Story Ideas for Media - 03/28/05
News
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement goes to Lonnie Thompson -- Internationally recognized glaciologist Lonnie Thompson is one of two scientists to win the 2005 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, an award regarded by some in the field as equivalent to a Nobel Prize. Thompson will receive his award, a gold medallion and $100,000, at ceremonies next month at the University of Southern California, the program’s stewards. CONTACT: Lonnie Thompson, Byrd Polar Research Center, (614) 292-6652; or Earle Holland, University Relations, (614) 292-8384.
Ohio garners Top 10 spot in two technology rankings -- Ohio is one of the best places to be for technology, and The Ohio State University plays a key role, according to two new rankings. For the second year in a row, Small Times magazine has named Ohio one of the nation’s top 10 nanotechnology “hot spots,” while Popular Science magazine ranked Columbus 7th among top tech cities in America. For more information, see http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1054 CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
Soil science professor receives award for contributions to global food security -- Internationally recognized soil scientist Rattan Lal is one of two recipients of this year’s Norman E. Borlaug Award. The award is presented annually for contributions to global food security. Lal, who directs the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center at Ohio State, focuses on soil carbon sequestration as a means to improve soil quality, advance food security and use sound agricultural practices to help control the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. CONTACT: Holly Wagner, University Relations, (614) 292-8310.
Experts
Fisher College of Business expert can discuss tax issues, changes to laws -- A Fisher College of Business accounting professor is available to discuss local, state and federal tax issues. William Raabe, senior lecturer, can discuss tax preparation tips and tax laws. CONTACT: William Raabe, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-4023; or Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
Research
Regular exercise helps protect muscles in elderly from soreness, injury -- Researchers now have the physical evidence to show why it’s important for older people to exercise. And it comes with the discovery that, in aging racehorses, regular aerobic workouts decreased the prevalence of muscle damage that can be caused by exertion. Mammalian skeletal muscle tissue is the same regardless of which species of mammal it is in, said Steven Devor, the study\'s lead author and an assistant professor of exercise science education at Ohio State University. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/oldmusc.htm CONTACT: Steven Devor, School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, (614) 688-8436; or Holly Wagner, University Relations, (614) 292-8310.
Service
Accounting students providing free tax assistance to low-income families -- Accounting students from the Fisher College of Business are providing free tax filing assistance for Central Ohio low-income families. The Fisher Tax Clinic is open from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays (April 1 and 8) at the Godman Guild Association, 303 E. 6th Ave. The clinic also will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays (April 2 and 9) and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays (March 30 and April 6) at the Legal Aid Society, 36 W. Gay St. During the 2004 tax season, the students filed 150 tax returns in which more than $50,000 was refunded to members of the greater Columbus Community. Media who may be interested in doing a story on this service should contact Laura Bowers to set up a time to visit the clinic. CONTACT: Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
Events
NIH, Institute scientists to present at 2005 Research Day – March 31. -- Scientists from the National Institutes of Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute will be guest speakers at the 2005 Graduate and Post Graduate Research Day at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health on Thursday (3/31). Research Day gives young Ohio State biomedical scientists an opportunity to share their research with students, colleagues and faculty. Dr. Robert L. Martino, a director in the division of Computational Bioscience Center for Information Technology at the NIH, and Dr. Mario Capecchi, professor of human genetics at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will be speaking at noon and 4 p.m., respectively, in Meiling Hall, 370 W. 9th Ave. CONTACT: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Ohio State Board of Trustees to meet – April 1. -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet on Friday (4/1) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. The schedule includes meetings of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the Fiscal Affairs Committee from 9 to 10 a.m. The formal Board meeting is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, see http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1055 CONTACT: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.
Poverty, disparity in education topic of symposium – April 4. -- The current education system in America does not meet the needs of many students, especially the poor and those with special needs. This issue will be explored during the symposium, “Education for All: Overcoming Poverty and Disparity in American Schools” on Monday (4/4) at Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave. Dr. Paul D. Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, will present the keynote address at 3:30 p.m. For more information, see http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/pbrg/woodside2005.html CONTACT: Tamanna Salikuddin, Pro Bono Research Group, salikuddin.1@osu.edu; or Liz Cutler Gates, Moritz College of Law, (614) 292-0283.
The person listed as CONTACT will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
