“I strive to be a lifelong learner, leader and educator,” Blackburn said. “Becoming a Beckman Scholar means that I have the resources to grow and hone these skills through research experience and through the leaders and other scholars involved in the program.” Parvin — a physics and mechanical engineering junior fromBeggs, Oklahoma —will be working with her mentor, Dr. Mario Borunda, to understand the radiation tolerance of perovskite materials to increase their stability. “Receiving this scholarship is a game changer in my academic and professional trajectory,” Parvin said. “Being an OSU Beckman Scholar means being a part of a community that promotes diversity, education and leadership that will provide me with opportunities to work with and learn from other talented researchers.” To learn more about the Beckman Scholars Program at OSU, visit okla.st/beckman-scholars. In January, Oklahoma State University was selected to participate in the 2023 Beckman Scholars Program (BSP). The program, sponsored by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, awards institutions with funding to support six student-mentor pairs through a 15-month research experience in chemistry, physics or biological sciences. Two students will be selected to participate each year throughout the three-year award term. Dr. Erika Lutter, associate professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, served as the faculty lead on the university’s BSP proposal team and explained that this is a first for OSU. “I have received several grants in my time, but this one is extremely special,” Lutter said. “I think I ammost excited because this is an award for OSU, not just for my department and my college. It is an amazing opportunity for OSU program for our students who will become future STEM leaders.” The BSP has selected College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students Adriahna Blackburn and Nina Parvin to be the first scholars in the program at OSU. “Adriahna and Nina are outstanding young scholars,” said Dr. Rachael Eaton, OSU BSP director and program manager for CAS student research. “These students will represent OSU and the Beckman Scholars Program well as they undertake intensive and important research over the next 15 months. We are eager to watch them grow as leaders and scientists.” Blackburn is a microbiology and molecular genetics sophomore from Nardin, Oklahoma. Alongside hermentor, Dr.Matt Cabeen, Blackburnwill research the mechanism of non-canonical pyocin production by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains of the same species. STORY ERIN MILEK | PHOTOS PROVIDED Inaugural Class of Scholars OSU receives Beckman Scholars funding, selects CAS students as first awardees Adriahna Blackburn Nina Parvin 40 CONNECT 2023
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