Past Forums

2008 Ohio Student Research Forum
August 7 -8, Ohio State University

GUEST SPEAKER
Patrick S. Osmer, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies, Dean of the Graduate School, Ohio State University

Patrick S. Osmer became the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The Ohio State University on September 18, 2006.  Professor Osmer is an authority on the evolution of distant quasars and their relation to their host galaxies.  He came to Ohio State as Professor and Chair of the Department of Astronomy in 1993.  In 2004, he was named Distinguished Professor of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.  During his thirteen years as Chair, Professor Osmer provided leadership for the building of the research and graduate programs of the Department of Astronomy to internationally recognized high levels and for the effort that resulted in Ohio State’s joining the international Large Binocular Telescope project. 

Professor Osmer came to Ohio State from the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, where he had been a member of the scientific staff from 1986 to 1993 and deputy director from 1988 to 1993.  He also served as project scientist for the national 8-m telescopes project, which subsequently evolved into the international Gemini telescopes project.  As interim project scientist for Gemini, he led the development of the science requirements for the international partners. 

From 1969 to 1986 Professor Osmer was on the scientific staff of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in La Serena, Chile, and served as director of the observatory and head of mission from 1981 through 1985.  During that time, CTIO completed the construction of and brought into operation the Blanco 4-m Telescope, then the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere. 

Professor Osmer received a B.S. in astronomy with highest honors from the Case Institute of Technology in 1965 and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology in 1970.