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Professor Amelia Ahern-Rindell

Emerita Professor Amelia Ahern-Rindell Named Undergraduate Research Fellow

Biology

March 31, 2025

University of Portland Emerita Associate Professor Amelia Ahern-Rindell, PhD has been selected as one of two recipients of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Fellow Award for 2025.

Angel Dulay with research poster

UP Junior Angel Dulay Awarded Top Prize at National Diversity in STEM Conference

Biology

November 2, 2023

UP junior biology major Angel Dulay delivered the “Best Undergraduate Research Poster” in the Life Sciences – Genetics category at the 2023 Society of the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM Conference. 

Dr. Laurie Dizney

University of Portland to Study the Impact of Urbanization on Wildlife Health through National Science Foundation Grant

Biology

August 3, 2023

Latest Major Award Lifts UP College of Arts and Sciences Over the $2.5 Million Mark in Grant Funding Since 2022.

Dr. Susan Murray

University of Portland Students to Study Immune Responses in Prostate Cancer Treatment

Biology

November 22, 2022

University of Portland students, under the guidance of UP Biology Professor Susan Murray, PhD, will research the role of sex hormones in immune responses to prostate cancer through a $404,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Tide pool coastal map

Where to Tide Pool

Portland Magazine

Biology

Environmental Studies

June 1, 2022

The Oregon coast offers an of embarrassment of marine-life riches. 

Tara Prestholdt among the mussels

How to Tide Pool

Portland Magazine

Environmental Studies

Biology

June 1, 2022

Tips from a marine biologist on how best to enjoy, protect, and explore Oregon's coast.

portrait of Tara Prestholdt

True Mentor: UP Biology professor Tara Prestholdt

Portland Magazine

Biology

February 21, 2020

UP biology professor Tara Prestholdt won the 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Association of College and University Biology Educators (ACUBE). The award is offered annually to honor faculty who practice and promote effective, innovative teaching in the biology classroom.

University of Portland rower Brianne Zbylicki

Woman in the boat: UP rower Brianne Zbylicki

Biology

Athletics

College of Arts and Sciences

Portland Magazine

October 25, 2019

Brianne Zbylicki '20 was making a name for herself on UP's rowing team and in the biology research labs. When cancer struck, she took a year off from sports and studies. Upon her return to campus, she found help and unwavering support in teammates, professors, and coaches.

Hands cradling a skull at archeological dig site

Digging Toward Questions: The University of Portland Pollentia Undergraduate Research Expedition

Study Abroad

Biology

College of Arts and Sciences

Theology

Portland Magazine

Chemistry

October 24, 2019

For five summers, University of Portland has sent an interdisciplinary team of student and faculty researchers to an archeological dig site in Pollentia, Mallorca, Spain. Representing all areas of study at the University--from chemistry to theology and business to library science--members of UP PURE have gotten out in the field and done the slow, often back-aching, knee-crunching, centimeter-by-centimeter work of excavating artifacts of an ancient Roman city.

photo of Ami Ahern-Rindell

Ami Ahern-Rindell awarded the Council on Undergraduate Research Biology Division Mentor Award

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

June 10, 2019

University of Portland biology professor Ami Ahern-Rindell has been awarded the Council on Undergraduate Research Biology Division Mentor Award (Advanced Career), a national award that honors biology mentors for their long-term efforts in supervising undergraduate research students.

photo of Franz Hall

College of Arts and Sciences receives three grants to support scientific research and education from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

Environmental Studies

Chemistry

May 31, 2019

The University of Portland College of Arts and Sciences has received three grants totaling $178,427 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to support scientific research and education.

photo of Franz Hall

College of Arts and Sciences receives four external grants for research

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

Environmental Studies

Chemistry

March 22, 2019

The College of Arts and Sciences has received four external grants for undergraduate research and projects. These grants will support faculty research and K-12 outreach work in the local community. Collectively, these individual grants total almost $180,000, with an additional $50,000 in matching funds contributed by CAS.

Professor teaching student

University of Portland receives grant to support science education and research from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

Biology

March 5, 2019

The University of Portland has received a $30,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for a new biology faculty position. This grant is part of the New Faculty Start-up Grants program and is the fifth award that the Murdock Trust has made to support science faculty at UP since 2013.

Tara Prestholdt and her motorcycle

Sabbatical on Two Wheels

Portland Magazine

Biology

February 21, 2019

Biology and environmental studies professor Tara Prestholdt may have redefined the word “sabbatical” with a research trip on motorcycle from Portland to the southern tip of South America.

Forbes ranks UP 18th in STEM Colleges

University of Portland ranks no. 18 in Forbes’ “Top 25 STEM Colleges of 2018”

Awards and Rankings

Biology

Chemistry

Mathematics

Engineering

Physics

December 10, 2018

The University of Portland was recently ranked no. 18 in “The Top 25 STEM Colleges of 2018” by Forbes.com.

Female professors present by idea board

REFLECT team aims to improve STEM classes by supporting student-centered, active-learning instruction

College of Arts and Sciences

Biology

Engineering

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

August 6, 2018

Research reveals that students enjoy better success in creative, active learning environments versus traditional, lecture style classes. In a three-year National Science Foundation funded project, UP’s REFLECT team (Redesigning Education for Learning through Evidence and Collaborative Teaching) is informing STEM faculty (science, technology, engineering, math) about how to introduce student-centered, evidence-based learning methodology into their classrooms.

Four University of Portland alumni awarded $34,000 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

Biology

Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences

Engineering

Psychology

Awards and Rankings

Alumni

International Languages and Cultures

Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement

Chemistry

June 19, 2018

University of Portland alumni Julia Meng '16, Shannon Danforth '16, Katherine Cummins '17, and Brett Bankson '14 have been awarded $34,000 Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation to fund graduate tuition, fees, and research.

STEM education transformation

University of Portland receives $300,000 National Science Foundation grant to foster systematic instructional change in STEM education

Awards and Rankings

Chemistry

Physics

Biology

Mathematics

Engineering

August 28, 2017

The University of Portland has received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve teaching environments for undergraduate students in STEM classes by increasing student-centered, evidence-based learning methodologies.

University of Portland bioethics team wins national competition

Chemistry

Nursing

Biology

Philosophy

April 21, 2017

The University of Portland bioethics team won the 2017 Bioethics Bowl by defeating Georgetown University in the finals. In only the second year competing, the UP team was undefeated in the Bioethics Bowl.

Engineering student working with device and computer

University of Portland ranks no. 18 in “Top 21 STEM Colleges of 2016” by Forbes.com

Mathematics

Biology

Engineering

Physics

Awards and Rankings

Chemistry

July 26, 2016

UP ranks no. 18 in Forbes.com's list of top STEM schools.

UP biology professor Elinor Sullivan awarded $3.7 million grant from National Institute of Mental Health

Awards and Rankings

Biology

December 2, 2015

University of Portland biology professor Elinor Sullivan has been awarded a $3.7 million Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).