Amid protests over Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ appearance, Michigan State University cut the ribbon Wednesday on its Grand Rapids Medical Research Center, an $88 million building where researchers will work on cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
University President Lou Anna Simon said the building will house researchers and students dedicated to “pushing the frontiers of knowledge” and improving “the quality of life by using the best technology, best science and best connections.”
“To have that be right here with the best health providers was just too good to be true,” Simon said, in reference to the building’s location on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile.
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting drew numerous community leaders and elected officials, as well as DeVos, whose appearance was protested by about two dozen people who said they oppose her stance on school choice and what they described as efforts to “defund” public schools
The building includes research program spaces and five core labs that will support MSU College of Human Medicine scientists, as well as researchers from Michigan State University’s community partners. In November, MSU research teams will move from their leased laboratories at Van Andel Institute into the new research center. Build-out for up to 33 research teams is complete, and future capacity will allow for up to 44 research teams and a total of 260 employees. Areas of scientific study are anticipated to include neuroscience, women’s and children’s health, and cancer.
For the full article, see Brian McVicar, “Betsy DeVos helps open MSU research building amid protests“, MLive, September 20, 2017.