Some say that good things come to those who wait.
I’m glad to be able to say that—in this instance—we didn’t have to. As it happens, the Molecular Medicine Research Building is opening ahead of the original schedule set forth in the School of Medicine’s Strategic Research Initiative.
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. — Scientific Symposium, Kontos Medical Sciences Building
12 noon — Building Dedication, Molecular Medicine Research Building
On each of MMRB’s eight floors, you can find the power to transform our understanding of illness and disease and to ultimately uncover new therapies and cures. The cohort of researchers who will occupy the building are outstanding scientists and having them in this wonderful new environment should bring out the best in their creativity.
In fact, one of my favorite things about the new building is its open labs that will encourage interaction among these researchers—even among those of different disciplines.
To mark the building’s opening, we have asked two exceptional scientists to come to the MCV Campus and challenge us to think about biomedical problems in new ways. Joining us for a scientific symposium on April 24, in the Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building Auditorium, are:
- J. Silvio Gutkind , Ph.D., who is chief of the Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. He is an internationally acclaimed researcher in cell signaling networks and cancer, topics which will be the focus of his presentation on Friday.
- Charles Stevens , M.D., Ph.D., a world-renowned professor of molecular neurobiology at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego. A National Academy of Sciences member since 1982, he has a particular interest in synaptic vesicles and synaptic transmission. His talk is titled “Darwin and Huxley Revisited: On the Origin of Allometry.”
The symposium will culminate the noon-time dedication of the Molecular Medicine Research Building. Brief remarks will be followed by the chance to tour one of the building’s labs.
Please join us for the symposium, the dedication or both, as we commit the facility to a new era of discovery and ourselves to the pursuit of science that demonstrably improves health and patient care.
Jerome F. Strauss, III, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, VCU School of Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System