Director of Research Compliance Receives Achievement Award

Contact: Andrea Gibson, (740) 597-2166 or gibsona@ohio.edu

Editors, Reporters: To download a photo of Jo Ellen Sherow, point your browser to www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/SHEROW_JO_ELLEN.JPG To receive the photo as a 300 dpi JPG by e-mail, contact Andrea Gibson at gibsona@ohio.edu.

ATHENS, Ohio (May 9, 2001) -- Jo Ellen Sherow, director of Ohio University's Office of Research Compliance, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), District 5.

The award, presented to Sherow April 26 at the association's annual meeting in Indianapolis, recognizes those who have dedicated at least 15 years of service and have made a significant contribution to the field of laboratory animal science and the national organization. Sherow has been a member of AALAS since 1984 and has held a number of leadership roles at the branch, district and national levels. District 5, which covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, is the group's largest district.

"This award has allowed me to reflect on my career and realize that the things I took the personal time to do meant something to other people and made a difference," Sherow said. "It's nice to have people reaffirm you've done a good job."

At Ohio University, Sherow has served as director of Laboratory Animal Resources, which feeds, houses and cares for animals used in teaching and research. This spring, Laboratory Animal Resources and the Office of Compliance, both part of the Vice President for Research division, merged to form the Office of Research Compliance. Under Sherow's leadership, the new office of 16 staff members will ensure all faculty, students and staff who do research involving human subjects or animals comply with federal standards. The office also will manage the university's Conflict of Interest policy.

Sherow joined Ohio University in 1984 and has a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Ohio State University. She previously received the Outstanding Service Award from the Central Ohio Branch of AALAS and the Ohio University Outstanding Administrator Award.

Founded in 1950, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science promotes humane care and treatment of laboratory animals used in research projects that lead to scientific gains that benefit people and animals. Membership in the organization includes more than 10,000 clinical veterinarians, technicians, technologists, educators, researchers, animal producers and other animal care professionals.