Centers and Institutes
The table below provides information about Centers and Institutes that have been approved by the Board of Trustees.
Institutes labeled with an asterisk represent: College academic review process.
Other types of centers, institutes, and related academic programs at Ohio University (this page not maintained by VP for Research).
Need to update information? Please contact Brian Mershon.
| College/Center | Institute | Institute Information | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Sciences | The African American Research and Service 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. | Gary Holcomb, Ph.D., Bentley Annex 311 740.593.1308 |
| Arts and Sciences | 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. | Hee-Jong Seo, Ph.D., Clippinger 274 |
| Arts and Sciences | Charles J. Ping Institute for the Teaching of the Humanities | 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. | Fred K. Drogula, Ellis Hall 242 740.597.2102 |
| Arts and Sciences | Center for Law, Justice & Culture | 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. | Kevin Uhalde, Ph.D., Bentley Annex 423 740.593.0220 |
| Arts and Sciences | Center for Intervention Research in Schools (CIRS) | Dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research and providing innovative training experiences for students interested in clinical child psychology. Our research focuses on the evaluation of school-based interventions for youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other disruptive behavior problems, the development of innovative interventions that maximize success for youth and families, and the identification of factors most associated with positive outcomes for youth, families, and schools. The center is committed to providing high-quality training experiences that prepare undergraduate and graduate students to conduct interdisciplinary treatment outcome research. The center is also dedicated to developing collaborative, mutually-beneficial relationships with schools and agencies that simultaneously advance scientific knowledge and address community needs. | Steven Evans, Ph.D., and Julie Sarno Owens, Ph.D., Porter Hall 200 740.597.3236 info@oucirs.org |
| Arts and Sciences | Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics | 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. | Julie Roche, Ph.D., Edwards Accelerator 206 740.593.1982 |
| Arts and Sciences | Ohio Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Studies | Mission is to advance understanding of ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) through an interdisciplinary learning and research community, by integrating cutting-edge science and technology with undergraduate and graduate education. The core philosophy of OCEES is that the frontiers of EEB are advanced by integrating diverse conceptual and methodological approaches from different academic disciplines. An interdisciplinary approach stimulates new areas of research and collaboration and increases interchange among diverse faculty and students. Accordingly, the best preparation we can provide our students is engagement in research in integrative biology. | Willem Roosenburg, Ph.D., Life Sciences 247 740.593.9669 |
| Arts and Sciences | Institute for Quantitative Biology | 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. | Mitchell Day, Life Sciences 241 740.593.4798 |
| Arts and Sciences | Center for Ring Theory and Its Applications | 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., Morton Hall 315e 740.593.1262 |
| Business | Applied Finance Center | The Applied Finance Center at Ohio University’s College of Business is dedicated to advancing experiential learning in the field of finance. By providing students with hands-on opportunities to apply their academic knowledge, the Center offers a wide array of resources including specialized workshops, networking trips, speaker engagements, financial literacy programs, and certification preparation. | Luke McElfresh, MBA, Muck Business Annex 202 740.593.2078 |
| Business | Center for Consumer Research and Analytics* | Provides opportunities for students across the University to engage in high-impact, authentic, learning experiences focused on consumer research projects, many of which will utilize data analytics serving industry partners. | Jacob Hiler, Ph.D., Copeland Hall 409B 740.593.2007 |
| Business | Center for Entrepreneurship* | Aims to contribute to Ohio University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by enhancing entrepreneurial education, university-based entrepreneurial activity and regionally focused venture development in southeast Ohio. The Center for Entrepreneurship and its partners host a wide variety of programs and events encouraging entrepreneurial development on campus and beyond. | Paul Benedict, Alden Library 301 740.707.1303 |
| Business | Center for International Business Education and Development* | Founded in response to increasing globalization in business. It provides life-changing experiences to help students excel in today's diverse and complex business environment. | Andrew Pueschel, Ph.D., Copeland Hall 601 412.656.3667 |
| Business | The AECOM Center for Sports Administration* | Home to the world's best programs for future leaders in sport. The Center was founded to serve as a resource to solve the increasingly difficult issues facing the industry and serves as a platform, bringing together various constituent groups associated with the Ohio University Sports Administration Program. | Dell Robinson, Muck Business Annex 304 740.597.9069 |
| Business | Robert D. Walter Center for Strategic Leadership* | Provides dynamic leadership and management focused programs designed to help students discover and develop their inner leader. | Jennifer Traxler, D.ODC, Copeland Hall 401 419.722.5245 |
| Business | The Ralph and Luci Schey Sales Centre at Ohio University* | With a 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. | Scott Gregory, 740.593.2193 Adam Rapp, 740.593.9328 Copeland Hall, Suite 209A |
| Scripps Communication | The Institute for International Journalism | 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. | Jatin Srivastava, Ph.D., Scripps Hall 248 740.593.3136 |
