10 Questions with Manoj Shukla, incoming department head of Crop and Soil Science. He is currently a professor of soil physics at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he leads and manages the soil physics program.
What drew you to Oregon State University?
Oregon State University is a top-tier research institution (R1) with an outstanding online program. Its global online presence is crucial for success in the challenging years ahead. OSU collaborates closely with a diverse range of stakeholders to address agricultural challenges, with the goal of improving the lives of people in the state. The campus is beautiful, and the surrounding landscape is breathtaking. While my previous job responsibilities were similar, the scale at OSU is much larger, providing a perfect opportunity to push myself further.
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What makes you passionate about higher education?
I strongly believe that higher education is fundamental to improving the lives of people. Being able to work with students, teach them and learn from them, and just having an opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives is what makes me passionate about higher education.
You have a strong passion for mentoring both faculty and students. How will you bring that passion to Oregon State?
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Early in my career, I worked hard to build a solid foundation, and along the way, many people helped me achieve my goals. As I progressed in my career, I realized that it is now my turn to engage with younger faculty and students in a meaningful way and support them in achieving success. In the Department of CSS, there are many early-career faculty members and students. I plan to reach out to them, listen to their needs, and find ways to motivate and guide them as they navigate their own paths to success.
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
Education is an opportunity that they must avail themselves of. They should always try to give their 110% because when you move in the right direction with sincerity and dedication, success takes care of itself.
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Crop and soil science includes many faculty both on the Corvallis campus and in Extension and experiment stations across the state. In your role as a department leader, how will you balance the unique needs of those various groups?
You are right, the CSS department is highly diverse, both in terms of expertise and geographic location, with each member bringing unique expertise. However, many departments within U.S. colleges of agriculture face similar issues. My prior experience as both a member and chair of the college’s promotion and tenure committee has given me a deeper understanding of the strengths that faculty in teaching, research, extension and outreach at both main and branch campuses possess. I am also familiar with some of the connectivity issues and other challenges faced by faculty at branch campuses. While there are no easy solutions, I believe that by leveraging technology and available resources effectively, I can reach out to these faculty members and hopefully inspire and motivate them. The bottom line is that a department can only make meaningful progress when everyone is fully engaged and on board.
What was your favorite course in college?
It was hydrology. I was always interested in water.
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Research funding is essential to your department. How do you plan to work with faculty to increase grants?
I will focus on increasing awareness of funding opportunities and, whenever possible, alert faculty to relevant grants. Additionally, I will work to foster connections between senior, more established faculty members and early-career faculty. Early-career faculty are often highly motivated to secure external grants, and I will collaborate with them to identify and overcome any obstacles to applying for large grants.
You lived in Las Cruces for almost two decades. What will you miss the most about New Mexico?
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I will miss my neighbors. I live in a community where many people have migrated from different places, and we have formed a close-knit group. We interact frequently and support one another like family.
What places or experiences are you most looking forward to when you move to Oregon?
I am looking forward to visiting the east side of the state to have a better understanding of the rain shadow effect and irrigation practices to mitigate it.
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What is your favorite non-academic pursuit or passion?
Klamath County residents have been encouraged to take precautions through at least 10 a.m. Thursday.
Smoke from wildfires across the state is pushing air quality into dangerous levels in parts of Central and Southern Oregon.
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory as air quality index readings topped 150 Wednesday morning near Bend and La Pine, made worse by smoke from the Cram Fire near Madras.
In a photo provided by the Wasco County Sheriffs Department, the Cram Fire burns a hillside. Smoke from the fire is worsening air quality in Central Oregon.
Courtesy of Wasco Sheriffs Department
Further south in Klamath and Jefferson counties, the AQI climbed over 170, affected by smoke from fires burning across Southern Oregon.
The Klamath County Public Health Department issued a health alert Wednesday for county residents. That DEQ advisory is in effect until at least 10 a.m. Thursday, while conditions are expected to slightly improve before then in Deschutes and Crook counties with intermediate smoke remaining.
