Ohio University

Centers and Institutes 

The list below provides information about Centers and Institutes that have been approved by the Board of Trustees.

For links to other types of centers, institutes, and related academic programs at Ohio University, please visit: www.ohio.edu/departments/programs.cfm.

Need to update this information? Please contact Andrea Gibson at gibsona@ohio.edu.

VP for Research

Applied and Professional Ethics Institute

This Institute creates awareness of issues in ethics.  

Alyssa Bernstein, Ph.D., Director
Ellis Hall 202, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-9802; bastinbernstein@gmail.com

Charles J. Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities

This Institute supports activities involved in the teaching of the humanities. The Institute was founded in honor of President Emeritus and Trustee Professor of Philosophy and Education, Dr. Charles J. Ping.

Thomas H. Carpenter, Ph.D., Director
201 Trisolini Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-4266; carpentt@ohio.edu


The Edison Biotechnology Institute

This Institute combines internationally recognized expertise in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology into an integrated system of basic and applied research for human medical, drug discovery, and agricultural applications.

David Wight, Ph.D., Director
Konneker Research Laboratories
Ohio University, A thens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-4713; wight@ohiou.edu


Institute for the Empirical Study of Language

This is the home for research on the processes of perception, production, and acquisition of language.

Danny Moates, Ph.D., Director
239 Porter Hall, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1075; moates@ohio.edu


Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute

This interdisciplinary institute was founded to nurture, spotlight, and formalize na noscience and nanotechnology research at the university. Participating departments include: Physics & Astronomy, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, and Chemical Engineering.

Arthur Smith, Ph.D., Director
Department of Physics and Astronomy
165 Clippinger Laboratories
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 597-2576; smitha2@ohio.edu

College of Arts and Sciences

The African American Research and Service Institute

The Institute, provides a framework and an interdisciplinary group of faculty from most of the university's colleges to conduct research and establish community dialogue in the areas of public education, health, and multicultural heritage.

Ronald Stephens, Ph.D., Director
Lindley Hall 332, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 590-3069; stepher2@ohio.edu


The Astrophysical Institute

In September 2004, Ohio University 's Board of Trustees authorized the establishment of the Astrophysical Institute (ApI). The creation of the ApI recognizes the growth in astrophysical research at the university and will facilitate plans to increase Ohio University 's national and international reputation in this field. The astrophysics group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy has improved the university's astronomy curriculum, involved  increasing numbers of undergraduate and graduate students in research, and forged a vigorous collaboration of faculty with active research programs that make use of major telescopes around the world and in space.

Markus Boettcher, Ph.D., Director
Clippinger 339, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1714; boettchm@ohio.edu

The Contemporary History Institute

The Institute, created in 1987, offers a unique course of interdisciplinary study--mainly on the graduate level--in the application of post-1945 history to current policy issues.

Steve Miner, Ph.D., Director
Brown House, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-4362; conhist@ohiou.edu

Center for Intelligent Chemical Instrumentation

The term, "intelligent instrument", refers to a new generation of analytical instruments with advanced capabilities for data interpretation, self-optimization, and decision-making. Building upon these concepts, researchers at CICI are conducting basic research in the development of new methods and instrumentation for a variety of chemical analyses. Work is currently underway in each of the areas of electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and chromatography. CICI has contributed to research related to "Homeland Security" for over a decade.

Peter Harrington, Ph.D., Director
177 Clippinger Laboratories
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2099; harringp@ohio.edu


The Center for Law, Justice & Culture

The center is an interdisciplinary academic
community dedicated to advancing scholarship and teaching by integrating
programs and uniting faculty and students who share a common interest in
law's constitutive and formative role in cultural, political, and social
life. For faculty, the center advances research excellence by fostering
collaboration, grant acquisition, mentorship, and professional relationships
with national leaders in the field. For students, the center provides
opportunities to study law and justice from a liberal arts perspective,
bringing together interdisciplinary viewpoints from anthropology,
criminology, political science, sociology, and other departments across the
social sciences and humanities.

John Gilliom, Ph.D., Acting Director
261 Bentley Annex, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1338; lawcenter@ohio.edu


Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics

The Institute was established in 1991 to bring coherence to the several successful but diverse nuclear science activities taking place within the department. The institute is a perfect vehicle for sponsoring joint seminars, inviting visiting scientists, providing matching money for new initiatives with federal funding agencies and national laboratories, and generally promoting and supporting research in these fields.

