All media are welcome to cover this event, which is open to the public.

On Thurs., Nov. 2, Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) will celebrate the opening of Life Sciences Center II (LSC II), a $59 million, state-of-the-art, science facility decades in the making. LSC II will serve as the hub to the sciences quad, a contiguous, multi-building, teaching and research complex for the life sciences. The 85,000-square-foot-structure gives physical reality to interdisciplinary practice in the sciences linking Life Sciences I, built more than 10 years ago; Boyden Hall (biology and environmental sciences); Aidekman Hall (neuroscience); and Olson Hall (chemistry).

The five above-ground floors inside LSC II include: modern teaching laboratories for upper-level chemistry and biology courses; chemistry and biology research laboratories; and a 100-seat lecture hall with “smart classroom” capability, designed for active learning and student engagement. A state-of-the-art imaging and electron-microscopy facility are housed below ground level.

LSC II will further broaden the university’s capacity to be a talent pipeline for women and minorities in science and enhance support for community-engaged research that has an impact in Greater Newark, New Jersey.

Life Sciences Center II was funded from a portion of a $750 million bond issue approved by New Jersey voters in November 2012.

WHO:

Chancellor Nancy Cantor, RU-N

Dean Jan Ellen Lewis, Faculty of Arts and Sciences–Newark (FASN)

Senior Associate Dean John Sheridan, FASN

What:

Ribbon-cutting/reception to celebrate the opening of the new Life Sciences Center II.

WHEN:

Thurs., Nov. 2, 3 – 5 p.m.

WHERE:

225 University Avenue at RU-N (main lobby)

BACKGROUND:

The new Life Sciences Center II underscores RU-N’s commitment to be at the forefront of teaching and research in the life sciences that resonates globally and can be applied locally as well as its commitment to increasing the talent pipeline for women and minorities in science. The $59 million, 85,000-square-foot, five-story structure will expose students to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge, community-engaged research.