Special onCampus News Bulletin

Trustees elect Georgia provost to lead University

Karen A. Holbrook will take reins as Ohio State's 13th president on Oct. 1

The Ohio State Board of Trustees has elected Dr. Karen A. Holbrook the University's 13th president. Holbrook, who has been senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia since 1998, will assume her new position Oct. 1.

Holbrook, 59, was recommended to the Board of Trustees by the 18-member Presidential Search Committee led by Board Chair James F. Patterson. Her appointment was approved unanimously at a special meeting of trustees held July 25.

"We stated at the beginning of our search process that we wanted to find the best person possible to advance Ohio State's academic excellence and to succeed in positioning the University among the world's truly great public teaching and research institutions," said Patterson. "In Dr. Holbrook, we have found that person and have every confidence that her experience and leadership will create the momentum necessary to fulfill the vision and aspirations outlined in our Academic Plan."

Beyond her unequivocal commitment to academic excellence, Patterson said that search committee members and trustees were impressed with Dr. Holbrook's passion for Ohio State. "Her passion, and I do mean passion," said Patterson, "was evident in every one of our many conversations. Dr. Holbrook believes that all the right pieces are in place -- strong professional schools, excellent graduate programs and a commitment to further enhancing the undergraduate experience -- for Ohio State to realize its ambitions for greatness."

Patterson emphasized that Dr. Holbrook meets or exceeds all the attributes in the University's presidential profile. "Across the board," he said, "Dr. Holbrook best met our search criteria. She brings boundless energy along with integrity, confidence, intellect and judgment, all coupled with superb interpersonal and communicative skills."

Patterson also said that Holbrook was chosen because of her broad experience at three institutions that bear many similarities to Ohio State -- the University of Washington and the University of Florida, as well as the University of Georgia. He noted that while at those institutions Dr. Holbrook earned a reputation for building strong, positive relationships with faculty, staff and students.

At Georgia, Dr. Holbrook served for four years as provost, professor of cell biology, and adjunct professor of anatomy and cell biology and medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. She also played a key role in developing Georgia's strategic plan, analogous to Ohio State's Academic Plan, which among other things includes a strong commitment to diversity and sets ambitious diversity goals. Working with the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, she strongly supported the efforts of faculty and research leaders to successfully expand Georgia's federal research funding. Dr. Holbrook was also instrumental in helping create the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute at the university.

At the University of Florida, Dr. Holbrook served as vice president for research as well as dean of the graduate school. While there, she organized and chaired an effort co-sponsored with Florida's governor to define a strategy for the future of science and technology in the state.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Holbrook received bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. in biological structure from the University of Washington. Before going to Georgia in 1998, she served as an instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, associate dean and professor of biological structure and medicine at the University of Washington (1972-93) and as vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at the University of Florida (1993-98).

Her husband, Jim, now retired, is an oceanographer and past deputy director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Research Laboratory in Seattle. She and her husband have one son, James, who will soon graduate from the University of Georgia.

Patterson said that the search committee reviewed well over 100 candidates, narrowing the list first to about 50 names and meeting face-to-face with more than a dozen individuals. He added that the committee considered a broad and diverse universe of people, looking at presidents and provosts at major public and private universities.

Holbrook's annual salary at Ohio State will be $325,000.

Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is America's oldest state-chartered university. Like Ohio State, it is a land-grant institution. Fall 2001 enrollment totaled 32,317, the highest in its history. Its annual budget is $1.3 billion, and the university is ranked 18th by U.S. News & World Report on its 2002 list of 50 top public universities.

Jennings to create new vice president for government relations

Napier named to acting posItion

Interim President Edward H. Jennings will ask the University's Board of Trustees to approve establishment of a new position, vice president for government relations, at the board's Sept. 6 meeting.

William J. Napier, currently special assistant to the president for government relations and secretary of the Board of Trustees, will serve in the position in an acting capacity. Jennings said that Napier is a candidate to fill the position permanently.