Carl Brune, Ph.D., Director
Edwards Accelerator Lab
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1977; brune@phy.ohiou.edu

Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies

Steve Reilly, Ph.D., Director
Irvine Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2335; reilly@ohio.edu

Ohio University Cartographic Center

Established in 1969, the mission of OUCC is to serve as a mapping production facility for individuals or organizations while providing aspiring students with valuable real world experience.The OUCC is a completely automated facility with some of the latest in cartographic, geographical information system (GIS), and global positioning system (GPS) hardware and software.

Margaret Pearce, Ph.D., Director
104a Clippinger Laboratories
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1116; pearce@ohio.edu


Institute for Quantitative Biology

The Institute serves to stimulate and focus interdisciplinary research and training efforts to quantitative biology. The field brings formal mathematical analyses and computer modeling techniques to the study of the complex systems and expanding databases of the life sciences. Participating departments include Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy.

William Holmes, Ph.D., Director
Wilson Hall (West) 013
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2112; holmes@ohio.edu


Center for Ring Theory and Its Applications

The Center will further the study of ring theory, a branch of Abstract Algebra, by promoting the growth and development of collaboration and communications with the external research community and internally through doctoral and master's students.

Sergio Lopez-Permouth, Ph.D., Director
Morton Hall 315e
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740)593-1262; lopez@ohio.edu

College of Business

Center for International Business Education and Development

This center offers international business students opportunities to study abroad and gain experience.

Faizul Huq, Director
514B Copeland Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-9352; huq@ohio.edu

Ohio University Insurance Institute

This Institute provides education and experience for students studying insurance-related topics.

John Reynolds, Executive In Residence, Director
201C Copeland Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
(749) 593-2004; reynolds@ohio.edu

The Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre at Ohio University

The Centre's mission is to develop Ohio University students as tomorrow's sales stars and leaders; to support sales leaders with value-added sales research and professional development opportunities; and to enhance the sales profession.

Kenneth L. Hartung, Executive Director
601A Copeland Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740)593-9328; hartung@ohio.edu

Dawn Deeter, Director of Sales Research
622 Copeland Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 597-1818, deeter-s@ohio.edu


Ohio Center for Professional Accountancy

The center offers opportunities for interaction between the accounting profession, accounting students and accounting faculty. The center sponsors a quarterly professional interaction day and continuing professional education offerings.

Connie Esmond Kiger
409 Copeland Hall
(740) 593-1988; kiger@ohio.edu


Center for Sports Administration

The Center for Sports Administration is located within the College's School of Recreation and Sport Sciences. The center will conduct research on issues in the sports industry, with a focus on the practical application of knowledge. One of its goals will be assisting sports organizations and related businesses -- both in the United States and abroad -- with planning and resource development.

Jim Kahler, Director
E118 Grover Center
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-4666;

Scripps College of Communication

The Institute for International Journalism

The Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) is part of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, carrying out many of the school's international initiatives. Its goals are to prepare students to work as international journalists, support research on topics related to international journalism, enhance communication among journalists, students and media scholars, and cooperate with global partners in journalism education.

Yusuf Kalyango Jr., Ph.D.
Director, Institute for International Journalism
Asst. Professor of Journalism
E. W. Scripps School of Journalism
205 Scripps Hall, Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701 - USA
Tel & Fax: 740-593-2592


Scripps Survey Research Center

The Scripps Survey Research Center (SSRC) is a full-fledged survey research organization that offers personalized attention to detail and rigor in every stage of the project. Members of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), we continually update our knowledgebase of survey techniques and methodologies. We offer the following services: assistance with research design; sampling; survey design; telephone survey-based data collection; and survey data analysis. Our survey facilities currently include 21 interview and 2 supervisor CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) stations running WinCATI 4.2 and Sensus 4.2.40. These systems are able to control the questionnaire, execute skip patterns exactly as intended, keep responses within valid ranges, and eliminate any need for data entry. WinCATI's survey administration capabilities include such administrative and telephone functions associated with interviewing as sample management, quota control, call disposition monitoring, productivity reporting, rapid dial or predictive dialing, and interviewer monitoring and rating. This enables on-demand generation of current sample and quota disposition reports.

Jerry L. Miller, Ph.D., Co-Director, Scripps Survey Research Center
Lasher Hall 202
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-4831, ScrippsSurvey@ohio.edu


WOUB Center for Public Media

The Center manages public broadcasting, distance learning, and other public service technologies that extend the university's reach to a wider public. The Center operates WOUB/WOUC and ACTV public television, Public Radio broadcasting on six area transmitters, a distance learning network that links the Athens campus with the five regional campuses, online services, and other non-broadcast services. The Center serves as a professional laboratory setting for university students.

