Students sing praises of singing professor
Tara Pistorese
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
Outside the second-floor offices of the Agricultural and Life Sciences building is a sign that reads, "No skateboarding, rollerblading or pets allowed."
Apparently these are not the only things "prohibited" in the offices, as directly below the sign is a picture of Professor Kevin Ahern.
Humorous and charismatic, Ahern has been a contributing member of the OSU community since his return in 1988. He is currently working as a senior instructor in biochemistry and biophysics.
"OSU is a great place," Ahern said.
His wife, Indira, also a professor in biochemistry and biophysics, has an office directly next door his.
"I have to behave myself," Ahern said.
Although Ahern and his wife do not have any children of their own, they feel that the relationships they create with their students can be compared to those of parents with a son or daughter.
"We don't have diaper days, we don't have the teenage rebellion. By the time we see students, they're adults," Ahern said. "We have students who literally are our children by the time they leave here. To me, that's almost family."
Students often stay in touch with Ahern and his wife and come back to visit.
"He is my advisor, and I would also consider him a pretty good friend," said Tony Rianprakaisang, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics and the president of OSU's Biochemistry Club.
"He is also kind of a second parent, if you will."
Ahern's teaching techniques go above and beyond the requirements of a senior instructor.
One example of Ahern's overachievement is his "Metabolic Melodies," which are popular among students.
Ahern creates personalized lyrics and applies them to common tunes in order to help students better understand the material.
The results are jingles such as "God Rest Ye Merry Lipoproteins."
"He just loves students, and you can tell that he does," said Tari Tan, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics.
Apparently these are not the only things "prohibited" in the offices, as directly below the sign is a picture of Professor Kevin Ahern.
Humorous and charismatic, Ahern has been a contributing member of the OSU community since his return in 1988. He is currently working as a senior instructor in biochemistry and biophysics.
"OSU is a great place," Ahern said.
His wife, Indira, also a professor in biochemistry and biophysics, has an office directly next door his.
"I have to behave myself," Ahern said.
Although Ahern and his wife do not have any children of their own, they feel that the relationships they create with their students can be compared to those of parents with a son or daughter.
"We don't have diaper days, we don't have the teenage rebellion. By the time we see students, they're adults," Ahern said. "We have students who literally are our children by the time they leave here. To me, that's almost family."
Students often stay in touch with Ahern and his wife and come back to visit.
"He is my advisor, and I would also consider him a pretty good friend," said Tony Rianprakaisang, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics and the president of OSU's Biochemistry Club.
"He is also kind of a second parent, if you will."
Ahern's teaching techniques go above and beyond the requirements of a senior instructor.
One example of Ahern's overachievement is his "Metabolic Melodies," which are popular among students.
Ahern creates personalized lyrics and applies them to common tunes in order to help students better understand the material.
The results are jingles such as "God Rest Ye Merry Lipoproteins."
"He just loves students, and you can tell that he does," said Tari Tan, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics.
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