The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) supports work that bridges the arts and sciences at Oregon State University, and its PRAx Fellows program gives students opportunities to expand experience in interdisciplinary collaboration. The fellowship, which awards students a $1,000 grant, invites participants to explore innovative projects at the crossroads of art, science and engineering. In collaboration with mentors from these fields, students develop projects that are showcased in the PRAx gallery at the conclusion of spring term.
For students in the Honors College — which emphasizes cross-disciplinary dialog and requires the completion of a thesis — the PRAx fellowship offers a unique opportunity to combine innovative research with creative expression. Among the 2024-2025 cohort of 22 PRAx fellows are four Honors College students and two alums, Amanda Fox, ’21, and Arden Smith, ’21, who are paving the way for new ways of thinking and creating. Current students Annabelle Eisner, Liam Warner, Ainsley Beck and Natalie Donato are also using their diverse academic backgrounds to bring unique perspectives to their projects.
Liam Warner — Engineering + Art
Liam Warner, a fifth-year double major in electrical and computer engineering and music, is exploring the intersection of robotics and music through the PRAx fellowship. Working with mentor Chet Udell, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering and the multidisciplinary projects coordinator for the Design for Social Impact Certificate, Liam’s project focuses on developing Ocho, a robot designed to play the steel drum autonomously, via computer input, or by interacting with its infrared proximity sensors.
“I'm most excited to research music composition techniques and how I can implement them on Ocho in innovative ways,” says Liam. “My guiding question is: can we teach a robot musicality?”
Liam has faced challenges in balancing the technical limitations of robotics with the vast possibilities of musical composition. “The greatest challenge developing this project so far has been narrowing my scope to something that fits within Ocho's hardware limitations,” he shares.
Despite these hurdles, the experience has been rewarding. “Interacting with Ocho's sensors is by far the most fun part of the project,” Liam says. “Moving your hands or arms closer or farther away and having Ocho respond in real time never gets old.”
For Liam, the fusion of music and engineering is a natural extension of the Honors College interdisciplinary ethos. “This fellowship has made me approach both engineering and music in ways that I wouldn't have considered before,” he reflects. “Interdisciplinary experiences provide great opportunities to connect with others and learn from their different academic backgrounds, knowledge and perspectives. The program has offered a platform for fellows to leverage each other's strengths and unique skills.”
Looking ahead, Liam is eager to see what his fellow PRAx Fellows create. “There are many incredibly talented artists and creators in this year's PRAx fellowship program. I'm looking forward to seeing their work at the exhibition this coming spring!”
Natalie Donato — Art + Science
Natalie Donato, a third-year honors student studying marine biology and ecology, has carried a passion for studying marine science ever since her childhood, despite growing up in landlocked Folsom, California.
Natalie’s journey to the PRx fellowship began with her work researching sharks as an intern in Taylor Chapple’s Big Fish Lab. “After illustrating a hyper-realistic blue shark for an anatomy diagram, my science mentor, Dr. Chapple, noticed my work and gave me more opportunities to contribute to the lab through my artwork,” she shares. Over time, Natalie created a lab emblem, more shark illustrations, figures for publications and a variety of other illustrations to aid in science communication.
Natalie’s PRAx project continues her current interdisciplinary work with sharks, aiming to foster appreciation and understanding for the big fish. “The story surrounding sharks has been heavily influenced by art that paints a narrative of fear,” she explains. “I hope that by showcasing the unique features of Oregon’s shark species, I can inspire a sense of curiosity and awe toward them instead.”
For Natalie, the fellowship has provided a chance to connect with like-minded peers. “I’ve met so many incredibly creative and driven people through this fellowship that blur the lines between art and science with their work,” she says. “It has reaffirmed how closely linked art and science are — both fields share the same goal of understanding the world around us and sharing what they find.”
Annabella Eisner — Art + Science
Annabella Eisner, a fourth-year double major in Spanish language and culture and the contemporary music industry, is pursuing a deeply personal project through PRAx: a sonic autoethnography that weaves together her personal experiences of deep listening and vipassana meditation, building off literary insights from previous research in soundscape ecology and ecomusicology. With mentors Dana Reason, an assistant professor of music, and Sabine Huemer, a professor of practice of psychology, she is traveling across Southeast Asia to capture diverse soundscapes that reveal the cultural and environmental dynamics of the region.
“Getting out in the field with a recorder really opens you up to slow down, expand your awareness and absorb your surroundings,” Annabelle says. “Whether it is a busy temple or a tree full of monkeys, being fully present lets you experience and document the nuances of these environments."
To Annabella, her project is a reminder of the importance of experiencing the natural world. “When we sit with ourselves, we are sitting with nature. In studying soundscapes, or other localized environments, there is a recognition that everything we do, feel and think directly affects the world around us.”
