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OSU, Battelle appoint VP to lead their collaboration

Posted on | October 7, 2009 | 1,662 views |

One of the world’s leading independent research and development organizations and one of the world’s premier research universities announced a major step in expanding their collaboration on scientific research and community development efforts.

Battelle and Ohio State have established a joint appointment to lead the joint initiatives and strategy development between the two organizations. Blake Thompson, PhD, named vice president for the Battelle/Ohio State collaboration, will spearhead broad interactions between the two organizations in the areas of laboratory science and technology, economic development and industrial relations.

“Our organizations have a long and proud history of working together to enhance the community and address some of the nation’s most pressing issues,” said Jeff Wadsworth, president and CEO of Battelle. “Blake’s appointment represents another step toward our organizations devoting increased attention to a growing list of strategic projects and joint research/economic development ventures,” Wadsworth added.

Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee agreed.

“Together, Ohio State and Battelle have unparalleled intellectual resources to bring to bear on issues central to the future of Ohio and this nation,” said Gee. “Now more than ever, we are duty-bound to fulfill our shared, core purpose of improving lives. With Blake’s leadership, we will strengthen and expand our partnership, enabling us to make meaningful and enduring advances — in scientific inquiry, in economic development and in individual lives.”

The two organizations already collaborate on a number of fronts.

■ Recently, Ohio State announced Wadsworth will chair the newly-created OSU Medical Center board charged with enhancing strategic alignment between the Medical Center’s five individual hospital boards as the university embarks on its largest medical expansion ever.

■ Metro High School is a successful collaborative effort between Battelle, Ohio State and 16 Franklin County school districts to provide a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-focused high school and early college experience. Metro catalyzed a state-wide initiative that now consists of nine STEM schools.

■ The Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy housed at Ohio State’s John Glenn School of Public Affairs brings higher education together with leaders in K-12 education, business, technology and government to develop policies and practices that will increase the number of students prepared to become leaders in STEM fields.

■ Battelle estimates that in the last decade it has provided approximately $88 million to Ohio State through fellowships, scholarships, research grants and other contributions.

“I look forward to working as a part of these two outstanding institutions. Together, Battelle and Ohio State have unrivaled capabilities to address the nation’s most pressing issues in energy, health care and other areas, while further enhancing this great community,” said Thompson, who has served as director of University Partnerships for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Department of Energy’s largest science laboratory, and also worked as part of the University of Tennessee System administration.

In these roles, he was responsible for the development and management of partnerships between leading academic and research institutions. He formerly worked as deputy staff director for the US Senate Committee on Appropriations.

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