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Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture Series

Black and white photo of Robert M. Storm standing outside.

Doc Storm arrived in Corvallis in 1939 to pursue his master’s degree in zoology and never left

Launched in 2016 through a generous donation by Bill Lovejoy (OSU Alumnus and former student of Dr. Storm), the Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture Series honors the late Dr. Robert M. Storm, Emeritus Professor of Zoology at OSU. Known as "Doc" to most everyone, Professor Storm (1918-2017) spent over six decades conducting research and teaching in our department (then called Zoology).

Considered by many to be the pre-eminent scientist on western reptiles and amphibians, Doc Storm was broadly trained and was also a respected authority on much of the Pacific Northwest fauna. He spent a great deal of time in the field, much of that time with students. His impact is impressive, and includes some fifty publications and the mentorship of more than 70 graduate students. Much of what is known today about Pacific Northwest amphibians and reptiles has some direct or indirect connection back to Doc Storm. His students (and their students in turn) are scattered across North America at many prestigious institutions.

We are extremely proud to have been a part of his impressive legacy and look forward to using this lecture series as a venue to showcase the type of integrative and transformative research that was emblematic of Dr. Storm himself.

Learn more about the life and work of Doc Storm

2023 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture

The 2023 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture will be held on June 1, 2023 at the LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus. This year, we are delighted to have George James (Jim) Kenagy as our speaker. Jim is an author and Professor of Biology and Curator of Mammals, Emeritus with the University of Washington. His lecture is entitled Survival in the Desert: Coping with Heat, Aridity, and Scarce Resources, a particularly fitting focus given Doc Storm's great love for Oregon's own Alvord Desert.

There will be a reception in the Giustina Gallery from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. followed by the lecture in the Construction and Engineering Hall. Directly following the lecture, join us in the Myrtle Tree Alcove adjacent to the hall for the opportunity to engage with Jim about his wonderful book, Everyday Creatures: A Naturalist on the Surprising Beauty of Ordinary Life in Wild Places. Books will be available at this time. This will also be a chance for our guests to interact with a display of natural specimens demonstrated by some of the Integrative Biology grad students who conduct field research in the Alvord Desert.

This year's lecture is dedicated to the memory of Bill Lovejoy (1927-2022). Bill earned his PhD in 1972 under the mentorship of Doc Storm. To honor Doc, Bill made a generous donation to establish the Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture Series, which will be enjoyed by scholars and the public for years to come.