Thomas Hodson, director and general manager
395E RTVC Building
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979 
(740) 593-1771; hodson@ohio.edu

The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services

Center for Professional Development and School Partnerships

This Center was established to give education majors the opportunity to gain experience in a classroom setting while enriching the education of the children with whom they interact.

Marcy Keifer Kennedy
Director, Center for Professional Development School Partnerships
McCracken Hall 119B
740.593.9989; keiferm1@ohio.edu

Institute for Democracy in Education

The Institute for Democracy in Education provides research and consultation services to agencies serving historically marginalized and underserved K-12 students, as well as their families and other caregivers. The institute conducts, sponsors, and supports culturally responsive research, program evaluation, and other related work such as providing technical assistance to educators, parent groups, and community organizations.

John Hitchcock and Jerry Johnson, co-directors
218 McCracken Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 597-3364; hitchcoc@ohio.edu, johnsoj9@ohio.edu


George Hill Center for Counseling & Research

The Center is the home of Counselor Education training.

Mona Robinson, director
346 McCracken Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-0445


Center for Higher Education

A research and policy analysis center focused on higher education issues in Ohio, the Appalachian region, and the nation atlarge.

Valerie Martin Conley, Ph.D., Director
136 McCracken Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 597-1862 or (740) 593-9426
conleyv@ohio.edu


Center for the Study and Development of Literacy and Language  

This Center focuses on literacy and language development initiatives.

James Salzman, Director
340 McCracken Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-4419; literacy@ohiou.edu


Child Development Center

This Center provides developmental child care.

Cathleen Waller, Director
108 Putnam Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1819; waller@ohio.edu

Russ College of Engineering and Technology

Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research (CEER)

A state-of-the-art, in-situ electrochemical/analytical and
electrochemical modeling and simulation facility, the Center for
Electrochemical Engineering Research was established in 2009 and funded by
external grants including those from the Ohio Department of Development and
Department of Defense. The mission of the CEER is to enhance research and scholarship in
electrochemical engineering, expand outreach activities to educate future
generations and for public awareness, and contribute to economic development
in southeastern Ohio.

The center supports the commercialization of the
technologies as they develop on the different stages of the road-map: 
incubation, demonstration, market entry, and growth and sustainability. It
provides education to the work force required to operate, fabricate, and
design the units, and also serves as the research and development center to
continuously improve the technologies during their growth and sustainability
stages.

Gerardine Botte, Ph.D., Director
183 Stocker Center, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 45701
(740) 593-9670; botte@ohio.edu

Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment

The Institute will help foster partnerships between universities, business, governments, and community groups and will help meet the region's need for economic development and utilization of the region's energy resources while ensuring environmental protection and public health and safety. The Institute integrates the efforts of two centers: The Center for Air Quality under the direction of Kevin Crist, Chemical Engineering, and Ohio Coal Research Center, under the direction of David Bayless, Mechanical Engineering.

Ben Stuart, Director
120 Stocker Center
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-9455; stuart@ohio.edu


Center for Advanced Materials Processing

The Center focuses on interdisciplinary manufacturing applications for both traditional and new, high-technology materials. In the use of traditional materials, the center explores various applications of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) as a tool for optimizing product, process, and quality control., thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs. The Center concentrates on researching the behavior of high-technology materials (such as composites, powder metallurgy alloys, intermetallic compounds, and polymers) in production, since many must be processed within narrow temperature and deformation ranges to prevent the formation of defects. The challenge for the Center lies in gaining an understanding of the mechanical and thermal characteristics of a wide range of materials and designing processes which accommodate these characteristics.

M. Khairul Alam, Ph.D., Director
263 Stocker Center
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 59 3-1558; alam@ohio.edu

Center for Advanced Software Systems Integration

The Center serves the manufacturing community, government, and people of Ohio by developing manufacturing software systems integration strategies, systems and technologies and by disseminating the knowledge gained from their evaluation and synthesis.

Robert Judd, Ph.D., Director
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1539


Avionics Engineering Center (AEC)

The Center is a unique research organization specializing in aviation research. For more than 37 years, AEC has been active in Communications, Navigation & Landing Systems, and Surveillance (CNS) research for the FAA, NASA, and DOD.