"Increasingly, government issues at the federal, state and local levels are affecting higher education in a critical way, which means we must take a more focused and dedicated approach," Jennings said. "In addition, the nature of our working relationship with the Ohio General Assembly has grown more complex and time demands have increased, especially as term limits have become a reality. In this era of constant turnover, it is more important than ever that we take the time to work with legislators to explain the University's priorities and their benefit to the state of Ohio."

William J. Napier

Napier has worked in government relations in higher education since the late 1970s. "The challenge of term limits, with officials moving in and out of public life, makes it even more important that we continue to build and maintain strong relationships with our political leaders," Napier said.

Board Chair James F. Patterson said the trustees are supportive of Jennings' efforts to enhance the University's government relations activities and his request for Napier to assume the expanded responsibilities. "Bill's experience will be of enormous benefit in this critical area," he said.

Jennings said that in his new capacity, Napier will relinquish his role as secretary of the board. Jennings said that an announcement regarding Napier's replacement in that role will be made at a later time.

Napier has worked for four Ohio State University presidents -- Harold L. Enarson, Jennings, E. Gordon Gee and Brit Kirwan -- in government relations and executive assistant capacities. From 1984 to 1996, he was vice chancellor for external affairs for the Ohio Board of Regents, and served as acting chancellor for a period in 1995. He also has held elective office in Upper Arlington, serving as vice mayor from 1996 to 1998, and as a city council member from 1987 to 1998.

He serves on the Midwest Higher Education Commission, appointed by then-Gov. George V. Voinovich and re-appointed by Gov. Bob Taft. He also serves as the commission's treasurer. Napier also is on the board of trustees of the Mount Carmel College of Nursing and the Ohio Children's Alliance (formerly the Ohio Hunger Task Force).

Napier earned a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State. He also earned a bachelor of arts degree from Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn.; a master of science in city planning from the University of Tennessee; and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Alabama.

By Jo McCulty Avner Friedman is director of the new Mathematical Biosciences Institute.

New institute is the first-ever to unite math, life sciences

A new $10 million institute at Ohio State will connect research in mathematics, statistics and computing with the biological and medical sciences.

The National Science Foundation will fund the nation's first-ever Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) -- an interdisciplinary center designed to develop mathematical and statistical models and theories to answer the life sciences' ever-growing need for data analysis.

"From the completion of the human genome project to the fight against diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, we've harvested incredible amounts of data that must be managed in new and better ways," said Avner Friedman, director of the MBI and professor of mathematics. "Society is eager to see basic research and technological advances translated into better diagnostic and remedial tools for health problems."

Friedman, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, said the MBI will encourage relationships between mathematicians and life scientists, and nurture a community of scholars through education and support of students and researchers in mathematical biosciences.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for Ohio State, and the entire state of Ohio," said former President Brit Kirwan, who also is a professor of mathematics. "Moreover, the new institute will mesh well with the biomedical research initiative the University will undertake as part of its new Academic Plan.

"The interdisciplinary research that will result from the collaborations encouraged through the MBI will place Ohio State and Ohio at the forefront of some of the most important research of the 21st century," Kirwan added.

"Ohio State is an outstanding location for this institute, given our strengths in all the basic research areas," said Brad Moore, vice president for research. He added that the MBI will join a long list of prestigious research centers at Ohio State, including the Byrd Polar Research Center, the Spectroscopy Institute, and the Environmental Molecular Sciences Institute, among some 40 others.

Peter March chair, Department of Mathematics	Douglas Wolfe chair, Department of Statistics

"Three of the awards granted to the department involve interdisciplinary research in the biological and medical sciences," said Doug Wolfe, chair of the Department of Statistics. "We already have well-established programs in statistical genetics, spatial statistics and biostatistics. These programs contributed to the MBI proposal and will benefit from the new initiatives that will result from the establishment of the institute."

