please contact the CEOAS office if you have any questions!

Lindsay Podjasek

Hi! My Name is Lindsay Podjasek, and I am a junior in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science studying geology. I’m from Saint Charles, IL and lived there my entire life until moving to Oregon for college. I have always loved the Pacific Northwest so coming to Oregon State has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve made. From a field course in southern California to field trips to Mt. Rainier National Park, attending Oregon State as a geology major has allowed me to travel all up and down the west coast. I have been a member of the OSU Geoscience club for 3 years and was lucky enough to go on our last club trip to Argentina over spring break of 2019! I am involved in research with Dr. Shan de Silva studying transportation of sediment in the Puna region of Argentina to better understand the geomorphology of Mars. In my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, hiking, and camping. I have fallen in love with OSU and all of the people and resources here so feel free to reach out with any questions!

Eve Selbie

Hello! My name is Eve and I am a third year pursuing a double major in Environmental Science and Psychology. I am an avid bread maker and runner and have an affinity for cheesy jokes too. I spent most of my childhood in Portland, Oregon but moved around a lot so I am proud to represent Arizona, Texas, and Malaysia as well! I fell in love with Oregon State University after learning more about their strong research programs across the colleges and how undergraduates are heavily included. I was also a sucker for how beautiful the campus was (especially in the fall when the leaves change to a multitude of reds and yellows). I have participated in research studying sustainable pest management and am currently working in Dr. Crump's microbial ecology lab. In the summer of 2019 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Borneo, Malaysia where I spent two weeks studying landscape ecology and then another two and half months working with a non-profit surveying villages on child marriage prevalence and history. If you have questions about Environmental Science, Psychology, Study Abroad, or great trail runs in the Corvallis area, I'd love to try and answer them!

Saray Sanchez

Hello! My name is Saray Sanchez and I am going to my fourth and final year in CEOAS pursuing a Climate Science degree. I was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. Growing up in an area where all four seasons would show up in the span of a day fired up my curiosity with the weather and climate of the Pacific Northwest. This last summer, I had the opportunity to be funded by the National Science Foundations through the Research Experience for Undergraduates Internship at CEOAS where I was able to create an age model for an Ocean sediment core using microfossils that dated to at least 20,000 years old. I also was able to go on research cruises in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean to gather more ocean sediment cores and gain field experience. In addition to research, I am also involved in the OSU Athletic Bands, the American Meteorological Society Student Chapter, and the College Assistant Migrant Program. I am excited to be an ambassador so I can share my knowledge of CEOAS and OSU with everyone. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Will Duke

Hi! My name is Will. I am in my third year in CEOAS and the Honors College majoring in Ocean Science with a minor in Japanese Language and Culture. Before OSU, I lived my entire life in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Over time I have developed a passion for the environment, with a special interest in the ocean and the many biological processes that occur there. I was drawn to Oregon State because of the oceanography program and the proximity to the coast. I have been a part of the Environmental Sciences Club for two years, I am in my second year working as an RA, and I work in a lab on campus exploring coral diseases. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, swimming, and just generally being outdoors. If you have any questions, feel free to send them my way, or just stop me to say hi!

Amira Smith

Hello everyone! My name is Amira Smith, and I am in my fourth year as an honors student majoring in Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Applied Ecology and a minor in French. As a result I'm part of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Honors College! I'm originally from Portland, Oregon where I grew up helping my parents in the garden and enjoying all of the nearby outdoor activities which eventually led me to Environmental Sciences! I've served as an officer for the Environmental Sciences Club for the past three years and I am one of the current Co-Presidents for the 2019-2020 year. In my time at OSU, I've also been very fortunate to be able to participate in two OSU study abroad trips (one to London, England and one to Poitiers, France), volunteer in an Applied Mycology lab, and also work for the Sustainability Office on campus. When I'm not in class or at work, you can usually find me hiking, baking muffins, taking pictures of my friends, or gardening! If you have any questions or want to learn more about ways you can get involved at OSU, please don't hesitate to reach out! #GoBeavs and #makeadent!

Brenna McBride

Hi everyone, my name is Brenna and I’m a fourth-year student majoring in Geography and Geospatial Science. My interests are in human-environment geography, environmental education, and conservation. In my free time, I also try and get out hiking as much as possible or stay in and watch Netflix on the couch. I’m originally from the Portland area here in Oregon and although the Pacific Northwest will always be home, I absolutely love traveling anywhere I can. During my time at OSU, I have studied and interned abroad in Malaysia and Germany, and I currently work for the College of Forestry’s International Programs Office, so if you have any questions about getting out there in the world, I’m here to chat about all your opportunities. Also, I am a member of the Environmental Sciences Club, I have worked in a paleo-oceanography lab here in CEOAS and I’m minoring in Geology and Environmental Science, so you can ask me about basically anything!

