CAS News

ECONOMICS - Alum Joseph Wyer will discuss the how economics and science can come together for modern marketing. His talk “The Science of Modern Marketing” is 2-2:45 pm Friday, May 8, at Lillis 182. The event is organized by the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Economics.

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY - Heat therapy is hot right now. Saunas are popping up everywhere, from the local YMCA to backyards. College of Arts and Sciences human physiologist Christopher Minson weighs in on heat therapy and its evidence-based benefits.  In a recent review paper, Minson rounded up the science behind heat therapy and how it can be most effectively harnessed to benefit health and fitness.

The InfoGraphics Lab and the Eugene-based nonprofit Beyond Toxics collaborated on a dynamic map that has pulled back the veil on pesticide use in Oregon. The map not only provides a public service but also served as a training ground for students learning how to communicate complex data.

BIOCHEMISTRY AND CHEMISTRY - For the McLeroy family, the University of Oregon is a thread that digs deep in their ancestral roots. From two undergrads now on campus to Samuel “Edgar” McClure, who earned a bachelor’s degree from the UO in 1883 and a master’s in 1886, and was the first chair of the UO chemistry department.

COMPUTER SCIENCE - Armaan Hajarizadeh, a third-year computer science major in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Clark Honors College, has been named a Goldwater Scholar. The prestigious national award recognizes undergraduates conducting research in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he plans to attend graduate school and eventually pursue a career in academia.

GERMAN AND SCANDINAVIAN, FOLKLORE — How does an oral Yiddish folk story become what is perhaps the most famous of all modern Jewish literary fantasies? Associate Professor of Scandinavian Gantt Gurley's research on this very question about the legend of golem is illuminating.

CINEMA STUDIES — Alexi Pappas, MA '12 (interdisciplinary), is coming back to the Department of Cinema Studies to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her film, "Tracktown." The celebration includes a special public screening and live Q&A on April 23. In this story, Pappas answers questions about her inspiration and what she's learned since graduating.

College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor of Economics Keaton Miller explains why conflict in the Middle East and gas prices are so closely tied and what to worry about — or not — in the future.

Four College of Arts and Sciences faculty members will discuss the social impact of research during the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) Week of Research and Innovation. The event is 10:30 am to noon Wednesday, April 8, at the Cedar and Spruce rooms in the Erb Memorial Union.

CAREER PREPARATION — Tasked with meeting the College of Arts and Sciences career preparation goal, Assistant Dean for Career Preparation Yifang Zhang developed and implemented the Career Leaders Program. The program focuses on providing tools and resources to reframe and elevate the school's existing effort in career preparation in classrooms.

For Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week in 2026, CAS gradate students share their experiences of what makes their experience special at CAS. CAS is home to 1,295 graduate students: 307 master’s and 959 PhD. With April 6-10 Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, CAS reached out to some of its graduate students to hear how about their experiences at the college.

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY - John Halliwill has been named a 2025 fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). A professor in the Department of Human Physiology, Halliwill was recognized for advancing the understanding of exercise-induced cardiovascular adaptation and discovering histamine's role as a signaling molecule in adaptation to physical activity.

ASIAN STUDIES - This popular course on Japanese popular culture taught by Alisa Freedman examines icons like Hello Kitty, Pikachu and the Oregon Duck can transform global politics and people’s identities.

ROMANCE LANGUAGES - As language learning declines nationwide, the Romance Languages in the College of Arts and Sciences are on the rise, thanks to reimagining curriculum to promote student success, and the results are undeniable.

COMIC AND CARTOON STUDIES — Political comics artist, Ben Passmore, visited the Comics and Cartoon Studies Program to speak and share his perspective at an open community event and in a class, Introduction to Comics Studies. Visiting lecturers are an opportunity for everyone involved: students hear from practicing artists and artists get feedback on their work.