Biography

Randall L. Milstein, Ph.D., has been a faculty member at Oregon State University since 1990. Dr. Milstein teaches astronomy and energy alternatives classes in the OSU Physics Department, and numerous specialty courses in the University Honors College. Dr. Milstein was Astronomer-in-Residence to the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium from 2016 - 2022. Dr. Milstein’s research interests include astrogeology, impact-cratering dynamics, and archaeo-astronomy: he is a regular outreach speaker and enjoys engaging with the public on topics of science, astronomy, and the roll of science fiction in popular culture. Dr. Milstein co-hosts the annual OSU TrekWars celebration and is a frequent contributor to video and podcasts from the OSU Annares Project for Alternative Futures.

Before his career as a professional scientist, Dr. Milstein was educated and trained as a photographer. Most noted for his dance photography, recently he has begun photographing portraits of cosplayers at popular culture conventions and interviewing them about their creative process, costume choices, and commitment to their cosplay personas. Randall Milstein's photographs appear in solo and group exhibitions; are represented in government, corporate, and private collections; and appear in numerous publications, books, posters, and advertisements.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Geology – 1994 Oregon State University. Master of Arts in Earth Science - 1986 University of Northern Colorado. Bachelors of Science - 1979 Western Michigan University. Associate of Fine Arts - 1976 Northwestern Michigan College