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Ron Howell: A Life of Service to Others

June 14, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

— Nelson Mandela

By every measure, Ron Howell has made a difference in the lives of others.

As CEO of the Washington Research Foundation (WRF) for nearly three decades, Howell led programs to benefit public health across the state of Washington and around the world.

A Washington State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry (’80), Howell joined … » More …

Neuroscientist Connects Study of Zebrafish to Human Communication

June 8, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

The gift of hearing and the art of communication are woven through the rich tapestry of Dr. Allison Coffin’s life and work.

It was a lone shark, swimming the Atlantic Ocean, that inspired the accomplished career of this neuroscience researcher and science communicator.

“One day when I was six years old, I was walking around a dock in the Florida Keys and a 3-foot-long nurse shark swam up to the dock,” Coffin recalled. “I absolutely fell in love. I was fascinated with that shark and knew right then I wanted to be a marine biologist.”

Coffin pursued her dream on an educational … » More …

LIFELONG COUG OVERCOMES TREPIDATION TO BECOME A DOCTOR

June 1, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Lars Neuenschwander has been a Coug from the day he took his first breath.

A current WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine student, Lars was born on campus at Pullman Memorial Hospital in 1996. Eighteen years later, he returned to attend Washington State University. In 2019, he achieved a double degree in Spanish and Bioengineering and will graduate from the College of Medicine in 2024.

However, a future in the medical profession was not always part of Lars’s plans. In fact, he had to overcome a piercing fear to pursue medicine.

“I wasn’t somebody who grew up with a … » More …

Donor Spotlight: Doyle and Matilda Montgomery

May 24, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Washington State University alumnus Dr. E. Doyle Montgomery (’55 DVM) and his wife, Matilda, traveled the world together for many years on mission trips. Across continents, they witnessed the contribution veterinary professionals made to animals and people in the communities they served.

“We traveled to India and South America and saw the veterinary caduceus at clinics in little villages and towns,” Matilda said. “We watched veterinarians around the world take care of animals and educate their owners.”

Matilda also observed this invaluable gift when she worked with Doyle and Dr. Frank Lindeke in their own practice.

“I saw so many miracles – … » More …

DREAMS OF GREEN ENERGY TAKE FLIGHT

May 18, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

Two pencils + a 9-volt battery + water = hydrogen

The equation to produce hydrogen gas is relatively simple. The process to produce liquid hydrogen is not. Though it has the potential to be a vital green energy source, production of liquid hydrogen has long proved elusive for researchers and energy innovators.

“One kilogram of liquid hydrogen has the same energy as a gallon of gasoline but is much more efficient than burning gasoline,” said Dr. Jacob Leachman, associate professor in the Washington State University School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering. “It’s environmentally friendly, green energy. Water is its byproduct which … » More …

WSU Veterinary Cardiologist Advances Feline Health Through Research

May 7, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

“I call myself the wandering cardiologist,” said Dr. Ryan Baumwart, who joined Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2020.

Baumwart, a full-time professor in cardiology service, arrived in Pullman with a vast spectrum of experience, a vision for advancing animal health, and a lifetime of caring for animals.

This passion for healing was kindled in Baumwart’s childhood, and it started at Highland Veterinary Clinic in Arapaho, Oklahoma. Founded in 1981 by Ryan’s father, Dr. Alvin Baumwart, the clinic’s mission has been to give ‘every patient the same loving attention and care as if they were the doctors’ … » More …

CAS Student Meets Challenges with Courage and Resilience

April 29, 2021 Scott Swanger

By AnneMarie Hunter

“When I was a kid, I fell in love with science and have never changed my mind,” says Brianna Knode.

A third-year student at Washington State University, this accomplished Coug will graduate in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in genetics and cell biology.

As a child, Brianna was nurtured with STEM. “I come from science,” she said. “My mother, grandmother and grandfather were all in STEM professions and I’m sure being around scientists had a lot to do my career path. I always watched PBS Science! KIDS with my parents and distinctly remember … » More …

Engineering Student Promotes Water- and Self-Sustainability

March 8, 2020 Hailey Rupp

By Cindy Hollenbeck

In 2018, Washington State University STEM major Bailee Kelty was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. While benign means “non-cancerous,” it does not mean harmless. The diagnosis brought with it anxiety, costly medical bills, and side effects—including exhaustion, seizures, and memory loss.

Bailee calls herself a “type-A” personality, very high energy, always ready to tackle life’s challenges. And because she has such a wide smile and bubbly personality, you might never guess that in addition to her packed schedule, she fits in blood tests every three months, a biannual doctor’s appointment, and an annual MRI.

WSU is fortunate to have gained a … » More …

Budding Engineer Works on Climate Change, and Changing the Climate in STEM

December 16, 2019 Hailey Rupp

By Cindy Hollenbeck

Washington native Hannah Goodspeed remembers when she was still in daycare, and she got into a fight with some boys who said Legos weren’t for girls. Perhaps that early love of Legos and ability to advocate for herself foretold her choice of career. Hannah is a civil engineering major who researches climate change at Washington State University Pullman.

As she came of age in the small town of Ephrata, Washington, Hannah was interested in just about everything. She wanted to be a professional dancer, volleyball player, teacher, counselor, and at one point, a physician’s assistant. Because she has always appreciated a challenge, … » More …

Cosmic Crisp®: How a Bunch Made One Good Apple

December 1, 2019 Hailey Rupp

By Cindy Hollenbeck

This is a story about how one amazing apple sweetened the bunch, and how a bunch of individuals created one amazing apple. Researchers, tree fruit growers, and industry partners from Washington state collaborated to develop and promote the Cosmic Crisp® WA 38 cv.—an apple that will have a “cosmic” effect on the world. The Cosmic Crisp® demonstrates how the science of breeding and the art of imagination can come together to make a new star apple.

Twenty-plus years after horticulturist Bruce Barritt took pollen from the Honeycrisp and placed it on the stigma of the Enterprise to produce seed, boxes of the … » More …