Editor’s Note: This is the second of the three profile series highlighting the people who make research happen at Ohio University.
The Ohio University administrator who approves projects that require research funding and oversees the graduate school is also devoted to one more task.
Joe Shields, vice president for Research and Creative Activity, wants to secure the future of the next generation of researchers — by mentoring them. Shields came to OU in 1996 to serve as an interim for his current position until 2011.
“I thought it would be an interesting challenge,” Shields said. “It allows me to interact with creative people across the university.”
Shields graduated from the University of Kansas in 1985 and received his doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley in 1991. From there, he went on to do his postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Arizona from 1993-96. He was then offered a faculty position at OU.
Eventually in 2012, Shields was named the permanent vice president for research and now oversees the operations of supporting research and creative activity while providing strategic leadership.
“Part of my job is to connect with people across the university to each other and to resources (while helping) them to do what they want to do (in) research,” Shields said.
One of these projects included helping to obtain a 3D printer for the university.
“Really, I partly took this job because of Joe,” said Shiyong Wu, director of the Edison Biotechnology Institute. “He really gives a free hand to me and that’s really important. So, I really took this job because of him. He’s really encouraging and (does) great leadership.”
Not only does Shields look after the entrepreneurial aspects of research and funding at the university, he is also the dean of the Graduate College.
Graduate Student President Joel Newby also seeks guidance and mentorship from Shields every month and said Shields cares about the graduate students on a personal level.
“He’s a brilliant man,” Newby said. “It’s amazing to watch him work as hard as he does, and still really be able to meet with me every single month. It’s really nice and comforting.”
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