Thursday, October 26, 2023
CAS announces 3-Minute Thesis competition winners Emi Norton Staff Reporter
3-Minute Thesis competition. 15 OSU students competed in the finals on Oct. 12. First place was claimed by Katrina Mapes, a doctoral student in the Six graduates of the College of Department of Integrative Biology. Arts and Sciences at OSU were deIntegrative biology doctoral students, clared winners in the final rounds of the Jesse Hurd and Neil Balchan, tied for
second place. All three students will represent CAS in the university-wide competition on Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre. “3-Minute Thesis is an exciting challenge for our graduate students,” said Rachael Eaton, program manager
of CAS student research. “Not only do they have to explain complex research topics, but they must do so in a way that sparks the audience’s curiosity and leaves us wanting to know more. I am consistently impressed by our outstanding researchers at 3MT events.” See Winners on 6
‘I can leave my tears in the garden.’ A tiny flower farm offers a reprieve from cancer Lisa Boone Los Angeles Times Eight months after her husband, Chad, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Stacie Vanags planted 1,100 flower seeds in her Ventura backyard. “Something called me to do it,” Stacie said of her tiny flower farm. “I needed a sanctuary.” Chad, 40, and Stacie, 43, were already growing vegetables, tending a flock of free-roaming chickens and three cats and dreaming of building an urban farm on their half-acre of land next to the 101 Freeway in Midtown. Then, in July 2022, Chad received some heartbreaking news. During a routine visit to the doctor for what he presumed was long COVID after a persistent cough, Chad, who had never smoked, learned he had non-small-cell lung cancer. Scans showed the cancer had spread to his lungs, bones, lymph nodes and brain. In a gut punch, the oncologist told him he would live six months to a year without treatment. “He said I’m incurable,” Chad said quietly. That was 15 months ago.
Meeting Chad in person, it’s hard to believe he has a terminal illness. He appears to be in great physical shape, and he surfs regularly and travels the world for weeks at a time. He has had few symptoms or side effects besides lightheadedness from a targeted, Food and Drug Administration-approved medication called Tagrisso. But learning to live with cancer while trying to move forward hasn’t been easy for the tech sales trainer. That’s why Chad says he’s grateful that Stacie can walk outside and tend to her flowers if his mood turns dark, especially when his depression becomes overwhelming some days. “I had a tough seven days during a surfing trip to Puerto Escondido,” he said, standing in the garden as he watched his wife cut zinnias, chocolate lace flowers and strawflowers for gift bouquets. “It was hard for Stacie because she couldn’t escape to the flowers. I see the garden as a place where she can get a reprieve from cancer. It gives us purpose and meaning every day.” Stacie doesn’t disagree. “I missed the flowers while we were in Mexico,” she said. “There’s a resiliency to plants. It’s a language in itself.” See Garden on 7
Isaac Terry The Coffee House, about a five minute walk from campus, serves coffee and snacks.
The Coffee House serves up new opportunities Isaac Terry Staff Reporter
Tribune News Service Chad and Stacie Vanags in their flower farm, Teaquila Farm, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Ventura, California.
Stillwater Life Services, which provides free “testing, support and options” for women. Located at 519 W. 3rd Ave., the shop isn’t a far walk A smaller coffee shop in from campus. It offers free Stillwater has a bigger goals snacks and water and has lower than serving coffee. prices on average than popular The Coffee House donates coffee chains such as Starbucks 100% of its profits to different or Aspen Coffee. It is open charities each month. During from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday September, the shop donated to through Thursday each week.
The shop has many specials, especially now that autumn is here. These include the caramel cookie crumble latte, iced brown sugar shaken espresso and white chocolate and chai latte. The Coffee House is run by the nearby University Heights Baptist Church, located behind the café. See Coffee on 8