"Math and statistics are often the silent research partners in great scientific advances," said Peter March, chair of the Department of Mathematics. "But in fact, there is a long tradition of applying mathematical models to meet challenges in the natural sciences."

The interdisciplinary nature of the institute was central to its inception. Friedman, whose interest has been in the sources of mathematical problems, began probing the possibility of a mathematical biosciences institute more than a year ago. His efforts involved the departments of statistics, pharmacology, neurosciences, and the colleges of engineering, pharmacy, biological sciences and medicine. Many of the collaborations to be enhanced by the MBI are already well established, Friedman said.

Additional activities at the MBI will include:

• A succession of year-long programs, each focusing on a specific research area. The first (2002-03) program will involve mathematical neurosciences -- the use of math and statistical modeling for studying the brain. The second (2003-04) program will focus on cellular processes and the immune system.

• In-depth workshops and tutorials to introduce mathematical researchers to the subject of that year's program. Visitors and postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to take part in each unique, interdisciplinary program.

• Current topics workshops that will explore the most recent advances in the biological and medical sciences.

• Summer programs for undergraduate students, high school teachers and college teachers.

• A series of public lectures by prominent scientists, to explore scientific controversies in a lively format.

The MBI will officially open Sept. 1. Temporarily, facilities will be located in Cockins Hall and the Math Building on Ohio State's main campus. The institute will then move to its permanent home in Edward H. Jennings Hall, formerly known as the Botany and Zoology Building, once that building is renovated.

The National Science Foundation will fund the MBI with approximately $2 million per year for five years, and has the option of renewing funding in 2007.

Operating plans for new research tower, heart hospital approved by trustees

The Ohio State Board of Trustees this month took the next step in positioning the University and the state at the forefront of biomedical technology and multidisciplinary heart care with its approval of operating plans for two prominent construction projects on the health sciences campus. The University now will proceed with developing construction plans for the Biomedical Research Tower and the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.

Completing these projects, integral to the University's Academic Plan for becoming a top public research institution, represents a major University commitment to stimulate and expand Ohio's position as a leader in biomedical research and world-class cardiovascular care, according to Interim President Edward H. Jennings.

"These facilities will greatly advance our academic mission and international reputation while bringing enormous value in health care, advanced technology and economic growth to the state of Ohio and its citizens," Jennings said.

Fred Sanfilippo, senior vice president for health sciences and dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health, agreed. "We are in an era where the interface of basic biomedical research and patient care is providing the earliest possible diagnosis and most advanced treatment of human diseases and health disorders. The Biomedical Research Tower and Ross Heart Hospital will ensure that people of central Ohio and beyond will have prime and timely access to this research and the cutting-edge care it makes possible."

The Biomedical Research Tower, to be located off West 12th Avenue adjacent to The Ohio State University Medical Center, will be a magnet for scientists involved in ground-breaking research and education. The 10-story towe will include laboratories for researchers in a variety of disciplines as well as core laboratories for central research functions.

Projected to open in 2006, the tower nearly doubles the amount of biomedical research space on campus and provides a centralized facility for educating OSU students, according to Caroline Whitacre, associate vice president for health sciences research and vice dean for research at the College of Medicine and Public Health.

"Scientists working in the Biomedical Research Tower will focus much of their efforts on understanding the cellular and molecular biology of disease, and the development of gene-based therapies, which will ultimately lead to improved medical therapeutics," said Whitacre.

Core labs will be designated for studies in proteomics, genomics, imaging microbial and cellular interactions, biomedical informatics, cell signalling, microscopy, histology and cytometry. Approximately 1,000 people will be working in the tower, including researchers, technologists and clerical support staff.

Whitacre said design of the tower will facilitate group interactions between researchers and will allow ready collaboration with clinicians at OSU Medical Center, including those in University Hospitals and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

"We not only hope to spin-off successful technology to foster growth of new business ventures within the state, but also to apply what we learn for the benefit of our own patients," she said. "This transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the bedside is very important to our success and vital to our mission as an academic medical center."

