Translational Plant Sciences Initiative
Third Year PPAC Review
Review panel: Karin Musier-Forsyth, David Denlinger, Art Epstein
Summary of funding awarded: This TIE was initially awarded central funds totaling
$3,225,000 in cash and $156,500 in continuing funds for a 5-year period beginning July
2007. Two colleges are also making substantial commitments of continuing funds
towards the initiative: $377,000 from CBS and $319,100 from FAES, respectively. The
college’s commitments of cash are $1,580,000 from CBS and $1,393,250 from FAES.
Summary of Goals and Implementation Plans: The goal of this TIE is to promote new
and existing synergy between basic and applied plant science groups not only within
OSU, but also with other campuses, including international venues. Faculty hiring is a
major component of this plan. Staff hiring, instrumentation, programmatic activities, and
enhanced support for graduate training are other areas targeted for TIE funds.
In formulating responses to the questions below, the TIE review panel reviewed the
second year written report and also met with Dean Matt Platz and TIE Director Bob
Tabita.
Responses to Questions:
1. Are the accomplishments as expected and is there an appropriate trajectory for
success, especially in the area of faculty hiring?
Faculty Hiring. The hiring of two new assistant professors occurred in year one (Tom
Mitchell from the Department of Plant Pathology in CFAES and Birgit Alber from the
Department of Microbiology in CBMPS). This year, 3 offers were made for two available
positions in PCMB/MG. Dr. Keith Slotkin has accepted offer as assistant professor and
offers have been made at the associate professor level to a strong husband/wife team from
Penn State. Additional faculty hires in the Department of Plant Pathology and HCE align
well with this TIE. Therefore, although the loss of Dick Sayre, a key senior faculty
member, was a huge loss to this TIE and a major concern last year, the new hires
including several at the senior level demonstrate that hiring is back on track.
Graduate Education. Significant efforts are underway to enhance graduate training in
TPS, including the establishment of a new international tripartite graduate program
between OSU, Rutgers, and the University of Sao Paula, Brazil. This is an exciting
development and excellent opportunity to attract a diverse pool of students to OSU. The
program has been approved by the University Senate and is awaiting approval from the
Board of Trustees in June, which is expected to be a rubber stamp. This program
represents one of the most advanced international collaboration at the University. One
meeting between University officials from all three institutions, including former
President Holbrook and Deans Moser and Herbers from OSU has already occurred. At
the end of this year, the tripartite group will gather in Brazil for the next joint scientific
conference and once again Deans and other University officials are expected to attend to
further cement common interests and collaborations.
Undergraduate Education. A Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Program has been established to attract outstanding students to OSU. In 2008, 28
applications were received from 17 different institutions and 8 interns (7 from Ohio and 1
from out of state) were selected to work in PMBB faculty labs and completed the
program. In 2009, 24 applications were received and 9 interns have enrolled, including
students from colleges in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Georgia. This
appears to be an excellent program.
Planned activities include a Summer Workshop in Plant Genomics to be held in 2010.
TIE funds were used to leverage OPBC funding and module preparation will commence
this summer.
TIE funds were used to supplement funding for a new Mass Spectrometer, which has
already enabled TIE faculty to obtain metabolomics data that will contribute to new
funding opportunities.
2. Are there significant threats to success? If so, what might those be?
No.
3. Are there opportunities to enhance success? If so, what might those be?
Acquisition of a training grant to support predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows (see also 6
below).
4. Are there concerns regarding the projected allocation of funds for the next and
subsequent academic years?
No
5. Is the anticipated impact and influence of the TIE being achieved?
Yes.
6. What is the longer range sustainability of the TIE? Is there a foundation that will
provide a sustainable competitive difference for Ohio State?
Several efforts are underway or planned to provide internal and external support for this
TIE. There appears to be a solid foundation for sustaining TPS as a premier research and
training program at OSU.
Internal funding. The College of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment of
$400K/year from the Regents Innovation Incentive fund. These funds are ear-marked for
graduate research relevant to this TIE. An innovation group proposal (20K) is pending. If
funded, this would provide opportunities for additional interactions and planning of a
larger Program Project grant.
External funding. A large NSF project, which includes members from Brazil and Rutgers,
was recently funded (Erich Grotewold, PI).
We are encouraged to hear about future plans for an NSF IGERT training grant, which
this TIE seems ideally suited for. NSF officials have already indicated this is exactly the
kind of novel program they would like to support.
The Department of Education has funded FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of
Postsecondary Education), an undergraduate exchange program between OSU, Rutgers
and Brazil. In the inaugural year, two OSU students are currently at USP, Brazil, and two
USP students are doing research in PMBB faculty labs.
An NSF PIRE (Progress in International Research and Education) is pending in the preproposal stage at NSF. In addition to the tripartite university program, this proposal
involves Battelle Labs as a major partner. If successful, this program would fund a ½
time admin assistant, 10 quarters of postdoctoral support for research in Brazil, and 20
quarters of graduate student support, in addition to travel and supplies.
7. What are the primary factors for the continuing success of the TIE programs
over the next ten years?
Increasing the pool of high quality domestic graduate students will be critical for success
of a PIRE, IGERT or similar training grant application.
8. Is release of the next fiscal year’s central funds recommended? If yes, why and
are there conditions associated with the release of those funds? If not, why not and is
remediation possible?
Yes. All aspects of this TIE appear to be on track, including faculty hiring, a strong
graduate and undergraduate education component, and significant efforts to sustain the
program beyond the 5 year TIE funding period. The new tripartite graduate program is
exciting and represents one of the most advanced international collaborations that OSU is
involved in.