Her project will ultimately come together as an interactive gallery exhibit, with plans for musical performances, creative writing and possibly installations where nature and human sounds blend. "I look forward to sharing this work as an exploration of how humans and nature communicate," she adds. "Interdisciplinary studies expand our awareness, revealing that we’re all connected and part of one universal experience."
Arden Smith — Art + Science
HC graduate Arden Smith is in the third year of her master’s program in integrative biology, which she started after receiving her H.B.S in zoology in 2021. Working with mentors David Maddison, the Harold E. and Leona M. Rice Professor in Systematic Entomology in the Department of Integrative Biology, and Andy Myers, a senior instructor of drawing and printmaking in the School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts, Arden is creating large-scale paintings of each beetle species involved in her master’s thesis. “Both art and biology are long-standing passions of mine. Even while studying STEM, I spend a lot of my free time making art, so I’m interested in any opportunity to bring the two together,” Arden says.
To Arden, the PRAx fellowship allows her to experience her project from both scientific and artistic perspectives. “I’ve really enjoyed thinking about my research subjects in a new way! Working with live insects is always a fun challenge, and I’ve gotten familiar with the unique ways each of my sample species responds to handling — often in ways that are difficult to quantify through traditional data methods,” she explains. “I’m hoping to capture the ‘feel’ of working with the different animals.”
While pushing herself artistically, Arden also values the collaborative, problem-solving spirit of the fellowship. “In my opinion, one of the most foundational elements of science and art is solving problems and answering questions. I think the multi-track structure of the program will foster a lot of interesting collaborations among people working in different media and sciences. I’m excited to see how others approach their own subjects in ways totally different from mine!”
Ainsley Beck — Art + Science
Ainsley Beck, a fourth-year honors student majoring in nutrition and minoring in human development and family sciences, discovered the PRAx fellowship through an Honors College newsletter: “I was already interested in combining art and nutrition for my Honors College thesis, so when I heard about the opportunity to further explore this topic through the PRAx fellowship, I jumped at it,” Ainsley says. “I grew up dancing and have always been a fan of the arts. Drawing, painting and coloring are hobbies I’ve picked up since coming to OSU."
Working with Leah Wilson-Haley, an instructor of painting in the School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts, and Siew Sun Wong, a professor in the College of Health, Ainsley is exploring how food and cultural experiences shape our eating habits and perceptions. “The project is still evolving, but I’m interested in looking at cultural differences in food or the impact of food insecurity on eating habits," Ainsley explains. "I want the project to grow naturally, although starting without a clear end goal has been challenging."
Despite the challenges, Ainsley sees the fellowship as an opportunity to connect her background in nutrition with her passion for the arts. “It’s exciting to explore nutrition through a creative lens — interdisciplinary work really broadens our understanding of complex subjects,” she explains. For her, this project is essential career preparation. “Throughout my career, I’ll be working with interdisciplinary teams to enhance patient care. This fellowship is teaching me to stay curious about others’ expertise and engage critically with fields outside my own,” Ainsley shares. “We become experts in our fields, but it’s important to recognize we’re always learning—and that often means learning from others.”
Amanda Fox — Art + Science
HC graduate Amanda Fox is a Ph.D. student in animal science with a focus on reproductive physiology and minor in statistics. With a background in creative writing — including a novel completed as her HC thesis — Amanda has embarked on a memoir-style project through PRAx, working with mentors Cecily Bishop, an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, and Gilad Elbom, a senior instructor in the School of Writing, Literature and Film. “I’m specifically focusing on stories about maternal instinct and how I see my own psyche reflected in cows' behavior,” she shares.
Amanda’s biggest challenge so far has been balancing her PRAx project with other demands. “I’ve been dealing with some medical challenges and a big move for my business, so the project has taken a bit of a backseat this term, but I’m getting back on track,” she explains. Still, she’s “found joy” in reconnecting with her creative side: “The most enjoyable part has been just getting to spend time working on a creative project again. It’s hard to focus only on scientific research without space for other pursuits.”
Through PRAx, Amanda has gained a broader perspective. “Working on this project has taught me about bias and the behavior of scientists,” she says. “It’s also given me a more well-rounded education. Our cohort is diverse, and PRAx funds a wide range of proposals, encouraging projects from every field.” She values PRAx for fostering interdisciplinary discussions and enhancing learning beyond traditional methods: “It brings together students, professors, industry professionals and community members, helping students understand scientific topics more deeply through creation, not just lectures.”
By fostering interdisciplinary exploration and collaboration, the PRAx Student Fellowship program continues to serve as a transformative platform for students to merge creative and scientific pursuits. Guided by their mentors, this year’s cohort of PRAx Fellows, including the five Honors College students and two alumni, are reimagining the connections between art, science and engineering at Oregon State University.
For students interested in pursuing similar interdisciplinary opportunities, the application for the 2025-26 PRAx fellowship is expected to open in early 2025, with a likely deadline in March.