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Special Notice

Sincere sympathy is expressed to Dr. Melissa Reed whose mother, Karen Lynn Leatherwood, age 71, passed away on December 18, 2025.

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New Graduate Students

Anju Ara is beginning her Ph.D. candidacy with Dr. Meriem Aoun.  Her research will focus on identifying genes for resistance to diseases in wheat that are important in Oklahoma. She received her B.S. degree in Agricultural Sciences from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2020 and her M.S. in Plant Pathology from OSU in 2025 under the direction of Dr. Aoun.

 

Presley Brant is beginning her M.S. degree with Dr. Andres Espindola. Her research will focus on evaluating high-plex molecular detection strategies that integrate high-throughput sequencing and PCR to improve simultaneous detection of tick-borne pathogens in Oklahoma. Presley received her B.S. degree in Entomology from OSU in 2025.

 

Estefania Jinez is beginning her M.S. degree with Drs. Maira Duffeck and Ashleigh Faris. Her research will focus on optimizing and validating molecular diagnostic methods to detect corn stunt pathogens, and on assessing the spatial and temporal prevalence of these pathogens in Oklahoma and neighboring states. Estefania received her B.S. degree in Biotechnology Engineering from the Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, ESPE in Sangolquí, Ecuador in 2022.

Rachel Seay is beginning her M.S. degree with Dr. Jonathan Cammack. Her research will focus on surveying the blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of Oklahoma, a group that is important to livestock health, public health, and forensic investigations, and provide pollination services to native plants and food crops.  Rachel received her B.S. degree in Entomology from OSU in 2025.

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Necrology

Dr. Janis Lee McSwain, 81, of Morrison, former Research Assistant with Dr. John Sauer in the 1980s and 1990s, died on January 17. She was born on September 17, 1944 to Edward and Rosa Adams in Altus, Oklahoma.  

 

After graduating from Altus High School in 1962, she dove into the world of medicine, earning her nursing degree from Wichita General Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. While her early days at Baptist Hospital tested her potential, it was a biology class at Central State University that ultimately transformed her life forever. There, she met her soulmate and partner in all things, Rick McSwain.

 

Jan received her B.S degree in Biology from Central State University in Edmond in 1972, and her M.S. degree in Science Education and her Ph.D. in Entomology under the direction of Dr. Sauer, both from OSU in 1976 and 1983, respectively. Whether she was analyzing the smallest insect or managing a complex organization, she did so with a sharp wit and a pursuit of excellence. Her compassion was as daring as her spirit.  In a legendary display of bravery, she traveled deep into the Amazon Jungle of Brazil during a polio outbreak, navigating the wilderness to deliver life-saving vaccinations. She was led to do this because she had polio as a child and was quarantined for six months in the hospital.

 

Her thirst for discovery took her to five of the seven continents. She marveled at Europe's beauty and shared a transformative trip with Rick to Jane Goodall's Chimpanzee Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo. While Antarctica and Asia remained beyond her reach, she spent her life exploring the world with a truly infectious enthusiasm.

 

In 1973, the family made Morrison, Oklahoma, their home. Jan served as the School Nurse for Morrison Schools and worked for the State Department of Vocational-Technical Education, now known as the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. She was a visionary who helped continue building on the foundations of her community, establishing the Morrison First Responders, the Morrison Tree Board, and the Morrison Arboretum with the help of many others.

 

Her leadership was equally felt in the business world. In 1995, Jan and Rick purchased Citizens State Bank, where she eventually retired as EVP, COO, and Chair of the Board.

 

Jan was a champion for the next generation, whether through the American Legion Auxiliary and Girls State or in her community. She had an extremely charitable spirit that taught her children and grandchildren a life of purpose is the greatest gift one can leave behind.

 

She is reunited in peace with her husband, Rick McSwain who died on December 3, 2025; her parents; her sister, Zane Adams; and her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Patrick and Sharon Monroe.

 

Her vibrant memory will be cherished by her daughter, Kim, and Kyle Hansen; her son, David McSwain; and her brother, Gary Adams, and Ethleen. Her "Grammy magic" lives on in her grandchildren: Morgan Hansen, Zac Hansen, Nathan McSwain, and Ian McSwain.

 

Jan lived a life that was both a steady anchor and a soaring sail. In her honor, may we all plant a tree, help a neighbor, or plan an adventure to somewhere we've never been. Donations in Jan's honor may be made to the Morrison Tree Board at MCDA c/o Morrison Tree Board, P.O. Box 101, Morrison, Oklahoma 73061. A Celebration of Life was held in her honor on January 23 at the Christian Church in Morrison.

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Departmental Seminars

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