New job and internship opportunities

Here are some new employment and internship opportunities for recent science graduates and current students:

• The J.M. Smucker Company is looking for an intern for their coffee division.  One of our biology graduates (Jackie Skiba '10) currently works in that department already.  They prefer a candidate pursuing a degree in chemistry or food science, but perhaps any chemistry experience would make you elegible (Biochemistry major or Biology major with significant chemistry experience; posting requires at least one year of general chemistry and some analytical chemistry experience).  You need to be at least a rising sophomore this coming Fall.  This is a paid internship.  You can find other current opportunities at Smucker's here.
• Okamoto, an automotive parts manufacturer is looking for an environmental, health and safety intern.  They prefer a junior, senior or graduate with some OSHA and EPA regulation experience.  It is unclear from the posting what this pays.
• Ohio State Mansfield is looking for a part time laboratory assistant for lab prep and animal maintenance.  If interested contact Associate Dean David Tovey at tovey.2@osu.edu.

Forensics major attends national toxicology science meeting

Forensic biology major Lynette Vana recently attended the annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology in San Francisco after receiving a travel grant from the society.  The grant was part of a program for undergraduate science students to introduce them to careers in toxicology.  The society paid for Lynette's travel and housing at the meeting as well as registration costs, and Lynette was assigned a sponsor who mentored her during the meeting.  There were also opportunities to meet with representatives from graduate school programs and see presentations on the latest research in toxicology.

Lynette developed her own independent research project during a summer internship with WIL Research Laboratories here in Ashland, Ohio, and is continuing that project with Dr. Mason Posner in AU's own research labs.  She recently presented results from her research at the annual meeting of the Ohio Academy of Sciences held here on the Ashland campus.

If you are interested in attending a future meeting of the Society of Toxicology you can find information on this and other travel grants here.  Applications are typically due October 9th for the 2013 meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Science building renovations underway

A typical hallway scene these days

Our science departments have seen a lot of growth over the past three years with the addition of courses for students in the University's new Dwight Schar College of Nursing, more students looking for coursework to prepare them for health careers and increases in the numbers of science majors.  To help accomodate more students, new faculty and new courses we are undergoing a $1.4 million renovation of our Kettering Science Center this summer.  Here are some photos to give you a taste of the action.

Our old microbiology lab pre-renovation

The micro lab with new flooring and gas lines will now become
a faculty/student research lab

The new faculty/student research lab with benches

Biology graduate Carrie LaCava begins practicing veterinary medicine

We are excited to report that Biology alumna Carrie LaCava '07 recently graduated with her DVM from The Ohio State University and will begin practicing veterinary medicine in southern Illinois.  Carrie will be working in a practice with five other doctors performing both small and large animal appointments and surgeries.

Prior to starting veterinary school Carrie shadowed and worked with several veterinary clinics.  While a student at Ashland University she also conducted undergraduate research with Dr. Mason Posner, resulting in co-authorship of a research paper in 2008.  Following closely behind her are two additional alums, Nichole Olp '10 and Michelle Stark '09, who both started veterinary programs last year.

Congratulations Carrie!