Inside Iowa State
May 19, 2000
Partners at home and in the laboratory
by Laura Boskelly, News Service intern
Love, understanding and science go hand in hand for three
couples at Iowa State.
Marc Porter and Shelley Coldiron, David and Carol Vleck, and
Anita and Robert Cody were college sweethearts. Their love
for each other and their passion for science have grown into
side-by-side careers.
Porter, a professor in chemistry and scientist at Ames Lab, and Coldiron, an adjunct professor in chemistry and scientist for the Institute for Physical Research and Technology, have been married 19 years. They met in graduate school.
"I thought she'd be a good person to work with on an essay for a grant application," Porter said, denying any ulterior motive.
David Vleck, research scientist and adjunct associate professor in zoology and genetics, and Carol Vleck, assistant professor in zoology and genetics, have been married 27 years and met as freshmen in college.
"I remember him in my comparative anatomy class," Carol Vleck recalled. "He was a lab partner with a friend of mine. But we met at a square dance the college had as a get-together for all the freshmen."
Anita and Robert Cody, instructor and professor, respectively, in geological and atmospheric sciences, have been married 33 years. They met in graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
"As geology graduate students, our research areas were different, but we both liked to hike and our first date was a hiking trip," Anita Cody said.
Ideal situation
Though these couples have varying research areas, all
agree on one thing: working with their significant other is
ideal.
"Being in the same professional area, we understand each other," Porter said. "I have someone who will listen and give good insight into my work."
Other spouses, Porter said, probably can't fully understand the trials of a partner's work. He and Coldiron can, because they work together day in and day out, he said.
"Marc and I are workaholics and we really enjoy being able to talk about work," Coldiron said. "So for us, it's terrific because one of the major centers of our lives is our jobs and we can relate to each other about that."
Carol Vleck said David helps in every aspect of her job, whether it's teaching, research or other areas of academic life.
"Since we have such similar backgrounds, with our own narrow specialties overlaid on that broad background, he's an invaluable source of information and support," she said.
David Vleck said he thinks they have more understanding in their relationship than the average couple. "I can work late on a project and Carol will understand because she's been there before," he said.
"I suppose we could work by ourselves," Robert Cody said. "But it's much more enjoyable to do the work together."
In addition, Cody says his wife "can provide more insights Š different insights into a project that I would not have come up with."
The Vlecks have published books together, worked in the same lab overseeing graduate students and shared many research projects.
Staying together
"The hardest part is finding a job at the same university
in the same interest area," David Vleck said.
"When two people are so similar in their academic backgrounds, it is rare to find two jobs in that field available at one institution," Carol Vleck said. "Even when people diversify, finding two jobs where both members of a couple can grow in their jobs is difficult, especially in small towns with limited job opportunities.
"Sometimes one person's career has to be put on the back burner or someone has to make a career switch in order for the other to find job security or satisfaction," she said.
Anita Cody also said there can be tension.
"We argue about certain things, but we know it's mainly to get better insights about research projects; it's really not to fight each other," she said.
But there are unexpected perks to working together, the three couples agreed. For example, the opportunity to travel has always been a plus in their careers.
"We were able to spend some time in Antarctica working together on my research project," Carol Vleck said. "Antarctica is such a special and indescribable place. I was very glad we got to experience it together."
Outside the office, Porter and Coldiron attend baseball games in Kansas City and also play golf and racquetball together.
"The only time Shelley can't count is during her golf game," Porter joked.
The Vlecks like to go out to dinner and to a movie and occasionally, venture off for short backpacking trips. The Codys belong to different clubs and like to read in their spare time.
The scientists' work consumes much of their lives, but they are happy spending that time with their spouses.
"Our lives revolve around work," Coldiron said. "I couldn't imagine having a partner that I couldn't talk to about work."
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