Sally Albright

Hi there! My name is Sally Albright, and I am a senior in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences as well as the Honors College, studying Ocean Science. I was born and raised in a small town called Edgewater, Maryland, in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region. I fell in love with the environment at a young age, as all my life I grew up on the coast. I absolutely love being on the water, hiking, camping, and really anything that gets me outside and seeing new places. I've been fortunate enough to serve as Co-President of the OSU Environmental Sciences Club for 2 years and Treasurer for 1 year, participate in the OSU Marching and Basketball bands, work in multiple labs and conduct a research project, and gradually find my home at OSU all along the way. If you have any questions about how to make OSU feel like home away from home, would like to know about more opportunities to get involved and/or get outside, or just want to say hello, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Costanza Fantoni

Hello, my name is Costanza Fantoni, and I am a junior here at Oregon State University. I am pursuing a double major in Environmental Science, with a specialization in Alternative Energy, and Environmental Chemistry. I am originally from Florence, Italy, but I have always been drawn to the Pacific Northwest for both the quality of education in the fields of study I care about and the great outdoors. At Oregon State I have had the opportunity to get involved in many ways. My favorites have been working in a Soil Science Laboratory and studying forest management in Chile on a faculty-led program this past spring. I love what I'm studying, and I know it will prepare me for the impactful career I strive to have. If I could, I would never shut up about how great this has been, being able to do what I love in a community that cares as much as me. Hence, ask any questions and say “hi”!

Hannah Garcia

Hey everyone, my name is Hannah. I study Geography and Geospatial Science, and I am also earning my GIS certificate. I was born and raised in Oregon and spent most of my childhood in the Portland Metro Area. Growing up in cities, I’ve developed an interest in disaster management and urban development. I currently volunteer with Laurie Becker working on connectivity projects for the city of Corvallis. When I'm not in class I enjoy spending time with family, volunteering, and going out to the coast. If you see me around campus feel free to introduce yourself. I love meeting new people and making friends!

Katherine Landoni

Hey, my name is Katherine Landoni, and I am a junior pursing a double major in Geology and Environmental Sciences. I am also a part of The Honors College. I grew up in Sequim, Washington in an area that is tectonically active which has led me to my love of geology and the outdoors. The tight knit atmosphere in CEOAS has allowed me to meet genuinely amazing and caring professors and passionate students. I enjoy backpacking, rock climbing, and being outdoors when I'm not busy with school work. I am currently conducting undergraduate research with Adam Kent determining the age of a rock formation in the Cascade Mountains using Argon isotope dating. I am the President of the internationally-traveling Geosciences club through CEOAS. Being an ambassador is exciting because it allows me to share my personal experiences with prospective students, parents, and alumni. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me, or if you see me around, stop and say “hi”!

Zachary Pinard

Hi! My name is Zac Pinard, and I am currently a junior in CEOAS pursuing a double major in Environmental Sciences, with a specialization in Environmental Economics and Policy, and Fisheries and Wildlife Science. I am also in the Honors College and have a minor in Spanish. I grew up in Pleasanton, California in the San Francisco Bay area where I developed a passion for protecting the environment and mitigating human civilization’s effects on ecosystems. I have had experience working with the Sustainability Double Degree and the Student Sustainability Initiative on campus, and I am currently the ASOSU Coordinator of Environmental Affairs. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, football, and badminton, as well as hiking, watching movies, and learning about flags. I have grown very close to the CEOAS community and am excited to share its many opportunities with students as an ambassador. If you have any questions or would like any advice, don’t hesitate to contact me and introduce yourself!

Gareth Baldrica-Franklin

Hello! My name is Gareth Baldrica-Franklin, and I'm originally from Portland, Oregon. At a young age, I developed a love of maps, which led me to grow curious about the world and the concept of place. Geography was the perfect fit for me, specifically the interaction between humans and the Earth, something the program here greatly emphasizes. I currently work at the Institute for Water and Watersheds, where I've had the opportunity to learn about local and global water systems, and how they affect people throughout the world. I also have done work with the Cartography and Geovisualization Group, creating maps and working on the development of an iBooks atlas. The small size of the college and the approachability of the professors made these opportunities easy to find. When I'm not working or in the classroom, you can find me cooking, writing, hiking or taking in a good movie. I'm excited to represent CEOAS in order to make people aware of everything it has to offer.

Matt Conlin

Hello, my name is Matt Conlin. I grew up in central Massachusetts, and I am currently in my second year here at OSU. I was in the Geology program for my first year, and then switched to the Ocean Science program, keeping a minor in geology. I do research focused on coastal hazards and erosion in the Pacific Northwest, which includes fieldwork collecting data on the coasts of Oregon and Washington, and lab work to analyze this data. I hope to continue studying coastal processes and coastal hazards into graduate school and beyond. To me, CEOAS is the perfect college because of its small size within a huge university. This allows for fantastic one-on-one contact with faculty, while at the same time providing the resources and research capabilities only available at large universities. Outside of class and research, I spend as much time as I can outside; running, hiking, camping, or hanging out on the beach. I love CEOAS, and I can't wait to share my passion with others.

