Vacant Oread Lab Space Filling Quickly

Since the KU Center for Research, Inc., purchased 55,000-square feet of office and laboratory space formerly occupied by Oread Laboratories, the space has been highly sought after by researchers. In fact, Director of the Drug Discovery Program at the HBC Gunda Georg and a group of her medicinal chemistry research associates and student research assistants are in the process of moving into a wet lab and some office space in the facility. Georg is principal investigator of the $9.9-million COBRE grant awarded in 2000 that will fund cancer research projects over the next five years.

At a recent meeting, KU's space committee also approved assigning a small amount of space for a potential engineering research center (ERC). Bala Subramaniam (Chemical and Petroleum Engineering) and Daryle Busch (chemistry department) are developing an ERC proposal for the National Science Foundation. In addition to this initial space, the space committee also has allotted them a substantial amount of additional space contingent on whether they win the ERC grant for the creation of a collaborative environmentally benign catalytic processing research center. The proposed ERC center will systematically address an urgent technological need facing the U.S. chemical industry-the development of environmentally benign and inherently safe catalytic processes.

"There's never been an ERC in Kansas," said associate vice chancellor for research and public service, Jim Roberts. "This would be a significant achievement for the University, and we think that having this space waiting in the wings will give the scientists and engineers a competitive edge in terms of the grant."

Roberts said there have been a fair number of proposals for space both at the Life Science Research lab at 15th and Wakarusa as well as at the Oread East (formerly INTERx) building on West campus. Roberts, KUCR staff, assistant provost Rich Givens, and Tom Waechter, chair of the University Space Committee will continue to review proposals and meet with the applicants. If the facility and the applicant appear to be a good match, Roberts will recommend them to the University Space Committee and start the ball rolling.