Oregon State University’s College of Science has announced that Jason Podrabsky, an OSU alumnus with deep roots in Oregon, has been appointed to head their Department of Integrative Biology. He returns to Corvallis after serving more than 20 years at Portland State University, where he built a globally recognized research program and held several senior leadership roles.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jason,” said Dean Eleanor Feingold. “His collaborative spirit, deep research experience and commitment to student access make him an ideal fit for the College of Science. I’m confident he’ll help us grow our impact by advancing integrative research, expanding inclusive learning and opening more pathways for students to thrive in science.”
Podrabsky’s return to Corvallis is a “coming home” moment that completes a full-circle transformation from rural Oregon student to university leader. Raised along the Santiam River in Sweet Home, he says he “grew up in a pretty small bubble” and didn’t know research or scientific careers were even possible until he became a student at OSU. As a biology major, he worked on stream surveys with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and conducted research in George Somero’s lab, a formative experience that sparked his lifelong passion for fish.
“That all happened because of the people I met here,” he said. “I got to go to Antarctica. I never thought I’d get to do something like that… College was a transformative time for me, and I want to provide that transformative experience for as many students as possible.”
Research rooted in adaptation and survival
Podrabsky’s research centers on a group of freshwater fish known as annual killifishes, which can survive extreme environmental stress by entering a dormant state. When their habitats dry up, these fish pause development, slow their metabolism and wait for the rains to return, a biological strategy that has fascinated him since his undergraduate days.
To understands this resilience, his lab integrates molecular biology, physiology and genomics to study how the fish survive conditions like dehydration, radiation stress and oxygen deprivation. This research informs broader questions in developmental biology, environmental stress tolerance and even climate resilience.
Fieldwork has taken Podrabsky around the world, including muddy watering holes shared with livestock, all in pursuit of understanding how life adapts under pressure. Although he works primarily in basic science, Podrabsky is driven by a deep intellectual curiosity about where his findings might lead, from innovations in human health to sustainability applications in space. He will begin his new role on Sept. 16.
Podrabsky participates in fieldwork to better understand annual killifish’s environmental resilience.An evolving biology department
Podrabsky is energized by the opportunity to expand the department’s reach and deepen its impact through world-class research, inclusive teaching and accessible pathways into science.
His rural roots deepen his commitment to expanding access for students from diverse backgrounds, including those who may not yet see science as a path for them. “We should be serving students from rural communities and all over Oregon, people at military bases and all over the world who are able to engage with our community and have the chance for that transformative experience.”
He sees Oregon State’s nationally ranked Ecampus as an essential part of that mission. “It has to be done thoughtfully,” he said. “It will take a lot of intention and care to design programs that work well for both students and faculty. I’m looking forward to that challenge: figuring out how to balance the more traditional expectations of a research-focused department with the opportunity to broaden our reach and expand our impact through Ecampus.”
Podrabsky plans to remain active in research, a pursuit that keeps him engaged with the science he loves, helps him lead with deeper insight and connects him to the experiences of students and faculty. He values the connection between discovery and learning and sees research as one powerful way to spark deeper learning in the classroom. “They have knowledge that’s not in textbooks yet… It captures the imagination of the students when they are working with someone who is trying to discover new things.”
He has deep appreciation for OSU’s interdisciplinary strength, calling the university’s collaborative spirit and values “a great fit” for this stage of his career. “It really feels like the right place at the right time,” he said.
Podrabsky uses a field inverted microscope to determine the developmental stage of killifish embryos that a team of researchers dug out of the mud in killifish ponds in Uruguay.Outside the lab and office, Podrabsky is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, boating and rock climbing with his family. He’s also a fan of science fiction, drawing inspiration from Octavia Butler, who wrote that “the only lasting truth is change.”
He’s the creator of Fish Fact Friday, a quirky Instagram series that began during the pandemic as a way to share his passion for ichthyology. “It’s just a way to connect with my son, with the world,” he said. “Even if it only reaches one person, that connection matters.”
He is thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to Oregon State. “I’ve always wanted to come back to the Oregon university system to give back to the people and institutions who gave so much to me,” he said. “Being here now, and having the chance to serve as department head, it’s full circle. A dream come true.”
What about the current department head
“The College thanks Dee Denver for his steady, compassionate leadership as department head from 2020 to 2024. Stepping into the role at the height of the pandemic, he guided the department through an extraordinary time of disruption, growth and renewal,” according to a release from the university.
He championed the creation of an anti-racism action plan that reshaped hiring practices, communication and graduate student support, helping build a more diverse and inclusive community. He oversaw the department’s move out of Cordley Hall, its temporary relocation and the return to a beautifully renovated home.
Denver expanded leadership opportunities for instructional faculty and supported 14 career transitions, including promotions to professor of teaching and professor of practice. During his tenure, the online zoology degree grew from 30 to more than 600 students. He helped reimagine the graduate curriculum, strengthen advising services and co-led efforts to decolonize research and promote inclusive international engagement.
In his return to a faculty role, Denver will teach a new course on DNA and society, serve on multiple advisory boards, including OSU’s Difference, Power and Oppression board, lead a study abroad program in Nepal and volunteer as a meditation teacher.
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