College of Medicine

An ordinarily quiet corner of the College of Medicine’s Research Building was teeming with science-minded sightseers Aug. 25 for the open house of the Translational Science Laboratory.

As many as 150 visitors, many from the other science centers at Florida State, came to see this new collection of cutting-edge research equipment all housed in one space.

“We were joined by colleagues from across campus who have research interests that will be complemented by the new lab,” said Myra Hurt, senior associate dean for research and graduate programs. “A lot of research energy was generated.”

Hurt conducted some of the tours herself, as did lab director Roger Mercer and several others. One of the first visitors in line was retired state Sen. Durell Peaden, who was instrumental in the legislative effort to create the College of Medicine in 2000. Also among those touring the lab were Tom Jennings, FSU vice president for university advancement; Ross Ellington, FSU associate vice president for research; Janet Kistner, chair of the FSU Department of Psychology; Rick Hyson, director of Psychology’s Neuroscience Program; Bryant Chase, chair of the FSU Department of Biological Science; Andy Jhanji, executive vice president of the FSU Foundation; John Fogarty, dean of the College of Medicine; four College of Medicine department heads, Janine Edwards (Medical Humanities and Social Sciences), Ric Gonzalez-Rothi (Clinical Sciences), Richard Nowakowski (Biomedical Sciences) and Daniel Van Durme (Family Medicine and Rural Health); and numerous faculty members, staff members and students.

“Our hope is that the lab will help build interdisciplinary research in the college, across the university and elsewhere,” Hurt said. “There are exciting research opportunities ahead for all of us.”