Points of Pride/2008
Research Excellence
One hundred seventeen faculty members conduct fully-funded research on a variety of globally-important topics, from biofuels to improving food crops to searching for ways to develop more specifically-targeted drugs. They received nearly $20M in 2007 from federal-granting agencies, such as: NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, USDA; state agencies; nonprofit foundations; and industry.
Major Awards include
- Biocomplexity grant (NSF) to David Culver
- Arabidopsis 2010 award (NSF) to Erich Grotewold and Rebecca Lamb
- Tree of Life grant (NSF) to Marymegan Daly
- DOE awards to Robert Tabita for biofuels research
- NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Site Award for Amanda Simcox and Venkat Gopalan
Ohio State’s Targeted Investment in Excellence (TIE) Initiative
We contribute to three of these high-priority research programs, Mathematical Biosciences, Public Health Preparedness, and Plant Translational Sciences, selected for their excellence, impact and viability in making significant contributions to important, multi-disciplinary areas.
World-Class Faculty
The strength of our outstanding faculty is bolstered by four Ohio Eminent Scholars: Karin Musier-Forsyth, Biochemistry, Chemistry; Stephen A. Osmani, Molecular Genetics; F. Robert Tabita, Microbiology; Peng George Wang, Biochemistry, Chemistry; National Academy of Sciences’ member and Distinguished University Professor David Denlinger; College Distinguished Professors: Tina Henkin, Microbiology, and Richard T. Sayre, Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology; and Rod Sharp Professor of Microbiology, John N. Reeve. Additionally, Tina Henkin received the Molecular Biology Medal from the National Academy of Sciences; Scientific American named Allison Snow, EEOB, one of the country’s Top 50 Scientists; and fourteen faculty members are Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Faculty Publications & Presentations
Regional/local Presentations: 141; National/International Presentations: 374; Publications: 223, in 2007
Outstanding Students
Undergraduate Students
Our undergraduates are diverse and represent the best at Ohio State: involved, motivated high-achievers. Many are in the Honors and Scholars Programs. They are recognized for scholarship, research, leadership, and community service; and, they graduate on-time, well-prepared for a variety of careers or graduate or professional school. They may choose from eight majors, including Ohio State’s Biggest Major: Biology.
Graduate Students
Our graduate students earn prestigious externally-funded Fellowships and University Fellowships and present award-winning papers at national scientific meetings. We offer 11 graduate programs, departmental and interdisciplinary. Upon completing their degrees, more than half of our doctoral students (67%) find employment with universities; while 11% work for government agencies, 14% at non-government agencies and seven% in industry.
Exceptional Educational Environment
Center for Life Sciences Education
The Center for Life Sciences Education provides a revamped biology curriculum and focused, enhanced learning opportunities for our students, including one-on-one tutoring.
Individual Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Each quarter, at least 200 of our students design and conduct individualized, faculty-guided research projects.
A Showcase for Research Results
Our Annual Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Colloquium gives students the chance to hone their presentation skills in a setting approximating a scientific society meeting and compete for recognition and prizes. It also prepares our students to be highly-competitive in the University-wide Denman Research Colloquium, where typically, they garner 25% of the top awards.
Outreach
Museum of Biological Diversity
The Museum of Biological Diversity (MBD) holds its Annual Public Lecture and Open House in February. Each year, these events focus on a theme. In 2008, “Alien Invaders,” take center stage. The popular Open House, which drew more than 1,000 visitors last year, features special exhibits, hands-on activities for children, and tours offering a rare look inside a research museum.
Biological Sciences Greenhouse
The Biological Sciences Greenhouse staff gives educational tours to more than a thousand school children each year. The Greenhouse hosts several OSU art classes each winter, providing a warm alternative to sketching outdoors. Also, Greenhouse staff members take their plants on the road, going out to local schools and participating in a variety of events, including the MBD Open House.
Metro High School
We are a full partner with Columbus Public Schools’ Metro School, whose curriculum focuses on math, science and technology.
REU Summer Program
The Departments of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry host a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation. This rigorous program provides undergraduates the opportunity to participate in individualized research projects, seminars, discussions and field trips, culminating with student presentations
