What's new in Research, Innovation & Impact
In addition to three floors of research labs, the Grand Challenges Research Building will have public spaces, study spaces and meeting rooms to support student engagement and instruction. (Rendering provided by ZGF/BWS Architects)
Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation
This is the first in a monthly series highlighting developments from the Office of Research, Innovation & Impact, which is led by Elizabeth "Betsy" Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation.
Grand Challenges Research Building
A groundbreaking ceremony for the $99 million, seven-story Grand Challenges Research Building was held Sept. 28. The new building will house laboratories and research space for cross-campus interdisciplinary programs designed to tackle society's most pressing questions, possibilities and issues. Located on Cherry Avenue between University Drive and Fourth Street, the nearly 108,000-square-foot facility will connect to the Meinel Optical Sciences building and is expected to be completed in January 2024.
The GCRB will include a ground floor with public spaces, study spaces and meeting rooms to support student engagement and instruction, as well as three floors of laboratories and offices for faculty in the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Three additional floors will be dedicated to research laboratories and offices for centers and cross-campus interdisciplinary programs, including the new Center for Quantum Networks, which is led by the college.
New Faculty Foresight Council
The new RII Faculty Foresight Council will advise Cantwell on matters pertaining to the future of University of Arizona research activities and strategic research and innovation goals. At the first meeting, held Oct. 15, Cantwell spoke about her vision for the council and facilitated the identification of five areas of interest that the faculty nominees, representing 12 colleges, will work on over the next year. Council meetings will be held monthly for the rest of the academic year.
Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
The Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is moving from the Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension into RII, where other core laboratories are supported.
Along with that move, Bonnie Buntain has become the lab's interim director, succeeding Lisa Viesselmann, who will be working within the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Andrea Gerlak named director of the Udall Center
After serving as acting director of the Udall Center since May, Andrea Gerlak, research professor in the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and professor in the School of Geography, Development and Environment, has been appointed director effective Nov. 1.
Gerlak holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Arizona and studies cooperation and conflict around water, including questions of institutional change and adaptation to climate change in river basins and human rights and equity issues in water governance.
Convo with Cantwell
Registration is open for the November and December "Convo with Cantwell" fireside chats. Information on topics and panelists will be announced soon. Click on the links below to register.