Oklahoma State University has selected 12 undergraduate students to participate in the 2011-12 Niblack Research Scholars program.  Funded by a gift from OSU alumnus Dr. 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.

Four majors in programs associated with the Department of Zoology received this distinct honor:

• Benjamin DeWeese, a zoology major from Broken Arrow, Okla.
• Chelsea Fortenbery, a chemistry and biological sciences major from Durant, Okla.
• Brandi Gallaher, physiology major from Tulsa, Okla.
• Grant Tinsley, a physiology and nutritional sciences major from Centennial, Colo.

More details about the students’ research are available at http://research.okstate.edu/nrs-2011-12-scholars.

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. 20-24, 2012.

Dr. John and Heidi Niblack (front, center) with the 2011-12 Niblack Research Scholars. (second row, L to R) Kelsie Brooks, Mrinalini Patil, Mackenzie Jochim (third row, L to R) Dr. Stephen McKeever, OSU’s VP for research, Brandi Gallaher, Benjamin DeWeese, Kayla Davis, Chelsea Fortenbery (back row L to R) Jared Austin, Daniel Osagie, Grant Tinsley and Zachary Sheffert (not pictured: Kara Miller).