Students sing praises of singing professor

By: Tara Pistorese

Posted: 2/6/08

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.

"He goes out of his way for students in terms of doing one-on-one training with them."

Ahern makes himself available at any time and even gives his home phone number out to students so they can call him if need be.

"It's great that he is enthusiastic about interactions with students," Tan said.

When asked to describe Ahern in several words, students described him as fun, unique, intellectual and passionate, among other things.

"What other professors video tape their classes and post them online so you can enjoy his lecturing more than three times a week?" said Jenna Smith, a senior in biochemistry and biophysics.

Teaching has become Ahern's passion over the years, but it was not something he had originally planned on doing.

"I never really realized how much I enjoyed teaching until I actually started doing it," Ahern said.

"When I started doing it, it just grew. I mean it absolutely grew. I never expected I would like it as much as I did."

As for future plans, Ahern will be directing the summer undergraduate Howard Hughes research program.

"I'm kind of thinking of that right now because we are starting the application process for this year," Ahern said.

"This will be our 10th year, so that's pretty exciting."

One piece of advice Ahern hopes students will take is to get involved on campus and make valuable connections.

He encourages students to get to know their professors now and become more interactive within the OSU community.

Tara Pistorese, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231