Governor DeWine appoints new student trustee to OHIO Board of Trustees

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently appointed a new student member to the Ohio University Board of Trustees. Pankaj Karna was named a student trustee on Aug. 2, 2024.

Karna is an engineering and physics researcher and current Ph.D. student at the Ohio University Astrophysical Institute. His work with OHIO Professor Dr. Douglas Clowe is focused on probing galaxy clusters through gravitational lensing. He has previously conducted extensive research on suborbital space launch systems at the University of Washington, Seattle.

As a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, Karna designs and conducts trainings on NASA explorations and programs. His notable accolades include an award letter from French Physics Nobel Laureate Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and 'Engineering Physics Project of the Year' title. Karna is also a U.S. Army Distinguished Honor Graduate from Fort Lee, Va., and a recipient of ‘Army Achievement’ and ‘National Defense Service’ Medals.

Karna will be present at the next Ohio University Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 19, 2024. His term will end on May 13, 2026.

"I look forward to representing the student body of Ohio University, Athens and all our regional campuses on the Board of Trustees," he said.

Student trustees are appointed by the governor of Ohio from a group of five candidates suggested to the governor. A committee of student leaders annually reviews applications and forwards its nominations to the Office of the President for referral to the Governor's Office.