By Catherine Gray Beuten
Integrated University Communications
No boundaries, no limits. The Center for Faculty Development often pairs mentors and mentees from different schools and colleges. The result: An even greater opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Greg Cronin, right, associate professor and acting chair of the College of Liberal Arts and Science’s Department of Biology, might not seem to have much in common with a faculty member from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, but that’s just not the case. Cronin was paired with Jason Ren, left, assistant professor of civil engineering, and together they’re making the Earth a better place.
Ren, who joined the University of Colorado Denver in 2008, uses organisms to purify water and produce energy, which contributes to a more sustainable society. “My research area is mainly in environmental microbiology,” Ren says. “So as the department chair in biology, Greg has offered many valuable suggestions. We discussed several research ideas, such as biosensor development using microbial fuel cells.”
The benefit is mutual.
“Jason’s research is unique and cutting edge, and is very relevant to my research and interests,” Cronin explains. Through his connections in biology, Cronin was able to hook Ren up with some important projects in sustainability.
“Jason works with wastewater, so I was happy to have him take my place on the Citizen Participation Group at Metro Wastewater Reclamation District,” he explains. “I also invited Jason to give a seminar in our department – this is a line on his CV and, more importantly, it educated my department about the research that a colleague in engineering was performing.”
“The seminar was very successful,” adds Ren. “I’ve talked to several faculty members since then for research ideas and advertised my courses to biology students.”
Cronin had been instrumental in helping Ren, who is new to the area, make connections inside and outside the university.
“He introduced me to Denver Zoo for their waste-to-energy project, which resulted in a successful collaboration,” Ren says. “I am currently working with the zoo to convert their animal waste into electricity using my microbial fuel cells.” (Check out ABC’s Zoo Poop to Power video http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18753218/detail.html!)
Ren’s research with the zoo has received local and national recognition.
“The Denver Zoo has an ambitious plan to reduce waste,” adds Cronin, who has been with UC Denver for 10 years. “Jason’s research can help them achieve their goals, while educating zoo patrons about microbial fuel cells.”
Cronin joined the mentorship program to help junior faculty succeed in achieving tenure. “It wasn’t too long ago that I was an assistant professor trying to balance teaching, research, service and family responsibilities while maintaining a high quality of life,” he says. “I was successful at this despite some mistakes made along the way. I benefited from advice provided by mentors and colleagues, and want to return the favor to junior faculty like Jason . . . and personally, I like Jason, so I want to see him succeed.”
Ren joined the program to gain academic and personal insight, wisdom and ultimately, tenure at the University of Colorado Denver. “I learned from the program how to balance personal life with professional development, and how to adapt myself into the community,” he explains. “This program has certainly helped me a lot. It helped me find a great mentor and it provides great seminars, such as time management, teaching excellence and professional development.
“I personally have been advertising this program as much as I can to other new faculty members, and I will keep doing that.”