Dr. Jonathan Song
Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Co-Director of Center for Cancer Engineering - CURES
I've taught classes in the thermal fluid science interest area of mechanical engineering, such fluid mechanics. I also piloted a course about 11 years ago called Engineering Principles in Cancer which is a course focused on cancer taught from the perspective of engineering. It's unique that it crosses three engineering departments: chemical and biomolecular, biomedical and molecular, and mechanical and aerospace engineering.
What drew you to Ohio State?
When I was recruited as a faculty member to come to Ohio State, it was part of a new initiative between the College of Engineering and the comprehensive Cancer Center to bridge engineering technology with cancer research. The Center for Cancer Engineering-CURES, which I serve as co-director, is in many ways a formalization of this initiative. The size and scope of the high caliber of research really at this intersection of engineering and oncology drew me to Ohio State.
What has your research or career taught you?
There are some standard answers - patience, open to collaboration, determination, and diligence - which are all true. The other is one that has become clearer over the years which is research takes a lot of mental endurance. It underpins everything else.
Why is it important to engage the community in your research?
We have the privilege of doing some cutting edge, unique specialized research but at the same time a lot of people want to know what it's about and how it can benefit society. While the solution might not be immediately apparent while doing the research, if we continue the dialogue with the community, those things start crystalizing much faster, so it's a great partnership as well.
