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UK Opens Multidisciplinary Research Facility

Stu Johnson

University administrators, government leaders at the state and federal levels, along with many medical scientists today recognized the opening of the University of Kentucky’s multidisciplinary research building.  Efforts are well underway to recruit internationally known researchers to work in the $265 million facility in Lexington. 

UK Vice President for Research Lisa Cassis says UK President Elia Capilouto is asking 50% be existing faculty and 50% new. “You know that’s good because then we are mixing the new people with the people who are here that can then catapult research within their programs and even outside the building where others are doing cancer research for example,” said Cassis.

The six floor, 300,000 square foot facility was paid for through a combination of state funds and private philanthropy.   Phase one of the building will open this fall and will include some of the school’s leading cancer researchers.

Cassis says Appalachian health is a priority of President Eli Capilouto, including the issue of opioid use disorder.  “We have really big important goals that we will be trying to work on this year, under the president’s, he wants us to do this.  He’s so passionate about this area.  And I think that will be a major area of focus for us to try to implement those in the Appalachian region,” explained Cassis.

Cassis says the new research center will allow for a bench scientist like herself to meet alongside with someone who studies the economics of obesity, such as poverty issues.?

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