The Department of Neuroscience recognizes faculty and staff each month whose hard work and dedication contributes to our mission and whom we’re proud to have on our team. Find out more about the spotlight of the month below!
January 2021 - Georgia Bishop, PhD
Where are you from originally and what led you to Ohio State?
I was born in Chicago, IL. I did my graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and came to OSU as a postdoctoral fellow in Jim King’s lab. A position opened while I was doing my postdoc so I applied and I was hired because I could teach Gross Anatomy.
What lab do you work in and what type of research to do facilitate?
I ran my own lab from 1980 – 2013. At that time, the Neuroscience major was approved and I was involved in teaching two courses and serving on the steering committee for the major. I was also asked to be Director of the Neurological Disorders block for medical students in 2014. The new teaching responsibilities took up a lot of my time so I switched from doing mostly research to full-time teaching.
What do enjoy doing in your free time, outside of work?
Variety of crafts (e.g., woodworking, quilting, general crafts that I enter at the Ohio State Fair – until this year), gardening, baking.
What drew you to the field and the role you play in the Department of Neuroscience?
I was a physical therapist for four years. I wanted to know about what was going on in the brain of the patients that had neurological disorders so I went to graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. I found I loved research and did not go back to practice as a PT. As I tell my students, it’s OK to make changes as you move through your career.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
Jim King was an outstanding mentor. He helped me move through the ranks from Postdoc, to Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and Professor. His advice was something I could always count on.
What is your favorite movie, book, or band/singer/songwriter and why?
I don’t really have any favorites. I like a variety of genres.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Interacting with other faculty and with students. I enjoy coming up with new curricula and the challenges of learning new technology and applying it to what I do. It has been exciting to see how our understanding of the brain has changed over the last 40 years and the new techniques that have been developed to study it.
Do you have any insights or advice to those who are just starting out or are interested in Neuroscience research?
Follow your passions and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something or that you won’t succeed.
What are some hidden talents of yours?
None that I can think of.
What else should we know about you?
Not much. What you see is what you get.