More than 400 students and faculty from Pacific Northwest institutions gathered this past weekend for an inspiring showcase of scientific research.
The 34th annual Murdock College Science Research (MCSR) Conference brought together participants from predominantly undergraduate institutions (private and public) across the region to share oral and poster presentations, attend a lecture from a leading scholar, and build meaningful connections with colleagues and mentors. The event culminated in the announcement of regional award winners, recognizing excellence in undergraduate and faculty research.
"The MCSR Conference reveals the depth of talent and dedication within our Pacific Northwest research community," says Aaron Putzke, Ph.D., vice president of scientific research grants & programs. "Witnessing student scientists and their faculty mentors advance knowledge for the benefit of society reminds us why this work remains so vital, and why coming together to share it is a critical part of the process."
Recognizing Faculty Excellence #
The conference included the presentation of the annual Lynwood W. Swanson Awards, honoring two exceptional faculty members for their leadership in generating new knowledge, guiding undergraduate researchers, and cultivating excellence in their laboratories.
Named for Dr. Lynwood Swanson (Murdock Trust Trustee Emeritus, esteemed Pacific Northwest professor, and internationally recognized researcher in electron optics), these awards celebrate the transformative impact of outstanding faculty.
The Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award honors a senior faculty member whose established research program has achieved national recognition and sustained productivity.
The 2025 Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award was presented to Greta Binford, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, in recognition of her distinguished career as one of the world’s top arachnologists specializing in spider venom, with demonstrated leadership and inclusivity in biology and education. Discover Binford’s research in this video.
The Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award honors a junior faculty member with fewer than ten years of experience who shows extraordinary promise in building an exemplary and enduring research program.
The 2025 Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award was presented to Christopher Whidbey, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry, Seattle University, for his application of innovative cross-disciplinary tools to the study of microbiomes, and for his commitment to providing impactful and inclusive laboratory experiences for undergraduates. Discover Whidbey’s research in this video.
Each award includes a formal citation and cash prize shared between the recipient and their institution.
Celebrating Student Achievement #
Outstanding student researchers received prizes for exceptional oral and poster presentations:
John Van Zytveld Awards for Oral Presentations
2025 John Van Zytveld Life Sciences Award
Name: Abigail George
Institution: Northwest Nazarene University
Mentor: David Hille, Ph.D.
“From Peents to Patterns: Dial Call Patterns of Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) in Southwestern Idaho”
2025 John Van Zytveld Physical Sciences Award
Name: Gabriel Black
Institution: Western Washington University
Mentor: John Gilbertson, Ph.D.
“Probing H-Bonding in N-N Coupling Reactions that Form N2O”
Poster Prize Awards
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity
Name: Maurice Crunk
Institution: Seattle University
Mentor: Kristin Hultgren, Ph.D.
"Metabarcoding of eDNA and Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures reveals invertebrate biodiversity in the Salish Sea"
Name: Maia Connelly
Institution: University of Puget Sound
Mentor: Carrie Woods, Ph.D.
"Surveying gap dynamics of bryophytes on nurse logs and the forest floor in the Hoh Rainforest"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Developmental Biology-Physiology
Name: Sofia Bernstein
Institution: Reed College
Mentor: Kara Cerveny, Ph.D.
"Understanding the Role of gdf6a in Retinal Development Using CRISPR-Cas9 and Lightsheet Microscopy"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Molecular and Cell Biology
Name: Sam Nouwens
Institution: Seattle University
Mentor: Brett Kaiser, Ph.D.
"Identification of DNA target sequence of a phage-encoded anti-CRISPR transcriptional repressor"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Neuroscience-Psychology-Exercise Science
Name: Viktoria Yeager
Institution: Pacific Lutheran University
Mentor: Sara Finley, Ph.D.
"Word Final Devoicing: Patterns and Perception in Language"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Biochemistry
Name: Elliot Walker & Sheridan Donavan-Stauder (Collaborator: Amelia DeSentis)
Institution: Willamette University
Mentor: Cooper Battle, Ph.D.
"Exploring Stability of FRET Pair-Modified Quadruplex Molecular Beacons"
Name: Yom Aymeku & McKenzie Kapralova
Institution: Pacific Lutheran University
Mentor: Dave Song, Ph.D.
"Harnessing Minimalist Protein Designs to Decipher Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Dynamics in Biology"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Organic Chemistry
Name: Angela Macabinguil
Institution: Gonzaga University
Mentor: Stephen Warren, Ph.D.
"Polymorphism and Photophysical Properties in Modified Chalcones: For Applications to the Development of Drugs"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry-Computational Chemistry
Name: Max Gawlik
Institution: Carroll College
Mentor: John Rowley, Ph.D.
"Electrochemistry of Methylphenyl Thiophene"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Environmental Science-Geology
Name: Kaylen Hall
Institution: University of Alaska, Anchorage
Mentor: Eric Klein, Ph.D.
"Influence of Hydroclimate Changes on Permafrost Thaw in High Arctic Greenland"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Microbiology
Name: Amy Segura & Dominic Nguyen
Institution: University of Portland
Mentor: Ryan Kenton, Ph.D., & Christine Weilhoefer, Ph.D.
"From Bloom to Boom: Domoic Acid as a Potential Growth Stimulant for Pathogenic Vibrio Species"
2025 Murdock Poster Prize for Physics and Engineering
Name: Valerie Hanes
Institution: Whitworth University
Mentor: Jonathan Dawson, Ph.D.
"Modeling cell motion in time-dependent electric fields"
Supporting Research Ecosystems #
The MCSR Conference stands as part of the Murdock Trust’s broader commitment to nurturing the region's research community. Additional pathways for supporting scientific inquiry include: MCSRP for Natural Sciences, Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty, RAISE awards, capacity-building grants for scientific technology and instrumentation, and the Partners in Science program supporting high school science education.
"Since our founding in 1975, scientific research has been integral to the Murdock Trust's mission, and that commitment remains strong," says Putzke. "Jack Murdock believed in the power of research and innovation to transform lives. We share that belief, and we're deeply honored to partner with institutions, faculty, and students throughout the Pacific Northwest to advance discovery and progress for the common good."
For more information about this year's conference or the Murdock College Science Research Program, please contact communications@murdocktrust.org.