July 1, 2009 – Someone You Should Know

Laura Tuhela-Reuning and Devinda Hiripitiyage ’10, one of her students, kick back with some stuffed giant microbe toys.

Photo courtesy of Laura Tuhela-Reuning

Laura Tuhela-Reuning
A close-up look at an Ohio Wesleyan microscopist

If scientists were to look at Laura Tuhela-Reuning under a microscope, they would be amazed by her complexity. Professor, microscopist, event coordinator, gardener, wine maker, baseball fanatic, mentor, and volunteer—just to name a few—make up the person fondly known at Ohio Wesleyan as Dr. T-R.

Tuhela-Reuning received her doctorate in microbiology from The Ohio State University, and came to Ohio Wesleyan University in 1997 as a scanning electron microscope technician and a part-time associate professor of botany/microbiology and zoology.

Dr. T-R says she loves her job because she never has a “typical” day, explaining that she never does the same thing two days in a row.

“When I was working summer jobs in high school, I just hoped someday I would have a job I didn’t hate,” she says. “I never dreamed of having a job I enjoyed and loved, but that is exactly the kind of job I have here at OWU. I am very fortunate.”

Tuhela-Reuning also is the events coordinator for the Summer Science Research Program. She is in charge of organizing the Wednesday luncheons, the recreational activities, and the Patricia Belt Conrades Summer Science Research Symposium, to be held this fall.

During the summer, she also finds time to teach classes for OWjL and SLEUTHS, two residential camp programs held on the OWU campus for gifted and talented middle school and high school students.

When Tuhela-Reuning is not on campus, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, their two cats, Cindy and Isis, and their pet chicken, Miss Kitty F. Carmichael. Although Kitty’s initials spell out KFC, Tuhela-Reuning made it clear that Kitty is never going to be dinner. In fact, she has her own bedroom and even comes when her name is called.

This animal lover also enjoys gardening. She currently is growing more than 20 different vegetables and herbs in a garden that would put any produce section to shame. She says that Kitty helps to keep the garden growing nice and strong by eating Japanese beetles off the plants.

Tuhela-Reuning also is an amateur wine maker, which she says is a great hobby for a microbiologist. She and her husband have experimented with creating many different varieties of wine, and have also won several awards.

When she and Steve are not busy in the garden or perfecting their wine, they enjoy attending baseball games. In fact, enjoy might not be a strong enough word.

“I am a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and a long-time season ticket holder to the Columbus Clippers,” she says. “We attend the Triple-A All Star Game each summer and have been going to baseball spring training for 10 years.”

Their stair banister is even made of baseball bats, but not just any bats. These are made by the artisan who makes the vintage baseball bats for the Ohio Village Muffins 1860s-style baseball team.

Despite her very full plate, Tuhela-Reuning also finds time to give back to the community.

“Steve and I are members of the St. Thomas More Newman Center in Columbus, and are active in the RCIA team,” Tuhela-Reuning says.

RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, which is the process people go through if they want to join the Catholic faith. Tuhela-Reuning and Steve are mentors for these people, helping to answer questions about Catholicism.

One thing is for sure: Whether on or off campus, Dr. T-R is never too busy to lend a hand or find time for her students.

– Emily Hastings ’10