UA BIO5 opening unveils new research buildings

December 5, 2006

By hammersmith

The University of Arizona hosted a grand opening of the BIO5 Institute’s Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch building and the UA College of Medicine Research Building.

The 177,000 square-foot, $61.5 million Bioresearch Building will house the BIO5 Institute, which does basic research in agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, basic science, and engineering. The 135,280 square foot, $54 million Medical Research Building will house research programs in cancer and imaging, neuroscience, molecular cardiovascular science, and diabetes.

Completion of the new buildings marks a major milestone in the state’s efforts to increase its capacity for conducting cutting-edge research. Together, both buildings will provide laboratories and office space for nearly 800 bioscience researchers.

The opening ceremony, hosted by President Robert Shelton, included speeches by Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, former UA President Peter Likins, Science Foundation Arizona President and CEO Bill Harris, BIO5 Director Vicki Chandler, UA College of Medicine Dean Keith Joiner, and donor Thomas Keating.

“This is a special day for Vicki Chandler and Keith Joiner, and a celebration of their hard work,” said Harris in a speech.

“The dedication of these buildings represents an investment in the economic diversity of this state.”

The BIO5 Institute melds five disciplines — agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, basic science, and engineering. BIO5 faculty, which collectively garner $100 million each year in federal research grants, represent 13 departments in six different colleges at the UA. The new buildings will house these researchers as they conduct collaborative, multi-disciplinary studies.

 


For more information:

BIO5 and medical research buildings unveiled this Friday,” UA News, 11/29/2006