Environmental and Life Sciences at Ohio State
Launch of the Environmental Sciences Network and Life Sciences Network
On October 31, 2011, all Ohio State graduate faculty members received an electronic letter announcing the launches of the Environmental Sciences Network and the Life Sciences Network. Full announcement
The networks will help draw together Ohio State faculty, graduate students, and others who are advancing research in the environmental sciences and the life sciences. The networks will provide the support necessary for faculty and graduate students across our full range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary graduate programs to address important research topics in ways that have not been possible in the past.
Two Ohio State faculty members have been appointed to serve as the networks' first executive directors--Richard Moore, Environmental Sciences Network, and Kathlleen Boris-Lawrie, Life Sciences Network. More
Background
Ohio State has tremendous strengths in the life sciences and environmental sciences, which was a finding in the Graduate School's doctoral program assessment process in spring 2008. In fall 2008, the provost convened two faculty task forces to explore the current state of Ohio State's efforts in these two broad, interdisciplinary fields.
Initial task force findings included: eliminating administrative and budget barriers between departmental and interdisciplinary graduate programs (IGPs); changing the culture of deans/chairs/faculty to recognize and support IGP efforts; focusing on major external funding opportunities; strengthening existing interdisciplinary graduate programs and nurturing new teams; increasing visibility of Ohio State research efforts and academic programs via web-based portals; and utilizing improved networking and knowledge management tools.
The reports from these task forces are providing the foundation for Ohio State's efforts to capitalize on these strengths by
- catalyzing faculty and graduate students,
- identifying and prioritizing research activities and funding opportunities,
- providing more support for these activities, and
- increasing the visibility of Ohio State's efforts in these critical areas.
Program Council for Life and Environmental Sciences
A Program Council for Life and Environmental Sciences, chaired by Pat Osmer, dean of the Graduate School, is providing leadership for this effort. The program council is comprised of college deans with major efforts in the life and environmental sciences and is being advised by faculty steering committees.
Program council members: Bob Brueggemeier, dean of the College of Pharmacy; Joe Steinmetz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Bobby Moser, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Science; Lonnie King, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine; Charles Lockwood,dean of the College of Medicine; David Williams, dean of the College of Engineering; and Carol Whitacre, vice president for research.
The lead dean for life sciences is Bob Brueggemeier, and the lead dean for environmental sciences is Joe Steinmetz.
Task force documents
Environmental Sciences task force report and summary
Charge to ES task force and membership
Life Sciences task force report and summary
Charge to LS task force and membership
Requests for information and questions may be directed to Susan Reeser, assistant to the dean, at (614) 247-7413.
Related Links
Need help?
Contact staff members in the Graduate School using the staff directory, or call (614) 292-6031.
The Ohio State University Graduate School