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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

2024 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture

The 2024 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus. This year, we are delighted to have Daniel T. Blumstein as our speaker. Daniel is an award-winning Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a Professor in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA His lecture is entitled Integrating Behavior into Wildlife Conservation Management: A Fearful Perspective.

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 look at tables of specimens and interact with researchers.