As we turn our calendars to 2023, we take a step back to evaluate the incredible College of Arts and Sciences stories we told in 2022. We are proud to present some of our top stories of the last 12 months, and we can't wait to share another year of excellence, innovation and distinction in 2023.

Speech and hearing science student works at intersections of advocacy

Jaiden Blancaflor, a second-year undergraduate at Ohio State majoring in speech and hearing science, was selected to the inaugural cohort of GLSEN’s Freedom Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities for its fellows to study regional topics affecting LGBTQ students, create stronger connections among LGBTQ youth and make school environments safer and more affirming spaces. In this story, Blancaflor discusses how he wants to be a voice of social justice for multiple communities.

Using AI, machine learning to confront biodiversity loss

Professor Tanya Berger-Wolf, a professor in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ecology. Read about her fascinating research into machine learning and the world of conservation, including a groundbreaking project that used artificial intelligence to identify and track individual zebras via their stripes.

Mountain-climbing veteran studying history, promoting mental health

Veteran and nontraditional history student Mike Fairman has climbed some of the world's tallest mountains. Everywhere he goes, he carries with him an important mission to promote mental wellbeing for veterans. Read this story about the mountains he's climbed — both physical and mental — and the ones he still has ahead of him.

Arts and Sciences co-investigators support project to create quantum bits with rare-earth ions

Quantum information science (QIS) research isn’t new on Ohio State’s campus. However, a Catalyst Grant through the President's Research Excellence program to develop novel quantum bits for quantum networks could change everything for the university and the international QIS community.

Ohio State, Getty Images partner to uncover untold stories and pictures of Black history

Last year, The Ohio State University collaborated with Getty Images, a global visual content creator and marketplace, to launch Picturing Black History, a joint initiative to recontextualize and surface Black histories, providing new perspectives and shedding light on some of the most culturally significant moments of the past. Our story on the project highlights work done by the Department of History to get Picturing Black History off the ground.

Eight-year study on the sound of religion culminates in interactive auditory exhibit at Urban Arts Space

Isaac Weiner, associate professor in the Department of Comparative Studies at Ohio State, has been exploring the way religion sounds in the United States with the American Religious Sounds Project (ARSP). Check out the story of how eight years of collaborative research came together in a reflective exhibition at the Urban Arts Space gallery over the summer.

Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project challenges misconceptions, builds pathways

Thomas and Tiyi Morris, an associate professor of African American and African studies at Ohio State Newark, run a program between Ohio State and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction that teaches college-level courses inside correctional institutions. The classes are taught by Ohio State faculty to Ohio State students — some who are incarcerated within the facility (inside students) and some who are not (outside students).

Arts and Sciences community motivated to ride in Pelotonia

Pelotonia means a lot to Arts and Sciences staff members Jeremie Smith and Maggie Wetzel. Read Maggie's story of fighting cancer and their fight to make a difference by raising funds to combat the disease. Members of the Arts and Sciences community can also see how to join the college's Pelotonia group next year. The community-driven event grows each year, inspiring a more steadfast commitment to fighting cancer one pedal at a time.

Chemistry professor starts foundation to give back to children in Ghana

See how Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Abraham Badu-Tawiah is hoping to give back to his home country by starting a foundation that will help children get a better education. His charity, which he will be calling “X-Ed Foundation,” short for “Excelling Education,” is in its early stages but is already finding success.

Finding a Community: PASS Program helps underrepresented students find their path at Ohio State

Being a part of the Program for Advancing Scholarship and Service (PASS) gives students a fast track to finding a community at Ohio State through early registration for courses, health and wellness workshops and roundtable discussions. See how their Ohio State journey begins with this unique program for freshmen.