On any given day you can find Steven Oppenheimer, biology professor at California State University, Northridge, surrounded by dozens of students immersed in the intricate inner workings of sea urchin.
The cells of these curious ocean creatures are key to the research he conducts as director of CSUN’s Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology, where he’s made major discoveries on the reproduction of cancerous cells. Oppenheimer’s work has helped him attract millions of dollars in grants that allowed him to build up his basement laboratory and mentor up to 100 students a year – almost 10 times the average for science professors.
This week, his efforts earned him the recognition of President Barack Obama, who chose him as one of 22 professors nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
For Oppenheimer it’s just about giving young people a chance to fall in love with science.
“We all march to our own drummer and my drummer tells me to get as many students involved in science as possible,” Oppenheimer said.
“This is a great honor, but this award doesn’t just belong to me. It also belongs to my students and colleagues.”
Candidates for the award are nominated by their peers, administrators and students, and the work that is recognized can be with students at any grade level – from elementary through graduate school. The 22 award recipients, selected from universities all across the country, will be honored at a White House ceremony and receive $10,000 to build their mentoring projects.
“There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation’s young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders,” Obama said in a written statement. “These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all.”
Northridge biology professor Maria Elena Zavala, who received the Presidential Mentoring Award in 2000 from former President Bill Clinton, nominated Oppenheimer.
“(Oppenheimer) is enthusiastic, he takes on more students than anyone, and he gives people who might not be given an opportunity to work in a lab a chance,” Zavala said.
“Those efforts need to be recognized.”
Aided by the efforts of faculty members like Oppenheimer and Zavala, CSUN has managed to grow its science program. According to the National Science Foundation CSUN consistently ranks among the top 5 universities in the nation, for preparing students to earn doctorates in research and the sciences.
Students like Ryoko Kawashima, who is earning her master’s in biochemistry at CSUN, credit Oppenheimer with introducing them to the world of experimentation and research.
“He has been an inspiring and encouraging professor who opened the world of research to me during my undergraduate years,” Kawashima said.
“The hands-on approach that he offers is one of the best stepping stones for higher education, and I can honestly say that he has made my transition into the graduate program a lot easier.”
Oppenheimer’s mentoring doesn’t stop with college students.
He’s also been hard at work mentoring elementary, middle and high school students by producing a science journal – now listed in the Library of Congress – that features their science research and by organizing Northridge’s annual Student Research Symposium.
At the end of the day Oppenheimer relishes the opportunity to get students who perhaps never thought of themselves as scientists interested in the field.
“I have found that you can never tell which students are going to be real gems by looking at them, not by their grades either,” he said.
“Sometimes I see a kid and I think to myself `oy vey’ but I give them a chance and they turn out to be a star.”
