Plans are in the works for a new, state-of-the-art research building at the Health Sciences Center, which will provide facilities for sponsored health sciences research studies.

“The new facility will include wet-bench laboratories, as well as support spaces for basic and clinical research,” according to University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. in an e-mail he sent to the University community. The project will be done by Cannon Design and Health Education Research Associates (HERA).

Programming for the new research building should take between 10 to 12 weeks, which includes an analysis of the space available, identification of requirements for the facility, development of a master plan and an outline of the proposed design.

According to Biondi, both of the St. Louis-based companies have prior experience in academic research facilities. Cannon Design has recently completed other projects for Saint Louis University, such as the School of Allied Health Building, McDonnell Douglas Hall and the addition to and renovation of the School of Law.

After the programming phase and a general contractor has been selected, construction should begin within the next year, Biondi said.

Dr. Patricia Monteleone, dean of the School of Medicine and chair of the Research Building Planning Committee, said the architects will have to look at all the possible sites and then determine which site is best. She also said there are many quarries in the area, so they will have to drill first.

Monteleone said the committee assessed what kinds of research are necessary, in anticipation of what the school may need in the future. “We have identified focused areas of research, but we’re open to others,” she said. “This is really exciting. This will provide the necessary first-class facility for new research grants, as well as a faculty resource.” The new facility will also allow research to be done more efficiently.

“This will raise us up many steps in our national rankings, probably a whole tier,” Monteleone said. “It will also help us in recruiting new faculty.”

According to Biondi, the facility will help in the quest to make SLU the finest Catholic university in the nation. It will allow expansion of current research efforts and increase SLU’s chances of receiving vital external funding.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our faculty and the entire University,” Monteleone said. “Not only will it improve our excellence, but it will avail us to the research resources out there.”