Northwoods University's presence in the Milwaukee area was greatly enhanced with the dedication of The John Williams Medical Research Center.
Nearly 300 guests attended the dedication of the $3.6 million research center, including elected officials, lawmakers, administrators and staff, members of the Williams family and members of the medical community.
The John Williams Medical Research Center is named in honor of the late businessman John R. Williams. “We very much appreciate the extraordinary support of Mary Williams and alum Joan Smith's generous gift,” said President Jenkins. “Their leadership and vision have made possible this important step in Northwoods' research efforts.”
The facility at the southwest corner of Avon Drive and Fairfield Court is designed to allow basic and clinical researchers to collaborate across disciplines, creating the potential for innovative solutions to scientific challenges. According to Professor John Piechowski, “The John Williams Medical Research Center will provide researchers with exceptional resources to build upon their past work and lead to innovations. We will expand our internships, allowing students interested in the medical field an unrivaled opportunity to participate on research teams."
Space in the 5-story John Williams Medical Research Center will be devoted to research on cancer, neurological diseases, infectious diseases, and genetics.
Each floor of the 100,000 net square-foot building contains 6 laboratories, each with space for a principal researcher and five assistants. When completed, the building will house approximately 500 researchers, technicians, post-doctoral students, lab assistants and staff. The education space on the first floor of the center will serve first-year medical students. The first floor of the building has 255-seat and 110-seat auditoriums, 75-seat and 45-seat seminar rooms, a food court with seating for 120 people, a lobby and lounge space.
Tours of the facility will be offered during the next Northwoods University open house.