The University of Iowa and the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine received $1 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to help the biomedical research enterprise recover from the effects of the summer 2008 flood.
Despite escaping the floodwaters that devastated other areas of campus, the UI Carver College of Medicine, and in particular the biomedical research community, was seriously affected by the of the UI Power Plant shut down. The plant provides steam, which is essential for air conditioning and temperature control as well as autoclave operations and hot water production. It is critical the heating and cooling capabilities are maintained to keep the research enterprise operational.
The HHMI contribution will help pay for a number of temporary systems to provide steam and chilled water to the Carver College of Medicine facilities.
"We are extremely grateful to HHMI for this generous contribution," said Paul Rothman, MD, dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine. "The speed at which HHMI responded to our request for help speaks volumes to the institute's commitment to sustaining and fostering biomedical research across the nation."
The HHMI does not normally contribute to disaster recovery at educational institutions. However, in announcing the contribution, Thomas R. Cech, president of HHMI, noted that the situation at the UI provided compelling reasons for HHMI to help. According to Cech, "the Carver College of Medicine is home to four HHMI investigators:
whose research contributes directly to HHMI's mission of advancing biomedical research in the United States.
"Given the magnitude of the flood and its devastating effect on the UI campus, we needed to participate in the recovery," Cech said.
The series of events that led to the HHMI contribution was set in motion by Campbell, professor and head of molecular physiology and biophysics, when he alerted HHMI to the consequences of the flooding to the biomedical research enterprise.
The UI and Carver College of Medicine leadership sent a formal letter to HHMI outlining the temporary systems required to safeguard and maintain the research enterprise and the cost of leasing and installing them. HHMI responded rapidly with the $1 million. |
For more information:
UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Paul Rothman, MD
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