Ohio Branch Research Achievement Award
Best Overall Graduate Poster
Donald C. Cox Award for Research Excellence
Best Podium Presentation
Donald C. Cox, PhD, was professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology at Miami University from
1978-1989. After he earned his PhD at University of Michigan in 1965, he joined the microbiology faculty
at University of Oklahoma. He later moved to Miami, where he became well known as a charismatic and
highly effective teacher, researcher and leader. Dr. Cox received Miami’s Distinguished Educator
Award, and fostered the growth and development of the Department of Microbiology. Throughout his research
career, he focused on the biochemistry and molecular biology of replication of human viruses, and ultimately
studied utilization of reovirus in cancer therapy. Dr. Cox was a strong advocate for attracting young
people into scientific careers, and mentored many students who have gone on to highly significant research
careers.
J. Robie Vestal Award for Research Excellence
Best Environmental or Evolution Poster (that is not an Ichida or Ohio Branch, can go to graduate or
undergraduate)
J. Robie Vestal, PhD, was professor of both biological sciences and environmental health at the University
of Cincinnati. He earned his MS in Microbiology at Miami University and his PhD in Microbiology at
North Carolina State University. His postdoctoral research at Syracuse University involved the biochemistry
of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Dr. Vestal’s research interests focused on how microbial communities
function in nature. He studied microbial communities in Arctic lakes and in soils contaminated with
hazardous waste, cryptoendolithic (hidden within rock) communities in Antarctica, mangrove-degrading
communities in the Bahamas, and decomposer communities in municipal solid waste compost. He also investigated
microbial survival under simulated Martian conditions. Dr. Vestal served on many local and national
committees and chaired the Divisional Advisory Committee of the National Science Foundation's Division
of Polar Programs.
N. Paul Hudson Award for Research Excellence
Best Overall Medical or Clinical Poster (that is not an Ichida or Ohio Branch Award, can go to graduate
or undergraduate)
N. Paul Hudson, MD, was chairman of the Microbiology Department at Ohio State University from 1935-1950.
Dr. Hudson was recruited from the University of Chicago Medical School where he already had established
a research/teaching reputation and was told to bring several colleagues with him to serve as faculty
members in the department. In 1950 he was appointed Dean of the Graduate School at Ohio State University
and served until his retirement in 1957. During the 1930's he was responsible for the successful development
of a vaccine against Yellow Fever, which was necessary for the war effort in the tropical countries
during the 1940's. Dr. Hudson died at the age of 95 in 1993 in Florida after retiring to his second
home in Sarasota in 1970.
Allan A. Ichida Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence
Best Undergraduate Poster
Allan A. Ichida was professor of botany-microbiology at Ohio Wesleyan University. He earned his BA
from Ohio Wesleyan in 1953, then attended the University of Tennessee, where he studied botany, mycology
and bacteriology, and received his MS Degree in 1955. Allan's studies then took him to the University
of Wisconsin in Madison, where he received his Ph.D. in botany in 1960. Allan returned to Ohio Wesleyan
in 1961 as a faculty member in the Department of Botany and Microbiology until he retired in 1995.
He was a much admired professor of plant biology and mycology. His research interests were also pursued
during several sabbaticals at the University of California in Berkeley. During his tenure at Ohio Wesleyan
he served as president and advisor of the Ohio Branch of the American Society for Microbiology and
on the Olentangy Scenic River Commission where his water quality research helped to secure the river's "Scenic
River" status. Allan continued his research in the OWU Bohannan and Kraus nature preserves.