BATTELLE AND THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY TO INCREASE THEIR COLLABORATION

Central Ohio to benefit from heightened focus on science and community development

Columbus, OH—One of the world's leading independent research and development organizations and one of the world's premier research universities today announced a major step in expanding their collaboration on scientific research and community development efforts.

Battelle and The Ohio State University have established a joint appointment to lead the joint initiatives and strategy development between the two organizations. Blake Thompson, Ph.D., who has been named Vice President for the Battelle/Ohio State collaboration, will spearhead broad interactions between the two organizations in the areas of laboratory science and technology, economic development, and industrial relations.

"Our organizations have a long and proud history of working together to enhance the community and address some of the nation's most pressing issues," said Jeff Wadsworth, President and CEO of Battelle. "Blake's appointment represents another step toward our organizations devoting increased attention to a growing list of strategic projects and joint research/economic development ventures," Wadsworth added.

Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee agreed.

"Together, Ohio State and Battelle have unparalleled intellectual resources to bring to bear on issues central to the future of Ohio and this nation," said Gee. "Now more than ever, we are duty-bound to fulfill our shared, core purpose of improving lives. With Blake's leadership, we will strengthen and expand our partnership, enabling us to make meaningful and enduring advances—in scientific inquiry, in economic development, and in individual lives."

The two organizations already collaborate on a number of fronts.

•Recently, Ohio State announced Wadsworth will chair the newly-created OSU Medical Center board charged with enhancing strategic alignment between the Medical Center's five individual hospital boards as the university embarks on its largest medical expansion ever.

•Metro High School is a successful collaborative effort between Battelle, Ohio State and 16 Franklin County school districts to provide a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-focused high school and early college experience. Metro catalyzed a state-wide initiative that now consists of nine STEM schools.

•The Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy housed at Ohio State's John Glenn School of Public Affairs brings higher education together with leaders in K-12 education, business, technology and government to develop policies and practices that will increase the number of students prepared to become leaders in STEM fields.

•Battelle estimates that in the last decade it has provided approximately $88 million to Ohio State through fellowships, scholarships, research grants, and other contributions.

"I look forward to working as a part of these two outstanding institutions. Together, Battelle and Ohio State have unrivaled capabilities to address the nation's most pressing issues in energy, health care and other areas, while further enhancing this great community," Thompson said.

Prior to this appointment, Thompson served as Director of University Partnerships for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Department of Energy's largest science laboratory, and also worked as part of the University of Tennessee System administration. In these roles, he was responsible for the development and management of partnerships between leading academic and research institutions by creating new opportunities in research, educational outreach, economic development and technology transfer.

He formerly worked as deputy staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, and prior to that was Legislative Director to Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi. In both these roles he worked as a senior advisor on major federal research, development and construction related funding issues across the federal agencies.

Thompson received his Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi. He holds an Executive Master's degree from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, as well as Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

As the world's largest independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $5.2 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 20,400 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which
Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and two international laboratories—a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom and a renewable energy lab in Malaysia.

Battelle also is one of the nation's leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and math education.

The Ohio State University's main campus is America's largest and most comprehensive, with more than 53,000 students, 17 colleges and 240 masters', doctoral and professional degree programs and an annual operating budget of more than $4 billion. Ohio State's depth and excellence is complemented by a top-five academic medical center and a premier cancer center.

Ohio State consistently ranks as one of the nation's top research institutions, with $703 million in spending last year in areas that are critical to Ohio's ability to compete locally, nationally, and internationally. The university ranks second nationally in the amount of industry sponsored research it conducts. Ohio State has particular strength in areas such as global warming, cancer, infectious disease, advanced materials, and ag-bio products that feed and fuel the world.