Lacey Gunther

My name is Lacey Gunther, and I am a junior in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. I am currently working to obtain a B.S. for Environmental Science, with an emphasis on Aquatic Biology and Water Science. I am from West Linn, OR and have always been in love with the Pacific Northwest, which is one reason why I came to OSU. My main extracurricular activities include playing Ultimate Frisbee on the Women's Club team, and I also love to rock climb and hike. I am currently involved in undergraduate research with Professor Kim Bernard, and am studying how climate change is affecting the abundance of Antarctic Krill. I'm excited to represent CEOAS because it will give me the chance to help other students engage in the wonderful opportunities available here at OSU, and I can't wait to inspire other students about their education.

Wade Johnson

My name is Wade Johnson and I am currently a senior studying Environmental Sciences and pursuing a GIS Certificate. I was born and raised in the PNW which has led to my love for the great outdoors and the reason for pursuing my major in CEOAS. Being part of CEOAS has afforded me many great opportunities such as researching Cinnabar Moths over a summer and interning with the Academic Programs Manager at Hatfield Marine Science Center. When I am not hitting the books you can most likely find me at the climbing gyms around campus or if whether permitting, at the coast surfing. I am excited to be an ambassador for CEOAS and provide insight to perspective students, parents, and current students into what this college is and it's many benefits. If you see me around campus please don't hesitate to introduce yourself!

Maggie O’Rourke-Liggett

Hello! My name is Maggie O’Rourke-Liggett, and I am a senior in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. I am pursuing a degree in Ocean Science. I am also a Resident Assistant in one of our residence halls. I am from Carlsbad, CA and have had a passion for studying the ocean and marine creatures ever since I was little. I chose OSU’s Ocean Science program for my degree because it gives a solid base of how all sciences interact with each other, in context to the ocean, which will be beneficial for pursuing a career in marine science. This summer I worked with the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna where I helped them research the foraging behavior of gray whales off the Port Orford, Oregon coast. I am excited to be an ambassador for CEOAS so I can share my experiences and inspire future students.

Rachael Thurn

My name is Rachael Thurn, I am a sophomore studying Environmental Science with an option in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability and a minor in Spanish. I grew up in Eugene Oregon and decided to go to Oregon State because my dad went here! I have always been a nature girl, and love being outside whether it is hiking, rollerblading, or just adventuring. I also like reading, crafting and watching Game of Thrones. I really like being part of a college like CEOAS because it gives me a lot of control and choice over what I want to study. I am really excited for this opportunity because I am very passionate about the college and can't wait to share that with all the other students, faculty and staff that make up our unique college!

Rachel Hausmann

My name is Rachel Hausmann, I am a Junior studying Geology and Water Science with an option in Public Interpretation. I was born and raised in Portland. I play rugby for OSU and am a member of the Geosciences Club. The most rewarding activity I do within the college is volunteering in classes, I help students with their labs both inside and outside the classroom. I enjoy tutoring because it shows the underclassmen that their are upperclassmen who want to see them succeed and become passionate about Earth Sciences. Oregon State University's CEOAS is exceptional. I was attracted to the department for the impressive research on the Pacific Rim of Fire and West Coast earthquakes. My academic and career goals are to produce research that help lead to the planning and ultimate safety of our communities around hazardous locations.

Jamie Merritt

Hi, my name is Jamie Merritt and I am a sophomore in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. I am currently pursuing an Environmental Sciences major with a Toxicology Minor and an International Degree with a focus in Spanish. I grew up in El Dorado Hills, CA near Sacramento but have always loved Oregon for its cooler weather and love of the outdoors. I enjoy playing soccer and Ultimate Frisbee, but my favorite past time is backpacking. I was attracted to the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences because I have always been interested in learning about the environment and especially about how to treat water pollution. I hope to travel around the world after college and assist in fixing the water pollution problem in many countries. I am so excited about being an ambassador of this college because I have grown passionate about this school and my major and I hope to inspire other students to become excited too.

Latifa Salih

Hi! I'm majoring in Environmental Science and am excited to be graduating in the spring of 2014. I'm from Denver, by way of two dozen other cities that I've lived in all over the U.S. When I'm not studying, I enjoy hiking, exploring, or watching movies while snuggling my family. My interests are in water resources- science, policy, and management. I love CEOAS and all of the opportunities that are available for students to get involved. I can't wait to be able to help others have a great experience here as well.

Tyler Schlieder

Hello, my name is Tyler Schlieder. I grew up in a small one light town in California called Calistoga, about two hours north of San Francisco. I was attracted to CEOAS because as a child I was constantly outside exploring, and when I got to OSU I finally had an opportunity to study how the natural world works. Now, at the end of my third year, I am studying geology, and doing research on a volcanic province in Saudi Arabia. When I'm not at school I am usually mountain biking, rock climbing, or reading anything I can get my hands on. I really look forward to representing CEOAS because it will give me the opportunity to meet more people who are interested in the way our world works, and I will be able to share my experiences at OSU with a wider audience.