Building dedication on west Campus

The University of Kansas dedicated the Multidisciplinary Research Building, or MRB, Monday on west campus. The three-floor building cost $40 million and was completed in December.

Robert Hemenway, KU Chancellor, Donna Shanks, Kansas Board of Regents President, and Dennis Moore, U.S. representative, were on hand to dedicate KU's newest building. The 106,000 square foot building is just one of the growing research facilities on west campus.

For Vionette Dechoudens, PhD student researcher, the new improvements and space are a welcome sight for researchers.

"I was working at the Nichols Hall because that's where my advisor had his lab before. Facilities were nice too, but this is nicer. There's no comparison," Dechoudens said.

Incorporating several research programs is one of the key themes for the the MRB. The facility will house a variety of subjects. Researchers will conduct studies in the fields of chemisty, pharmacuetical and medicinal chemistry, bioinformatics, geology and chemical and petroleum engineering. The building is designed to achieve maximum collaboration. Labs are on the outer edge of the building with offices grouped in the interior. KU is already looking to expand its research facilities in the future.

Dr. James Roberts, Vice Provost for Research, said the new space will increase research potential.

"We need additional space and this is important because it emphasizes collaboration. That's really the nature of what's going on right now, crossing interdisciplinary boundaries," Roberts said.

To enhance collaboration, researchers placed dry erase boards throughout the halls of the building. Students are encouraged to write their research and post notes on the boards to share with others.

"The theme that runs through these panels also runs throughout this building. Collaboration across disciplines achieves breakthroughs in science," Hemenway said.

The KU Center for Research funded the project which will include a third phase, with construction slated to begin this summer. More than 200 scientists, students and researchers will use the facility.