Ohio State University's Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering has a new department chair. Scott A. Shearer began his duties July 1. A native of Tipp City, Ohio, and an alumnus of the department, he most recently served as professor and chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on precision agriculture technologies. "We have an extremely strong program here at Ohio State, and I'm looking forward to finding ways to make it even stronger," Shearer said. "Our profession has the expertise to address many of the problems facing society when it comes to meeting both food and energy needs in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. To do this will require that we continue to attract the best and brightest students to our discipline." The department is part of two colleges at Ohio State -- the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), and the College of Engineering. In announcing Shearer's appointment, Bobby Moser, Ohio State's vice president, agricultural administration, and dean of CFAES, said, "Dr. Shearer has made great contributions to academia and agricultural engineering, and is respected throughout the nation as a distinguished researcher, educator, mentor, administrator and professional leader. He is the ideal person to help us move the department toward eminence." Shearer hopes to develop new partners to work with the department as a way to increase student scholarship opportunities and bolster the department's research and outreach efforts. He can be reached at 614-292-9338 or shearer.95@osu.edu. 07.22.2011