Michael DiBenedetto, Director
131 McFarland Avionics Building
Ohio University, Athens,OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1534; avionics@ohio.edu


Institute for Corrosion & Multiphase Technology

This is the home for research concerning the behaviors of liquids and gases in different settings. The Center for Corrosion in Multi-Phase System Research has been recognized as  a premier pilot plant test facility for multiphase corrosion studies
in the world.

Srdjan Nesic, Ph.D., Director
181 Stocker Center
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-9945; nesic@ohio.edu


Center for Scientific Computing and Immersive Technology

The center is engaged in an active computer science and information technology research program. Engineers and scientists are developing computer technologies ranging from tiny robots that use artificial intelligence to a smart computer network that can detect hacker attacks and safeguard important data.
             
Lonnie Welch, Ph.D., Director
Stocker Center, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979             
(740) 593-1575; welch@ohio.edu


Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment

The Institute offers a multidisciplinary approach to solving environmental and transportation problems. Areas of research include: Acid mine drainage, field evaluation of bridges & pavements, human factors, noise abatement, Ohio SHRP test pavements, and subsurface exploration.

Center for Pipe and Underground Structures

Gayle Mitchell, Ph.D., Director
114 Stocker Center
Ohio University, Athens,OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2476; orite@bobcat.ent.ohiou.edu

T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Instute

The Institute provides a focal point in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology for the understanding of leadership and to promote generally effective leadership among the students, faculty, and administrators of the College.

David Bayless, Director
Stocker Center
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
(740)331-4536; bayless@ohio.edu

International Studies

Institute for the African Child

The Institute was established to promote the interests of the world's most marginalized population, the children of Africa. It grows out of a 35 year history of African Studies. This history includes teaching, research, and service to the African continent. This initiative expands the conversation among African Studies scholars -social scientists and humanists- to include the work of the Colleges of Communication, Education, Health and Human Services, and Osteopathic Medicine. The participation of development practitioners in the area of child survival and of African research institutes, universities, NGOs and government ministries are also sought in this new network.

Stephen Howard, Ph.D., Director
Yamada International House, Room 215
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1834; howard@ohio.edu

Osteopathic Medicine

Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute

The Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI) facilitates basic and applied research in muscle, nerve, bone, and connective-tissue biology and medicine. OMNI is devoted to supporting research aimed at understanding the causes of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these disorders. Presently, OMNI has more than 20 affiliated faculty in four colleges and eight departments. OMNI affiliation is open to researchers with interests in the musculoskeletal and/or neurological systems. 

Brian Clark, Ph.D., Director
236 Irvine Hall Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2354; clarkb2@ohio.edu

Tropical and Geographical Disease Institute

The Institute seeks to improve health through research, disease surveillance, and education.

Mario Grijalva, Ph.D., Director
Irvine Hall, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2530; Grijalva@ohiou.edu                       
 
Diabetes-Endocrine Center

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects many aspects of one’s life. The center helps persons with diabetes manage the disease, cope with lifestyle changes, and prevent potential complications.

Frank Schwartz, MD, Director
Ohio University Cornwell Center 147
Athens, Ohio 45701
(740) 566-4870; schwartzf@ohio.edu

Appalachian Rural Health Institute

The Institute focuses on health issues that impact the Appalachian Ohio counties and adjacent counties in West Virginia and Kentucky. These issues include access to health care, service delivery and identified health concerns of the rural population of these counties (diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and etc.).

Jane Hamel-Lambert, Director
347 Grosvenor Hall
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-2289;hamel-lj@ohio.edu

University College

Academic Advancement Center

The Academic Advancement Center (AAC) offers support services that assist undergraduate students towards improving retention, engagement, and academic performance. AAC Services are designed to "foster student success." AAC tutoring services, academic skill development, and academic guidance provided through credit courses, individual and group study sessions support and challenge students as learners.

Cynthia King, Director
Alden Library 101
Ohio University; Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593.2644; aac@ohio.edu.

Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs

Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development (ILGARD)

The Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development (ILGARD) turns Ohio University's expertise into real-world assistance for Southeast Ohio and the state. The institute provides applied research and technical assistance to government and development organizations and serves as a public service learning laboratory for Ohio University students.

Mark Weinberg, Director
Buildings 20, 21 and 22, The Ridges
Ohio University, Athens OH 45701
(740) 593-9381; gvsinfo@ohio.edu

This page was last updated on Dec. 16, 2011.