Employee Focus on TJ Plageman
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: TJ Plageman, PhD
Current Title: Professor
Pronouns: He/him
Hometown: Jenera, Ohio
Degrees and Institutions attended:
BS (Molecular Genetics) The Ohio State University
PhD (Molecular and Developmental Biology) University of Cincinnati
Years of Employment at the College: 13.5
Q&A
What brought you to the College of Optometry?
After my post-doctoral training, I was interested in setting up a research program centered on defining how ocular tissues grow and develop at a cellular and molecular level in a university/academic setting, preferably close to home. It was an honor to be offered a position at the university I grew up loving.
Describe your typical day at work or describe your position/role.
In my position, I manage a small research group on the third floor of Fry that includes graduate and undergraduate students and a research associate. I heavily rely on them to carry out day-to-day experimental goals as they work on a variety of research projects. I spend a large amount of time writing grants, facilitating/writing manuscripts, reviewing grants and manuscripts of scientific peers, and preparing and managing online classes for the first-year optometry students.
What brings you the most joy in your work?
It is a privilege to facilitate the success of students in the lab and classroom. I also love utilizing microscopy in all its forms; observing the hidden details of our world is always a highlight of a typical day.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the college?
Ask questions, stay curious, and take advantage of the knowledge and experience of your colleagues. The people (staff, faculty, and students) at our college are incredibly supportive, kind, and always willing to help, making it a great environment to learn and grow.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I enjoy watching (and playing when I can) a variety of different sports, especially soccer, football, and basketball. All four of my children played soccer since they could practically walk, and I particularly love watching them play as a coach and now mostly as a spectator with my wife, Kari. I own an embarrassing number of modern era (euro-style) board games that I like to play. I dabble in simple woodworking, 3-D modeling, hiking/long walks when time permits, and I have too many brain cells devoted to science/fantasy fiction (movies and books).
What was your first job?
My first jobs in high school included working at the Hancock County Park District pedal boat/canoe rental on the Blanchard River in Findlay, Ohio. At the conclusion of my first day of work, I jumped into the river to rescue boats from going over a dam. I also worked at a Godfather’s pizza in the same town.