Saif elected to National Academy of Sciences

Enteric animal disease research recognized around the world

By HOLLY WAGNER, Research Communications

An Ohio State virologist and immunologist has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Linda Saif, a professor in the Food Animal Health Research Program and the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, was one of 72 scientists awarded membership April 29 by the Academy in Washington, D.C. Election to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on a U.S. scientist or engineer.

Linda Saif     Courtesy of OARDC

"To be named to the National Academy of Sciences is a great honor for any researcher, as it reflects the importance of the work she and her colleagues have accomplished over the years. The university recognizes Dr. Saif’s diligence and hard work. It’s this kind of dedication that makes Ohio State a world class research institution,"said President Karen Holbrook.

Saif, who is based at the Ohio Agricultural and Research Development Center in Wooster, is known around the world for her work on enteric animal diseases -- those relating to the digestive system, and specifically the intestines. She works primarily with pathogens such as rotavirus, calicivirus and coronavirus. Certain strains of the viruses can cause gastrointestinal illnesses in humans, especially children. Each year, rotavirus takes the lives of nearly 800,000 infants and young children worldwide.

Saif is an authority on coronavirus, the pathogen suspected of causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). She is one of several scientists who are helping the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention better understand -- and possibly create vaccines for -- SARS.

Credited with discovering the potential for enteric viral infections in animals to infect human populations in epidemic proportions, Saif also is recognized for extending the discovery process from the basic molecular biology of the virus to the interaction of the virus and host, to understanding how the host eliminates the organism, and to developing methods for detecting and controlling the organism.

She and her colleagues were the first to discover the immunologic interrelationships among various tissues of the common mucosal immune system and exploit this system to develop new approaches for vaccination.

Her nearly 30 years of research as an Ohio State scientist have shed light on the workings of particularly heinous viruses for which there are no effective vaccines. She and her colleagues at OARDC and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases were the first to isolate a human rotavirus pathogen in germ-free pigs and then grow it in a laboratory, making it far easier for scientists to learn what makes the virus tick. Current research projects include immune response to the rotavirus, rotavirus pathogenesis, DNA vaccines, enteric pathogens in oysters, pathogenesis of human caliciviruses, and effects of nutrition and waste management technologies on pathogens in animal manure.

"The College of Veterinary Medicine is deeply honored to have one of its distinguished faculty receive one of the highest honors that any scientist can achieve,"said Dean Glen Hoffsis. "Dr. Saif is a world authority on viral infections and the immune response to these infections. Her contributions have improved the health of man and animals worldwide."

Tom Rosol, interim vice president for research at Ohio State and a professor of veterinary biosciences, said "Nearly 30 years of consistent advances in the field of enteric viruses have made Dr. Saif a world-renowned expert on such pathogens and the diseases they cause. That knowledge does and will continue to have a dramatic impact on human and animal health."

Saif said, "This is a true honor, as it reflects the advances, dedication and achievements of science. I never believed that I would be in the company of such esteemed scientists. I had the good fortune of having a dedicated adviser, Dr. Edward Bohl, as I pursued master’s and doctoral degrees at Ohio State, and I still rely on and seek that kind of collaboration and pursuit of excellence with my colleagues and students today."

She has been published extensively in books and journals and has been awarded numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent, Belgium, in 2003. She has participated in professional service and peer review panels and has garnered more than $14 million in research grants throughout her career. Saif is currently the principal or co-investigator on 13 research projects totaling more than $8 million in funding from organizations such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Saif received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in 1969 and her doctorate in microbiology from Ohio State in 1976. She stayed on at the university, working as a postdoctoral researcher at OARDC and gained assistant professor status in 1979. She rose through the ranks, and in 2002 became the first Ohio State researcher not based on the Columbus campus to be recognized as a Distinguished University Professor -- the highest honor the university gives its faculty.

New National Academy of Sciences Fellows are elected by current members. Members and associates are recognized for their significant and ongoing achievements in original research.

Sixteen Ohio State faculty hold membership in the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine or the National Academy of Engineering.

By Eric Lowry Erica Claman explains her project to Oral Biology Professor John Sheridan. Claman’s work, "Identity Conflict: Religion and Sexual Orientation Identities Through an Action Identification Perspective,"earned third place in the psychology category.

