Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center (Marshall University)

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Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center
RCB BioTechCenter.JPG
Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center (Marshall University)
General information
Type Biotechnology Science Center
Address1700 3rd Ave, Huntington, WV 25703
Town or city Huntington, West Virginia
Country USA
Named for Robert C. Byrd
OpenedJanuary, 2007
Cost$40 million (USD)
Affiliation Marshall University
Technical details
Size200,000 square foot

The Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center biotechnology research and teaching structure on the campus of Marshall University along 3rd Avenue in Huntington, West Virginia. It is named after longtime U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, who was a proponent of the project and got funding for its construction from the U.S Congress.

Contents

The first floor contains two auditoriums, six teaching laboratories, numerous lecture rooms and other research appendages. [1] The second floor is tailored to the College of Science, where labs for biotechnology research and teaching will reside alongside "student study spaces." There are also seminar rooms and numerous student and faculty offices.

History

To obtain funding for the Biotechnology Science Center, Robert C. Byrd requested $35.6 million in Congressional appropriations or earmarks. [2]

The 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2). four-story facility [1] opened in January 2007 at a cost of $48 million. [2] The complex united undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Science and medical school students, along with faculty and researchers. Many of the researchers and faculty were separated from the main campus by as much as eight miles (13 km) at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Spring Valley. [2]

The Biotechnology Science Center was one of two buildings proposed north of 3rd Avenue. [2] The other, still in planning stages, will house the College of Information Technology, the Center for Environmental and Geotechnical Applied Sciences, a development center and a visualization resource center. The latter will host students and faculty who work on three-dimensional modeling, animation and simulation technologies, and would complement the Biotechnology Science Center and the new engineering program at the university. The $35 million structure would also include an incubator for startup businesses in the biotechnology field.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "New schools, businesses expected in Tri-State." Herald-Dispatch [Huntington] 1 Jan. 2007. 2 Jan. 2007 [ permanent dead link ].
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Building biotech center's neighbor is vital to MU's future." Herald-Dispatch [Huntington] 24 Jan. 2007. 24 Jan. 2007 .

38°25′30.4″N82°25′39.7″W / 38.425111°N 82.427694°W / 38.425111; -82.427694