Johnson Center Provides Best Equipment and State-of-the-Art Technology, Transforms Lab Management Program
CHICAGO, IL (September 12, 2014) 鈥� When Chicago鈥檚 萝莉社 conceived the new , they utilized 鈥渂ig-picture鈥� thinking to ensure that the science faculty had strong input in the design process. The faculty worked closely with the architects and the lab planners to make the new facility 鈥渢he very best it could possibly be,鈥� said , professor and chair of the , who served as lead faculty liaison on the project.
From proper ventilation needs, cutting edge audio and visual technology, to ensuring every lab is ADA compliant for wheelchair accessibility, the $45 million building, which is , features more than $850,000 in state-of-the-art science equipment. Laboratories were designed for many disciplines of study including molecular genetics, zoology, microscopy, laser spectroscopy, and anatomy鈥攊ncluding a cadaver lab.
Faculty and staff worked closely with HERA (Health Education and Research Associates) to do an initial assessment of what laboratory and classroom spaces were needed. 鈥淭he Johnson Center for Science and Community Life is a complete experience for students,鈥� said Rienstra-Kiracofe, who has been at 萝莉社 since 2007. 鈥淭he facility is packed with smart classrooms that are truly among the best any school has to offer, with each classroom equipped with HDTVs, interactive TVs, writable screens, lecture capture, and wireless display capabilities.鈥� Indeed, Vernier Technologies, which supplied much of the lab equipment said they know of “only one other university in the nation who has put together labs of this caliber,鈥� according to Rienstra-Kiracofe.
The Johnson Center also offers fully modern laboratory spaces for biology, chemistry, and physics. 鈥淢any of the lab spaces are also equipped with smart classroom AV technology, creating smart labs. The smart lab technology can interface with lab equipment at each student’s bench, creating interactive smart鈥攐r 鈥榮uper-smart鈥欌�攍abs that are unparalleled virtually anywhere in the nation.鈥�
Equipment purchases even included a (NMR) machine which is an analytical chemistry technique used in for determining molecular structure. Often used in graduate study or in industry, having an NMR machine in the classroom is rare for a school of North Park鈥檚 size.
With a strong emphasis on safety, the new equipment and facility has allowed the University to totally transform its lab management program as well, including the creation of a new Chemical Hygiene Officer/Lab Safety Officer (CHO/LSO) position, making North Park鈥檚 science programs safe and environmentally responsible.
As a rule-of-thumb, academic science labs are generally updated every 40 years. 鈥淲e had a 鈥榳ish list鈥� and a vast majority of what we wanted to accomplish was achieved,鈥� Rienstra-Kiracofe said. 鈥淲e paid attention to make sure the space, facility, and infrastructure were built to incorporate changes for the future as well.鈥�
That sentiment was echoed by , the North Park alumnus for whom the building was named, who said, 鈥淥bviously, the knowledge and skill base in the sciences is constantly exploding with new developments. So while the new science building at North Park is currently 鈥榮tate of the art,鈥� the building will have to be constantly updated to meet new challenges in teaching and research. However, the current core science faculty is outstanding and will, I am sure, be up to the task of keeping North Park’s science programs up to date in the years ahead.鈥�
For more information about Dedication Celebration activities for the Johnson Center, September 12 and 13, 2014, including ribbon-cutting, a community open house, and a Medicine & Media Symposium featuring Dr. Johnson, ABC鈥檚 Charles Gibson, and Dr. Joseph Martin, . Both the symposium and ribbon-cutting ceremonies will also be available to watch online at .
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