Record number of projects showcased at Denman Research Forum

By LIZ COOK, Media Relations

Third-year student Ebun Taiwo was a double winner in this year’s Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Her project, "Nastier, Noisier, Costlier -- but are they more competitive?,"earned her a third-place finish in the social and behavioral science/education category, and she also was recognized for the best overall presentation by a junior. The triple major -- who studies political science, African-American Studies and French -- lauded the forum for providing her the opportunity to present her study of the increasing competitiveness of judicial elections to some of the university’s pre-eminent faculty.

"I think it’s important that we get to share our research. Much of it is quite tedious, so it’s nice for people to see the results of the many hours we’ve invested,"Taiwo said. "It’s also a great opportunity to receive feedback. I was asked some questions I hadn’t considered, so there are areas I’d like to clarify and improve before I present this project in the future."

A record number of Ohio State students participated in the Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum May 15 at the Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Executive Conference Center.

In its eighth year, the forum showcased the work of 228 undergraduates, representing every research area: agricultural and environmental sciences, arts/architecture, biological sciences, engineering, health professions, humanities/business, mathematical and physical sciences, mechanical engineering/materials sciences and engineering, medical biological sciences, psychology/biospsychology, and social and behavioral sciences/education.

Tom Rosol, interim vice president for research, said research is a vital part of the education process for undergraduates as well as graduate students.

"Undergraduate student research is a two-way street,"Rosol said. "It is an excellent opportunity for students to experience the high quality of research conducted by our faculty and to make significant contributions to the process.

"Students really are the driving force for research in many laboratories and scholarly programs at Ohio State."

Senior chemistry major Peter Webber, who was awarded second place in mathematical and physical sciences for his project "Kendomycin: a natural product study,"said the forum affords student researchers the chance to practice the skills needed to successfully present the project after the work in the lab is complete.

"At some point you need to explain your research to others,"he said. "Having the ability to show off your accomplishments to your peers, to faculty and to experienced researchers is an essential skill, and will be needed in future endeavors, such as being admitted to graduate school."

Webber, who graduates in June, has been accepted into the doctorate program in chemistry at the University of Texas, Austin.

Participation this year has more than tripled from the 60 undergraduates involved in the first forum. Abstracts submitted this year increased approximately 62 percent from the 141 presented in 2002. Cash prizes were awarded in each of the final research categories and will be published in Ohio State’s Journal of Undergraduate Research Scholarship.

Linda Harlow, associate provost for Honors and Scholars, said the forum strongly supports the university’s Academic Plan as it strengthens the level and quality of undergraduate education.

"This is a campuswide collaboration that involves honors and scholars, and the offices of research, undergraduate studies and university development,"she said. "We have been very aggressive in our attempt to increase awareness and our mission to get more students involved in research as undergraduates.

"I also think that a significant part of our success is the fact that we are working with a better-prepared student body where research is becoming a more natural progression to their education."

The forum is funded through a major gift from long-time university supporters Richard and Martha Denman. Richard Denman is a 1957 graduate of Ohio State and serves on the Ohio State Foundation Board of Directors and is a recipient of the university’s Distinguished Service Award.

Rosol said the event would not be possible without the generosity of the Denmans and the help of so many at the university.

"Faculty involvement, mentorship, and encouragement are critical to the success of the forum,"Rosol said. "With the help of dedicated staff members, the forum provides an enjoyable learning experience and a productive environment for highlighting the wonderful accomplishments of our students."

For an online recap of the forum, visit www.osu.edu/dosomethinggreat/denman03.

2003 forum winners

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

1. Stacie Smith

2. Jessica Siders

Arts/Architecture

1. Andrew Colopy (tie)

Lindsey Carr (tie)

3. Whitney Lee

Biological Sciences

1. David Hughes

2. Jennifer Greenberg

3. Yee Wu

Engineering

1. Andrew Browne (tie)

Benjamin Cipriany (tie)

3. Ling Zhang

Health Professions

1. Obiageli Ntukogu

2. Natasha Pappas

3. Jayme Glamm

Humanities/Business

1. Benjamin Parrot

2. Andrea Boron (tie)

Amber Gosnell (tie)

3. James Han

Mathematical and Physical Sciences

1. Christopher Carey

2. Peter Webber

3. Corey Stambaugh

Mechanical Engineering/Material Science and Engineering

1. Andrew Madden

2. Shawn Pearson

3. Jennifer McFerran

Medical Biological Sciences

1. Katherine Tzou

2. Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge

3. Amanda Agler

Psychology/Biopsychology

1. Joshua Martin

2. Zachary Weil

3. Erica Claman

Social and Behavioral Sciences/Education

1. Sarah Topy

2. Yasmiyn Irizarry

3. Ebun Taiwo

Outstanding Sophomore

Christopher Alvarez-Breckenridge

Outstanding Junior

Ebun Taiwo

Newsbriefs

Recent news items in an abbreviated format.

