OCCAM: Oregon Community College Access to Materials Research

OCCAM is a summer research experience for undergraduates specifically tailored towards community college students considering a transfer to a 4-year institution. OCCAM places community college students in labs conducting materials science research at the University of Oregon for a 10-week paid research internship. Participants gain valuable exposure to research and training in research and professional skills to prepare them for careers in industry as well as advanced degrees in science and engineering.

OCCAM is made possible through support from the National Science Foundation, the UO Materials Science Institute, and the OPIRC program, as well as support from faculty research funds. The program relies on community colleges across the state of Oregon that train students with the foundational skills needed to thrive in research.

OCCAM participants

2025 Program

Graduate student mentor: Tim Mathew

Intern	Institution	Host lab
Olivia Bernhard	Lane CC	Ramesh Jasti
Zackary Cheatham	Umpqua CC	Hailin Wang
Kevin Hairgrove	Lane CC	Mike Harms
Joseph Harris	Umpqua CC	Paul Dalton
Tyler Ortega	Central Oregon CC	Gary Harlow
Ryley Wooton	Lane CC	Danielle Benoit

2024 Program

Graduate student mentor: Thomas Driscoll

Intern	Institution	Host lab
Jeana Moyer	Umpqua CC	Jayson Paulose
John Mueller	Lane CC	Hailin Wang
Emily Stetson	Umpqua CC	Hailin Wang
Brevin Tuttle	Lane CC	Jayson Paulose
Garrow Whitefield	Lane CC	Danielle Benoit
Kasey Ziegler	Central Oregon CC	Ramesh Jasti

2023 Program

Graduate student mentor: Aileen Carroll Godfrey

Intern	Institution	Host lab
Samantha Bahn-Williams	Lane CC	Benjamín Alemán
Tyrone Diamond	Lane CC	Hailin Wang
Elise Jaremko	Lane CC	Jayson Paulose
Micah Taylor-Rosenberg	Lane CC	Marina Guenza
Jeul Williamson	Lane CC	Danielle Benoit