| Scripps Communication | WOUB Center for Public Media | Member station of both NPR and PBS serving 55 counties in southeast Ohio, western West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. As an experiential-learning unit of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, WOUB is a non-profit, community-supported multimedia organization which provides online and broadcast services, along with non-broadcast educational services to the region it serves. Through opportunities available on air and online, hundreds of students from the Scripps College and across campus work at WOUB each year gaining real-world, hands-on professional development and media training preparing them to get great jobs after graduation. | Mark Brewer RTVC 395E 740.593.4785 |
| Scripps Communication | Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact | Mission is two-fold: (1) to create and tell stories that have social relevance and impact; and, (2) to research all aspects of storytelling from inception, delivery through diverse means, and personal and public reactions to stories. The Storytelling Institute combines the practical art of storytelling with the academic study of narrative activity. It fosters traditional forms of storytelling and also envisions and navigates the future of storytelling in the rapidly changing digital age. | Lynn Harter, Ph.D., Scripps Hall 105 (Send mail to: Schoonover 400) 740.707.9047 |
| Gladys W. and David H. Patton Education | OHIO Center for Clinical Practice in Education | Purpose from 1990s to present, has been to foster and support outreach activities that connect the College with regional schools. The school/college Partnership addresses five goals that focus on the improvement of classroom teaching, student engagement and student learning, mentoring, and inquiry:
| Marcy Keifer Kennedy, Patton Hall 125A 740.593.9989 |
| Gladys W. and David H. Patton Education | Child Development Center* | Provides developmental childcare. | Kristen Mazzeo Barron, The Ridges, 740.593.1819 cdc@ohio.edu |
| Gladys W. and David H. Patton Education | 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. | Danielle Dani, Patton Hall 102H 740.593.4438 |
| Gladys W. and David H. Patton Education | George Hill Center for Counseling & Research* | Home of Counselor Education training. | Kristin Chamberlain Ph.D, Patton Hall 432V 740.593.4460 |
| Gladys W. and David H. Patton Education | Edward Stevens Center for the Study and Development of Literacy and Language Center (The Stevens Literacy Center) | Focuses on literacy and language development initiatives. | Julie Francis, Ph.D., Patton Hall 218 740.593.0677 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Center for Advanced Materials Processing | 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. | Muhammad Ali, Ph.D., Stocker Center 265 616.780.2667 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Center for Advanced Systems and Transportation Logistics Engineering (CASTLE) | 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. | Felipe Aros-Vera, Ph.D., Stocker Center 277 740.593.0415 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Avionics Engineering Center | A unique research organization specializing in aviation research. For 60 years, AEC has been active in Communications, Navigation & Landing Systems, and Surveillance (CNS) research for the FAA, NASA, and DOD. | Jay Wilhem, Stocker Center |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Institute for Corrosion & Multiphase Technology | 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., Stocker Center 181 740.593.1566 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Center for Scientific Computing and Immersive Technologies | Conducts collaborative research in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, image analysis, immersive technology, computational medicine, and bioinformatics. The CSCIT has an active research program in the field of bioinformatics and computational medicine, with significant research findings pertaining to cancer, tropical disease, diabetes, plant biology, 3-D genome architecture, gene regulation, and neuroscience. Research projects in immersive technology develop new ways of creating, displaying, and interacting with applications, content, and experiences to transform the digital experience by bringing together the virtual with users' sight, sound, and touch. | Lonnie Welch, Ph.D., Stocker Center 354 740.593.1575 Chang Liu, Ph.D., Stocker Center 321C |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment | Offers a multidisciplinary approach to solving environmental and transportation problems. Areas of research include: Acid mine drainage, field evaluation of bridges and pavements, human factors, noise abatement, Ohio SHRP test pavements, and subsurface exploration. | Issam Khoury, Ph.D., Stocker Center 22 740.593.0010 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Center for Pipe and Underground Structures | Helps solve the major challenges presented to the pipe industry through demands from users/customers, market competitiveness, federal and state environmental regulations, aging infrastructures, and expanding global markets. By aiding industry in developing and testing new designs, manufacturing prototypes, and bringing improved designs to the market, and by educating students for careers in the field of pipes, Ohio University and ORITE occupy a central place in the future of the pipe industry. | Issam Khoury, Ph.D., Stocker Center 22 740.593.0010 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment | 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 multiple centers: the Center for Air Quality and the Ohio Coal Research Center, and Biofuels Research Lab. | Jason Trembly, Stocker Center 251 740.566.7046 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | Center for Air Quality | Collaborates with regional industries, universities, and government agencies to conduct interdisciplinary applied research in air quality modeling, ambient monitoring, and health risk and emissions data to help improve air quality–and quality of life–for the Midwest region and beyond. | Kevin Crist, Ph.D., Stocker Center 159A 740.593.4751 |
| Russ Engineering and Technology | T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership 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. | Greg Kremer, Ph.D., Stocker Center 253 740.593.1561 |
| Fine Arts | Ohio Valley Center for Collaborative Arts (CoArts) | Devoted to community development through arts-based engagement and social practices. Working with faculty, staff, students, and community partners, CoArts develops applied research and learning projects addressing the priorities of our local communities. | Angela Sprunger, Seigfred Hall |
