Heather Murillo has built her Oregon State experience around a clear – and ambitious – purpose: to learn as much about our planet as possible.
“I had always been drawn to nature documentaries as a kid,” she said.
Growing up in the Philippines shaped an appreciation for the environment, and Heather came to Oregon State to pursue environmental sciences, adding geography and geospatial sciences as a second degree after falling in love with GIS. She also holds a minor in environmental engineering.
That decision set the tone for her time at OSU – defined by intellectual curiosity, academic excellence and a steady accumulation of research experience, both on campus and far beyond the classroom. Through contributions to climate monitoring, coastal hazard modeling and natural resource recovery, Heather has steadily added to her scientific skillset.
First, she interned at the Philippine DENR geospatial database office, performing hydrological modeling for dams while exposing herself to real-world applications of GIS and science-driven natural resource management.
Then, as an URSA Engage research assistant, she worked with CEOAS Senior Instructor Peder Nelson and team on NASA’s GLOBE Observer project. She used ground-based observations to validate satellite-based remote sensing data – while also supporting citizen scientists in their examination of our changing landscapes.
In 2024, she earned a NASA internship. There, she engineered and calibrated satellite sensors, conducted data analysis and led field expeditions to validate the satellite observations. “I have a strong interest in remote sensing,” she explained, which made it rewarding to connect the technology with predictive climate modeling.
Her work as a research fellow in the Cascadia Coastlines and Peoples Hazards Research Hub focused on coastal hazard modeling simulation tools, where she collaborated with a large, multi-disciplinary team to evaluate risks from earthquakes, tsunamis and climate-driven changes along our coastlines. The research applied her classroom knowledge directly to addressing community resilience in real-world scenarios.
Finally, last summer, as a summer undergraduate research fellow at a highly competitive Purdue University program, Heather investigated methods for recovering heavy metals and rare earth elements from landfill leachate, analyzed samples and performed biochemical and physiochemical sampling in the laboratory.
Her varied research experiences hold a common thread: They applied cutting-edge technology to find solutions to real-world environmental issues. They also exposed her to the idea of pursuing a Ph.D., which she will begin in August and where she is “particularly excited to learn more about recovery from waste streams and unconventional sources,” she said.
Beyond her research, Heather has contributed to the OSU community as both a leader and a mentor. As secretary of the OSU Chess Club, she expanded membership, secured funding and coordinated many events, tournaments and workshops.
“Coming to the States without much of a support network, it became my dearest social circle at OSU,” she said, as “many of my earliest and strongest friendships came from the club.”
She also supported peer learning within CEOAS as an undergraduate learning assistant for several courses, including physical geography, cartography and environmental field studies. Working with instructors Matthew Goslin and Tara Massad made an impact:
“Their passion for teaching and genuine care for students shaped my experience tremendously,” she said, “they encourage me every step of the way.”
As Heather prepares to graduate, she reflects on the purposeful choices she made throughout her journey. From field work to lab research and teaching and mentoring, each experience has strengthened her ability to make observations, work across disciplines and contribute to meaningful solutions.
With graduate school next, Heather leaves CEOAS not only accomplished but very well-prepared, equipped with the skills, experiences and determination to make a difference.