HU to Receive $8M to Build Biomedical Research Center

Hampton, VA - The National Institutes of Health has awarded Hampton University an $8 million stimulus grant to construct a Biomedical Research Center (BRC).

The interdisciplinary biomedical research facility will be home to research activities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, biomolecular cancer imagining, medicinal chemistry, Alzheimer’s and other projects from the Hampton University Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Science. Compelling scientific questions will be assailed from multiple fronts in the BRC. This will create a dynamic environment where researchers will look beyond their focused areas to incorporate strategic information from other disciplines as well.

“The Hampton University Biomedical Center illustrates the extraordinary progress Hampton has made in expanding our research agenda,” said HU President Dr. William R. Harvey. “We have made great strides in conducting scientific research and developing technologies that address major health issues which affect our society today.”

The BRC will be an economic resource for the community as well. Professional and technical jobs will be created. The BRC will develop minority scientists and create skilled professionals and a diverse workforce. Also about 400 construction jobs will be created to build this world-class research facility.

One of the projects housed in the BRC will be the existing HU Center for Advanced Medical Instrumentation. Devices developed by this center have been successfully used for breast cancer localization and treatment in clinical trials. Additionally, the cancer imaging technology clustered within the proposed center will be established to utilize this unique research environment. This will serve as a magnet to attract talented researchers, particularly minority researchers, to Hampton University.