Monday, May 21, 2012

Ashland University hosts the Ohio Academy of Science


AU alum Dr. J. Patrick Card provided the
keynote address for the Ohio Academy of
Science Meeting at Ashland University

The 121st annual meeting of the Ohio Academy of Science was held on the Ashland University campus on April 13 and 14. The meeting was attended by more than 300 academic, government, and industry scientists and engineers, including faculty and students from many of Ohio’s universities and colleges, as well as precollege teachers and students.  The theme of the meeting was Undergraduate Research, which was highlighted in an afternoon symposium featuring several Ashland University faculty members discussing their work with undergraduate students, as well as Dr. Tonia Hsieh of Temple University.
The meeting was keynoted by Dr. J. Patrick Card, a 1972 graduate of Ashland University. Card is professor of Neuroscience and co-director of the Center for Neuroanatomy with Neurotropic Viruses at the University of Pittsburgh. His lecture was titled “Mentorship, A Key to Success in Research, Teaching and Life,” and drew from his personal experience in studying the functional organization of the hypothalamus and central autonomic networks to highlight the importance of mentorship in developing a successful career in academia or industry.
Ashland’s science programs were well-represented at the meeting by numerous student oral and poster presentations of their research in Biology, Chemistry and Geology.
Lynette Vana stands by her poster reporting on the effects of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on rat gene expression in the brain, which was advised by Dr. Mason Posner.
Julie Arko (left) and MaryKate Casper stand by their posters describing research on polymer synthesis with Dr. Perry Corbin.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Geology/Environmental Science Major receives Scholarship



Ashland University junior Mitch Ramsey has been selected to receive a $1000 Central OhioMineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show Scholarship.  This scholarship is offered to a deserving student of the earth sciences. It holds an annual minimum of $1,000. This Gem and Jewelry Show is an annual show held in the spring in Columbus, Ohio, and its purpose is to educate the general public and promote the encouragement of careers in the earth sciences.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Job Outlook Bright in the Sciences


A new report from Change the Equation.org finds that the job outlook is good for individuals with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background. Their analysis of online job postings and unemployment data in the past 3 years finds that across the STEM fields, job postings outnumbered unemployed people by almost 2-to-1, while overall, unemployed people outnumbered job postings by well more than 3-to-1.  For healthcare occupations that require STEM training, there were 3.2 jobs per unemployed person.

"Our analysis of online job postings and unemployment data shows similar patterns across every state," said Linda Rosen, CEO of Change the Equation. "For their own economic vitality, states must put in place policies that help workers get retrained with STEM skills, offer incentives to students to master STEM knowledge, and focus on the pipeline--beginning in elementary school--to create a robust supply of STEM-adept citizens."
The "STEM Help Wanted" Vital Signs report is available at the organization’s website at www.changetheequation.org/stemdemand.  Change the Equation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that is mobilizing the business community to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning in the United States. 

Kettering labs and classrooms undergoing renovations



With the growth of the Chemistry and Biology programs as a consequence of adding the new Dwight Schar College of Nursing and HealthSciences, additional renovations are being made to Kettering Science Center this summer.  Demolition of old classroom and laboratory spaces began on May 7th and will be completed prior to the start of fall classes.  The $1.4 million project will provide a completely renovated Analytical Chemistry laboratory, a new Microbiology laboratory, three new research laboratories to support faculty-mentored student research in Chemistry, Biology, and Geology, and relocation of the Geology teaching laboratory and microscopy room.