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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

2025 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture:

Dr. John Marzluff, Professor of Wildlife Science, University of Washington

Reception and lecture the evening of Thursday, May 22, 2025 in the Memorial Union Horizon Room

Scientific Talk at 10 am on Friday, May 23, 2025 in ALS 4001

More details coming soon!