| Health Sciences and Professions | Appalachian Institute to Advance Health Equity Science | Fosters social science and health services research to promote health equity based on a wide range of social factors and supports research collaboration across Ohio University and with our partners. | Cory Cronin, Ph.D., Grover Center W359 740.593.0447 Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., Irvine Hall 210 740.593.2137 |
| Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | Diabetes Institute | Collaborative group of research scientists, clinicians, professors, educators, health administrators and students with a common interest in diabetes. The institute stimulates collaborative research across colleges and disciplines at Ohio University in the area of diabetes and strives to create mentors and research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate training as well as pre-tenured faculty. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by diabetes and related diseases through innovative basic and translational research, progressive clinical care, education and community outreach. | Elizabeth A. Beverly, PhD 740.593.4616 Vishwajeet Puri, Ph.D 740.593.2326 |
| Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | The Edison Biotechnology 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. | Shiyong Wu, Ph.D., Konneker Research Laboratories 740.593.4713 |
| Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | Infectious and Tropical and Disease Institute | Seeks to improve health through research, disease surveillance, and education. | Mario Grijalva, Ph.D., Irvine Hall 333 740.593.2530 |
| Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute | Mission is to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, serves as an interdisciplinary catalyst for cutting-edge research. There are two research “centers” nested under the OMNI umbrella: 1) OMNI’s Center for Healthy Aging, and 2) OMNI’s Injury and Pain Research Center. The research across these centers has an overarching aim of developing interventions that enhance physical function and wellbeing, and ultimately reducing disability and pain-related suffering. OMNI investigators direct many pre-clinical and clinical research-based OMNI-affiliated laboratories. The pre-clinical laboratories include, but are not limited to, the Osteoarthritis Research Laboratory, the Skeletal Muscle Function and Physiology Laboratory, the Bone and Experimental Pathology Laboratory, the Functional Neuromuscular Genomics Laboratory, the Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, the Skeletal Muscle Metabolism Laboratory, and the Functional Morphology, Biomechanics and Physiology of Feeding Laboratory. The clinical research laboratories include, but are not limited to, the Neuromuscular Biomechanics and Health Assessment Laboratory, the Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, the Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory, the BRAIN Lab, the Social Neuroscience and Pain Laboratory, and the Musculoskeletal and Neuroimaging Research Laboratory. Through partnerships OMNI’s Musculoskeletal and Neuroimaging Research Laboratory has access to a low-tesla, weight bearing MRI as well 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla magnets. OMNI is consistently striving towards development of innovative, integrated, and interdisciplinary team-based science that has the potential for bench-to-bedside-to-community impact. OMNI’s active extramural research grants enterprise exceeds $20-30 million. Ten of OMNI’s scientists’ work has been cited more than 2,000 times, and five of OMNI scientists’ have received more than 10,000 citations. Seven OMNI scientists have been ranked in the top 2% of their field based on career long citation (Ioannidis et al., PLoS Biology, 2020). OMNI trainees also have an outstanding record of accomplishments. With many of our trainees having secured many training grants from highly prestigious agencies (e.g., NIH, American Heart Association, etc.), and landing high sought after faculty positions at R1 institutions. | Brian Clark, Ph.D., Irvine Hall 250 740.593.2354 |
| University College | Academic Achievement Center* | Offers support services that assist all OHIO students towards improving retention, engagement, and academic performance. The AAC also offers support for students on academic probation. | Elizabeth Fallon, Ph.D., Alden Library 230 740.593.2644 |
| Vice President for Research and Creative Activity | The Institute for Applied and Professional Ethics | Aims to advance practical ethical and moral understanding and judgment among the students and faculty of Ohio University, the larger academic community, members of the professions, business managers, public officials, policymakers, and the general public, through research and educational activities (such as public lectures, panel discussions, seminars and workshops) promoting interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration. "Applied ethics" is construed as including moral, social, and political philosophy. | Christoph Hanisch, Ph.D., Ellis Hall 212 |
| Vice President for Research and Creative Activity | The Contemporary History 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. | Alec Holcombe, Ph.D. Bentley Annex 405 510.366.1260 |
| Vice President for Research and Creative Activity | Institute for the Empirical Study of Language | Home for research on the processes of perception, production, and acquisition of language. | Sally Marion-Fetty, Ph.D., 740.593.4714 |
| Vice President for Research and Creative Activity | Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute | Interdisciplinary institute founded to nurture, spotlight, and formalize nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the university. Participating departments include: Physics & Astronomy, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, and Chemical Engineering. | Saw Hla, Ph.D., Clippinger Laboratories 139 |
| Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service | Center for Public and Social Innovation* | The term “public and social innovation” as broadly defined by the Voinovich School, is a novel solution to a societal problem that is more effective, efficient or sustainable. The School has a long history of such service, especially in Appalachian Ohio. We help state, county and local governments; nonprofits, state agencies and private foundations by providing innovative applied research, program evaluation and technical assistance and by building leadership and organizational capacity. | Faith Knutsen, Ridges 19 740.593.0830 |