Gov. Bush to speak at research complex grand opening

November 9, 2006

WHAT: The official opening ceremony to mark the completion of an $84 million multidisciplinary, biomedical facility to foster research in cancer and genetics at the University of Florida. The largest research building at UF, it houses research components of the UF Shands Cancer Center, the UF Genetics Institute, the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research and the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory.
Speaking at the ceremony will be:

  • Jeb Bush, governor of Florida
  • Winfred Phillips, UF vice president for research
  • Dr. Douglas Barrett, UF senior vice president for health affairs
  • Dr. W. Stratford May, director of the UF Shands Cancer Center
  • Robert Ferl, director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research
  • Dr. Kenneth Berns, director of the UF Genetics Institute

WHERE: Atrium of the UF Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, Mowry Road and Gale Lemerand Drive, UF’s Gainesville campus. Follow signs for parking.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15

CONTACT: Media representatives are encouraged to call in advance. For more information, call John Pastor at Health Science Center News & Communications at 352-273-5815 or e-mail jdpastor@ufl.edu.

NOTES: The ceremony is one of three important events Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Alachua County related to Florida’s growing biotechnology sector. BioFlorida, Florida’s independent statewide bioscience organization, will end its ninth annual conference at 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. At 4 p.m. in Alachua, UF will dedicate the Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology, which promotes biotechnology research, biopharmaceutical manufacturing and workforce education.