Research conducted in the Biomedical Research Tower also will benefit the University by attracting additional extramural financial support, patents and licensing opportunities.

It is estimated the Biomedical Research Tower will result in $3.7 billion being spent in Ohio on research-related initiatives in the initial 10-year period after it opens. In addition, it is expected to lead to the creation of 17,000 jobs.

Funding of the $151 million tower cost comes largely from private donations, bonds and OSU funds.

Heart Hospital to join elite group

When completed in 2004, the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital will place the OSU Medical Center among a small group of academic medical centers that have melded cardiovascular research with clinical care to form freestanding heart programs. The Ross Heart Hospital will provide inpatient and outpatient care in a four-story, 90-bed facility specifically designed for the care of heart patients with a wide range of conditions and needs, including catheterization, pacemaker implantation, surgical bypass, mechanical heart pumps and transplants.

With research and studies being conducted in the adjacent Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, the Heart Hospital will provide a level of expertise not available elsewhere in the region by enhancing the transfer of knowledge from researchers to patients.

R. Reed Fraley, vice president for health services, said OSU Medical Center is seeing an increased demand for the services offered by its heart specialists and there is a need to provide the care efficiently and effectively. "Moving the existing heart program to a dedicated facility enables us to capitalize on our strengths and provide patients and their families with nationally acclaimed heart care that is easily accessed from any point in and around Columbus," he said.

Several years were spent planning and developing a model for a heart hospital that would advance patient care, medical education and research. The proximity of the proposed heart hospital to the Heart and Lung Research Institute will complement the university's research initiatives, while its location next to University Hospitals will provide it ready access to existing clinical support services.

In addition to the 90 beds, the new heart hospital will have six operating rooms, six cardiology suites, an outpatient clinic with 20 exam rooms and 10 consult rooms.

The $82.8 million construction cost will be borne largely by the Hospitals and private fund raising.

The James, Med Center named 'best hospitals'

The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and the University Medical Center both are recognized as being among the nation's best hospitals in a new survey by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

The survey of the nation's public and private hospitals is considered to be among the most comprehensive surveys of its type and appears in the July 22 issue of the magazine.

The James was ranked 21st in the country among all cancer hospitals in the country, and also listed as among the best for treating cancers of the head and neck.

David Schuller, director of The James, said national recognition of cancer programs at The James is a reflection of the hard work and teamwork among the staff. "We have many dedicated people who give totally of themselves to improve the lives of cancer patients, and this recognition is largely an honor to them," he said. He added that for the health care consumer, the survey is one of several tools they can use to help them choose a medical facility if the need arises.

OSU Medical Center was recognized by the magazine for its expertise in several areas, including gynecology, hormonal disorders, kidney disease, physical rehabilitation, respiratory disease, and disorders of the ears, nose and throat.

Kam Sigafoos, associate executive director at OSU Medical Center, said the magazine survey reflects well on Ohio State and Columbus. "I'm pleased for our staff who ultimately make achievements like this possible, but the survey also brings nice attention to Columbus and our central Ohio neighbors who support us," she said.

Hospitals selected for the magazine's rankings are institutions of varying sizes around the country. Measurements such as mortality data, staffing levels and technology are considered to compile the final lists. This year, 205 top medical centers are listed, winnowed from 6,045.

The James is the only free-standing cancer hospital in the Midwest. It is a national leader in translational research and clinical care, and one of the charter members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

The OSU Medical Center has one of the largest and most complete health care programs in Ohio, with an emphasis on patient care, research and training of medical professionals.

At the Medical Center, health and medical care is provided to patients by OSU Hospitals, The James, University Hospitals East, OSU & Harding Behavioral Healthcare and Medicine, and at more than 35 primary and specialty care sites throughout central Ohio.

"America's Best Hospitals" can be viewed online at www.usnews.com.