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Creating some buzz

September 26, 2011

Karen Goodell’s research gives strip-mined land chance to heal

By Adam King

Sure her first choice lived close by and smelled really good, but the fragrance of a new prospect was too much to refuse. It was a little further away, and getting there would definitely test her strength — when your wings beat 230 times a second it takes a lot more effort. But frankly, that extra 800 meters was worth the risk when there are so many more flowers — and nectar — to be had.

Road trip!

Continue reading ‘Creating some buzz’

Good to go

September 21, 2011

Ohio State’s technology commercialization VP has big plans to take university research to market

By Jeff McCallister

Brian Cummings has had some heavy expectations loaded upon him from his first day working as Ohio State’s vice president for Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer.

Continue reading ‘Good to go’

Top 3 on 2, 9/22/11

September 21, 2011

Why did you choose to work at Ohio State? I worked here as a student and never wanted to leave OSU after graduation. I loved being a Buckeye as a student and have loved working here.

What do you like about your job? I like being able to work with and learn from such professional and talented people. Everyday I feel challenged and rewarded with learning new things to support the university.

What is the greatest life challenge you’ve overcome? I think that learning how to deal with day-to-day challenges is what life is about. Once I realized that change is constant and life is about overcoming obstacles, I think you can tackle what life throws your way.

How do you apply the ‘One University’ concept? It is exciting to see all the separate and valuable resources at Ohio State working closely together. I am looking forward to being a part of all the changes in the future.

If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you rather be doing? I would love a job that would allow me to travel.

Of what honor or recognition are you most proud? I worked hard when I was a student at OSU. Whenever I made it to the dean’s list, I was always very proud.

Who is your hero? My parents are my role models. They have shaped me into the person I am today. I work every day to provide the same guidance to my children.

What is your favorite activity outside of work? I love to spend time with family and friends. I like watching sports and going to all Buckeye games as much as possible. When weather and time permits, I enjoy a round of golf as well.

What are you going to do when you retire? I hope to travel, spend time on a beach with warm weather and have more time with family.

If you were the university president for a day, what would you do? Don a sweater vest and institute Jim Tressel Day.

To nominate a staff member for an upcoming issue, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.

Building momentum

September 21, 2011

As we continue along the path from Excellence to Eminence, it’s understandable that there will be some reluctance and a bit of resistance. The College of Social Work is an area where one might expect some of that resistance; the concepts are based on theories and practices that we teach and, in many cases, our faculty know more about these concepts than the facilitators who lead the culture retreats. But from the beginning we have been clear that our culture transformation and the retreats aren’t about learning something new — they are about finding new ways of interacting with each other, because how we work together matters.

As we started on the process of culture transformation, the first point I made to faculty and staff was that we’re not trying to fix anything. We are not broken; rather, it was about what we want to become, and what we want to be seen as in the larger community. This shift in thinking was important because when you focus upon your weaknesses, you lock yourself into right now. When you approach culture change as a conversation about what you can become, you can develop your future together.

The beauty of our approach was that we could adjust our activities to better reflect our needs. I felt the first retreat was too corporate and slick. For subsequent retreats, we’ve buffed the sheen off so it felt more genuine and thoughtful to our faculty and staff. But the underlying concepts and language remained the same, offering ways to work together across the university.

That common language was one of the benefits of these efforts. People want to talk but don’t always know how to, and coming together around culture change retreats gave people the common language and skills necessary to have a good conversation. This greater sense of community is integral to our success; if we become more than just a bunch of individuals sharing a building, we can accomplish a lot together.

We’ve seen how applying these concepts can create positive momentum. As we revamped our curriculum for semester conversion, we took a different approach than we might have in the past, and our approach, based on some of the culture transformation concepts, made this a positive, successful experience.

First, we were forward-looking and positive. Rather than focusing on the past and critiquing the current curriculum, which puts those who own it on the defensive, we focused on the future. This gave us the ability to have meaningful, challenging conversations.

Second, we gave permission to disagree — which is a good thing, as there is passion and commitment in disagreement. The only parameters we asked for were to be respectful and creative and not to compromise, but instead to create something better by listening carefully to each other.

Third, we embraced inclusiveness. We thought as a group about what we wanted to create, and we shared ideas. We sought out our colleagues and asked for their input. It also was important to talk with students and the practice community to ensure we were meeting everyone’s needs.

These steps enabled us to create a positive atmosphere in which we could develop a curriculum that maintains and builds on the strengths of one of the oldest accredited colleges, both on campus and across the country. Now other universities have asked us for insight on how to replicate our successful process.

While these steps seem simple, they aren’t always in line with the way we operate in higher education. We are grounded in critical thinking and encourage autonomy. For example, faculty rewards are often based on individual behavior. But to succeed, it often takes a team effort.  Building a team here is a unique challenge, but creating a collaborative work climate among such a talented group yields endless potential.

The leap to eminence occurs collaboratively; doing things together that we can’t do alone. If we approach our work and the changes we’re facing with enthusiasm, not fear, we can surpass our goals.