Brezny receives AMA award

Steven Brezny of the College of Medicine and Public Health has received the American Medical Association’s Excellence in Medicine Award.

The award is presented to young professionals who are involved in the support and education of medical students, and have taken positions of leadership in serving those in their community. Brezny is active on numerous committees within the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians and is a national speaker and advocate of electronic medical records systems and medical informatics. At Ohio State, he is an instructor in the patient-centered medicine program. In addition, he is involved in family practice in Powell.

He serves on numerous professional committees as an officer or committee member, and is a frequent presenter on the use of computers in medicine. He has received several other awards during his career including 2002 Resident Teacher of the Year.

Brezny received a degree in medicine in 1999 from Wright State University.

Glenn Institute receives grant

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has awarded $330,000 to the John Glenn Institute to continue its leadership on service-learning. The new grant, bringing total Kellogg support of institute programs close to $500,000, will support development of the John Glenn Service-Learning White Paper Series as well as a series of advisories notifying educators, policymakers, and the media about advances in service-learning. The two series will feature the best policy and educational research related to service-learning from any discipline, and the institute will work to draw new scholars to this important area. The grant builds upon the institute’s work with the National Commission on Service-Learning, which Sen. John Glenn chaired and the institute co-sponsored with the Kellogg Foundation.

Gift supports mechanical engineering building

A gift of $10 million from Peter L. and Clara M. "Claire"Scott of Lake Toxaway, N.C., will support a new facility for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In recognition of their longtime support of Ohio State and their ongoing advocacy for the College of Engineering, the new facility will be named the Peter L. and Clara M. Scott Laboratory, pending approval by Ohio State’s Board of Trustees.

Approved in 1998, the $72.5 million Scott Laboratory Project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2007. Designed to improve the efficacy of teaching and research, the new facility’s nearly 131,000 assignable square feet of space will provide a supportive, inviting and comfortable environment for faculty, staff and students.

Of the total project cost, $20 million will be raised from private sources; the remainder will be requested from the state of Ohio.

Geiger wins foundation prize

Andy Geiger, director of athletics, has been named a co-recipient of the 2003 John L. Toner Award presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Geiger earned the honor along with posthumous honoree John Clune of the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Toner Award is presented annually to a collegiate athletics director who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics, primarily college football. The Toner Award will be presented at the NFF’s annual awards luncheon Dec. 9 in New York City.

OSU is one of three elected to consortium

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is expanding educational opportunities for colleges and universities by electing three new institutions to its consortium -- Ohio State, the Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine in London, and associate member Johnson C. Smith University.

Among the benefits of joining the consortium, member and associate institutions take part in scientific research programs sponsored or administered by ORAU and benefit from internships, laboratory research and travel grants. ORAU now has 88 member institutions and nine associate members, which are found in 25 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and London.

Sea Grant program receives awards

The Ohio Sea Grant College Program was recently honored at the 2003 Outdoor Writers of Ohio Convention, where Ohio Sea Grant District Specialist Fred Snyder was awarded second place in the "Best Magazine How-To Article"category for his article "Walleye Anglers Keep Pace with Changing Lake Erie."The story originally appeared in the July/August 2002 issue of Ohio Sea Grant’s newsletter Twine Line, which can be viewed online at www.sg.ohio-state.edu/pdfs/tl-ja-02.pdf.

Ohio Sea Grant’s "Guides to Lake Erie’s Historic Shipwrecks: The Adventure, W.R. Hanna, and F.H. Prince"took top honors at the National Sea Grant Week Conference. The guides earned the "Blue Ribbon Award"in the "Partnership"category. The partners included the Ohio Sea Grant College Program, Great Lakes Historical Society, Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Center, Maritime Archaeological Survey Team, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Coastal Management Program, Ohio Historical Society and Bowling Green State University. The guides are a collection of three underwater diver slates packaged in a waterproof envelope; each one features a site map, schematic diagram, diving information, vessel data and ship history.

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