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AQI levels range from 0-50 for “good” air quality to 300-500 for “hazardous” conditions.
Public health officials are encouraging people affected by poor air quality to stay safe by:
Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity
Using air purifiers
Running air conditioning on recirculate mode
Keeping windows and doors closed
Using N95 masks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly
Keeping pets indoors — as much as possible
“Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can be harmful to your health. People at the highest risk are those with health conditions, older adults, children and infants,” Deschutes County Public Health Director Heather Kaisner said in a press release. “People who have asthma or other lung conditions should keep medications available and contact their healthcare provider if necessary.”
Multiple counties are also providing the public with cleaner air-conditioned locations to visit,such as local libraries to avoid the smoke and heat.
Resources: Stay safe and informed during wildfire season with OPB’s wildfire guide at opb.org/wildfires. This resource offers essential safety tips and preparedness guidance to help you navigate fire and smoke events. This resource was created as part of our commitment to serving the public as wildfire seasons become longer and more dangerous.
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Former Oregon State third baseman Trent Caraway has a new home in college baseball.
Caraway announced his commitment to the LSU Tigers on Tuesday via social media.
Caraway, a rising junior, was the most outstanding player of the Corvallis regional during the 2025 postseason. He hit six home runs in the postseason overall, an OSU record, finishing the season batting .267 with 12 home runs and 47 RBI.
Caraway entered the transfer portal after Oregon State’s run to the College World Series, and had his name in the MLB Draft but did not get selected.
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Seven OSU players were drafted, but Caraway not being selected was a surprise: MLB.com ranked him the No. 145 overall prospect, and there are 615 total picks across 20 rounds.
In the age of NIL, there is less incentive for underclassmen to make the jump to the professional level if their value does not exceed potential earnings in college. That could be the case for Caraway, who took a step back statistically in 2025 and could see a boost to his draft stock with improvement at LSU.
— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter/X: @RyanTClarke. Find him on Bluesky: @ryantclarke.bsky.social.
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A mountain biker was reported missing in Oregon after not returning home from a biking trip in Mount Hood, according to authorities.
Ralph Sawyer, 52, was reported missing on Friday around 10:30 p.m. – two hours after he was expected to return home after leaving that morning for a mountain biking trip, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release.
A search and rescue mission was immediately launched to locate him, the sheriff’s office said.
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MISSING TEEN SURFER FOUND ALIVE ON REMOTE ISLAND MILES FROM SHORE: ‘DIDN’T GIVE UP HOPE’
Ralph Sawyer, 52, was reported missing on Friday at about 10:30 p.m.(Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office)
“Sawyer has a long history of mountain biking in the area and is familiar with the terrain,” the release noted, adding that the bike used was specifically designed for gravel roads.
The man had still not been found as of Monday, but officials said his car, a blue Kia Soul, was located shortly after midnight on Saturday with his cell phone inside.
Sawyer is described as 6’1″ with brown hair. He was last seen wearing an orange bike helmet, blue shirt and black biking shorts.
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Sawyer is described as 6’1″ with brown hair. He was last seen wearing an orange bike helmet, blue shirt and black biking shorts.(Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office)
The search for Sawyer has been centered along East Still Creed Road to Veda Lake and Kinzel Lake, along with the U.S. Forest Service roads around Trillium Lake, located about 40 miles southeast of Portland.
Officials said about nearly 40 searchers were involved in the search on Saturday and 70 were mobilized on Sunday, covering hundreds of miles by ground and on vehicles, including ATVs and motorbikes. Technical rope teams were deployed to search over steep terrain while drones and a helicopter from the Oregon National Guard searched from the air.
TOURIST WHO MISSED NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP DISCOVERED DEAD ON MOUNTAIN TRAIL IN ALASKA
The search for Sawyer has been centered along East Still Creed Road to Veda Lake and Kinzel Lake, along with the U.S. Forest Service roads around Trillium Lake.(Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office)
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An Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit and K9 units were deployed on Monday in addition to the groups involved in search efforts over the weekend.
