MICROBIOLOGIST JOHN REEVE NAMED FIRST ROD SHARP PROFESSOR

COLUMBUS -- A new endowed professorship in microbiology wasannounced in a ceremony at The Ohio State University on Dec. 9. William R. (Rod) Sharp, a faculty member in the College of BiologicalSciences from 1969 to 1979, has given $500,000 to establish a professorship to support the work of an outstanding teacher and researcher in microbial diversity whose research promises relevant industrial, environmental or medical applications.

Alan G. Goodridge, dean of the college, announced that JohnReeve, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology, has been named the first holder of the Rod Sharp Professorship in Microbiology.Reeve studies microorganisms that grow at extreme temperatures, suchas thermal vents.

Sharp is equally well known for his research and hisentrepreneurial abilities. After leaving Ohio State, he was co- founder of DNA Plant Technology Group, one of the first and most successful plant biotechnology companies. He later founded both DNA Pharmaceuticals and PHYTO Pharmaceuticals. He served as dean/director of research at Cook College, New Brunswick, N.J., from 1993 to 1998. Currently he is partner and research director of Gladstone-Nye Partners in New York City. In August, Sharp received the Medal of Honor from the Agricultural College of the University of Sao Paulo for his work in promoting biotechnology in Brazil.

Sharp said he created the professorship to recognize the excellence of Ohio State's microbiology department and to expression his appreciation for the mentoring he received as a faculty member here. At the Dec. 9 ceremony, he was honored by members of the department as well as three former mentors, now emeritus faculty: Robert Pfister (former department chair), Julius Kreier and Thomas J. Byers. Ohio State President William E. Kirwan presented Sharp with the signed "Rod Sharp Professorship in Microbiology" certificate and expressed appreciation on behalf of the university, the college and the department.

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Contact: Sandi Rutkowski, Biological Sciences, 292-4759