OAS Officer Elections
Every two years, the Oklahoma Academy of Science conducts a nomination and election process for President-Elect and Recording Secretary. The Nominations Committee presents the following candidates for these positions, whose terms will run from 2026 to 2028. The secure voting ballot follows the bios below. Voting will end at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Avi Mitra, Ph.D. – President-Elect Nominee
Dr. Avi Mitra is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Mitra’s research focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens acquire and utilize iron, an element essential for their survival and virulence. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis obtains heme from the human host and employs Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism to identify small molecules that block iron acquisition pathways through high-throughput screening. These complementary projects aim to reveal bacterial strategies for iron uptake and identify potential therapeutic inhibitors. Equally central to his work is mentoring and training undergraduate researchers—he has guided more than 30 students throughout his career, several of whom have co-authored publications, pursued graduate or medical degrees, or entered scientific industries. Dr. Mitra collaborates closely with the OSU Scholars Office, OK-LSAMP, McNair Scholars, and Sovereign Nations programs to recruit and support diverse undergraduate scientists, viewing research and mentorship as integral to advancing STEM education and discovery. https://microbiology.okstate.edu/people/faculty/413-mitra
Cheyanne Olson, Ph.D. – Recording Secretary Nominee
Dr. Cheyanne Olson is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern State University, specializing in freshwater ecology. Her research focuses on the application of citizen science for water quality monitoring, a field in which she is highly passionate. Dr. Olson volunteers and serves as a board member with Oklahoma's Blue Thumb, a renowned citizen science organization dedicated to protecting and monitoring the state's water resources. Additionally, she contributes to the advancement of scientific research and education as a board member of the Oklahoma Academy of Science. At Northeastern State University, Dr. Olson teaches a variety of courses in freshwater science, including limnology and aquatic biology. https://nsuok.edu/directory/profiles/olson02.aspx
Dr. Avi Mitra is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Mitra’s research focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens acquire and utilize iron, an element essential for their survival and virulence. His laboratory investigates the mechanisms by which Mycobacterium tuberculosis obtains heme from the human host and employs Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism to identify small molecules that block iron acquisition pathways through high-throughput screening. These complementary projects aim to reveal bacterial strategies for iron uptake and identify potential therapeutic inhibitors. Equally central to his work is mentoring and training undergraduate researchers—he has guided more than 30 students throughout his career, several of whom have co-authored publications, pursued graduate or medical degrees, or entered scientific industries. Dr. Mitra collaborates closely with the OSU Scholars Office, OK-LSAMP, McNair Scholars, and Sovereign Nations programs to recruit and support diverse undergraduate scientists, viewing research and mentorship as integral to advancing STEM education and discovery. https://microbiology.okstate.edu/people/faculty/413-mitra
Cheyanne Olson, Ph.D. – Recording Secretary Nominee
Dr. Cheyanne Olson is an Assistant Professor at Northeastern State University, specializing in freshwater ecology. Her research focuses on the application of citizen science for water quality monitoring, a field in which she is highly passionate. Dr. Olson volunteers and serves as a board member with Oklahoma's Blue Thumb, a renowned citizen science organization dedicated to protecting and monitoring the state's water resources. Additionally, she contributes to the advancement of scientific research and education as a board member of the Oklahoma Academy of Science. At Northeastern State University, Dr. Olson teaches a variety of courses in freshwater science, including limnology and aquatic biology. https://nsuok.edu/directory/profiles/olson02.aspx