Eugene Braig, Ohio Sea Grant

September 21, 2011

What are harmful algal blooms and why are they harmful?

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are so named because many produce toxins that can cause illness or irritation — sometimes even death — in pets, livestock and humans. An algal bloom is an abundant or excessive growth of algae. Most HABs are caused by planktonic bacteria, which suspend in the water and rely on currents to move them. The term “algal” is a little misleading in this context because the organisms that normally make up HABs are actually cyanobacteria, which are commonly referred to as “blue-green algae” but are not true algae.

Like plants and true algae, cyanobacteria contain chlorophyll, which captures sunlight to photosynthesize sugars for energy. Aquatic plant and algae growth requires nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, from the water or sediment. Unlike most plants and true algae, many cyanobacteria are able to pull and use (or fix) nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Cyanobacteria can be distributed throughout the water, or they can float to form scums on or near the surface. The cells of many cyanobacteria species grow together in colonies. Blooms can look like slicks of opaque, bright green paint, but closer inspection often reveals the grainy appearance of individual colonies. While most HABs in Ohio will appear greenish or sometimes black, cyanobacterial blooms can have a wide variety of appearances and colors.

How do they affect humans, and what are the risks?

Harmful algal blooms can cause taste and odor problems in drinking water, pollute beaches with scum, reduce oxygen levels for fish and other animals, cause treatment problems for public water supplies and generate toxic chemicals. HABs cause a range of problems for recreation and the environment, but at their worst they cause health problems because they produce toxins.

Human illnesses — sometimes even acute, severe illnesses — are often attributed to HABs, and several deaths in Brazil were associated with a contaminated water supply being used for dialysis in 1996, but there has never been a modern documented case of human death from the ingestion of cyanotoxins.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency monitors our surface waters for potential HABs, and they have implemented a new response strategy to protect public health. In general, people should avoid contact with waters that have HAB advisories posted or anywhere the water is green, has a floating algal scum or is generally discolored. When in doubt, stay out! Rinse yourself, family and pets after swimming in natural waters, and do not drink or cook with lake or pond water. Boiling will not eliminate cyanotoxins. If anyone becomes ill after swimming, seek medical attention immediately.

What can be done to eliminate the blooms from local lakes and water sources?

Total elimination is not practical. Many HAB-forming organisms are native to Ohio and actually should occur in our waters in low abundances. Many only come to cause problems when environmental conditions — often human-induced conditions — favor them. Reducing runoff and the input of nutrients, especially phosphorus, to surface waters can minimize problem blooms. Use lawn and plant fertilizers sparingly; do not over-fertilize or over-water after applying fertilizer. If possible, use phosphorus-free fertilizers. Prevent surface runoff from agricultural and livestock areas. Maintain septic systems; improperly working systems can cause nutrient loading to nearby waters. Maintain native plants along shorelines and in as much of the watershed as possible; plants are excellent filters of nutrients and are essentially maintenance-free.

Antennas in your clothes?

September 21, 2011

New design could pave the way

By Pam Frost Gorder, Research Communications

The next generation of communications systems could be built with a sewing machine.

To make communications devices more reliable, Ohio State researchers are finding ways to incorporate radio antennas directly into clothing, using plastic film and metallic thread.

Continue reading ‘Antennas in your clothes?’

Researchers fight cholera with computer forecasting

September 21, 2011

By Pam Frost Gorder, Research Communications

Just as the rainy season is driving a new surge of cholera cases in Haiti, a new computational model could forecast where outbreaks are likely to occur.

Researchers at Ohio State University are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the project, in the hopes of targeting anti-cholera efforts where they are most needed in the earthquake-ravaged country.

Continue reading ‘Researchers fight cholera with computer forecasting’

Parking vendor could be financial boon to university

September 21, 2011

By Jeff McCallister

One of Geoff Chatas’ main jobs as senior vice president for Business and Finance at Ohio State is to find new and creative ways to maintain and improve the university’s fiscal fitness.

“We’re trying to create an overall philosophy of financial soundness that aligns all of our resources with our academic priorities,” Chatas said. “My charge is to use every responsible means at my disposal to maximize the resources available to support those priorities.”

Continue reading ‘Parking vendor could be financial boon to university’

Have you hugged your tree lately?

September 21, 2011

ArboBlitz embraces protection, preservation of campus trees

By Julia Harris

During the first week of October, don’t be alarmed if you see a bunch of people out on the Oval with their arms wrapped around trees. They’re not making a political statement — they’re making a difference.

Continue reading ‘Have you hugged your tree lately?’

Balancing acts on the docket

September 21, 2011

President and Provost’s Council on Women sets two initiatives for academic year

By Julia Harris

Smartphones, iPods, iPads, e-mail, Internet … The heat is on to be connected everywhere and every moment, creating tension and blurring boundaries between work and home. How do we balance the competing demands for our time and attention?

Continue reading ‘Balancing acts on the docket’

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