Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated the opening of a newly constructed 7,000 square foot biomedical research facility Thursday evening—an addition that will lead to groundbreaking medical advances in treating prominent diseases and improve the health of patients in North Carolina and beyond.
Campbell Medicine unveiled the Smith Hall Research Center to University officials, faculty, staff and distinguished guests with an Open House ceremony at its location on the fourth floor of the at the Tracey F. Smith Hall of Nursing & Medical Sciences, located on the University’s Health Sciences campus.
Dr. Grace Brannan, associate dean for research, opened the event with a welcome message, “The hard work that has gone into the development of this space is amazing. I look forward to seeing the faculty and student research that comes from it,” said Dr. Brannan.
“Research means finding and discovering the unknown,” said Mr. Thomas J. Keith, chairman of the board of trustees. “It is my hope that this will bring us together in better health.”
Dr. Mark Hammond, vice president for academic affairs and provost, commented that the opening of this facility is a visible sign of our mission, “Here at Campbell we embrace learning, tackle the tough questions…I cannot wait to see what these new facilities will allow us to do.”
The new facility includes 14 lab benches with 28 workstations equipped for research in the areas of cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, fluorescence microscopy, protein, DNA and RNA analysis, and small molecule separation. The center also includes a room designed for use with radioactive and controlled substances.
“Campbell Medicine aims to expand research collaboration amongst students, faculty, and residents while increasing research productivity with publications, presentations, and extramural funding,” said Dr. John M. Kauffman, Jr., dean. “This is certainly a very exciting time for Campbell and the School of Medicine.”
Dean Kauffman and Dr. Brannan presented an award to Dr. Terri Hamrick, assistant dean for scholarly affairs, recognizing her extraordinary effort and contribution to the design, planning, and building of the research center.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a time of networking and were given guided tours of the laboratory by faculty and student researchers. To learn more about research at Campbell Medicine, visit medicine.campbell.edu/research.