256,000-square-foot building will be hub of 'high-risk, high-reward' research
Monday, October 13, 2014
Written by: Richard C. Lewis

The University of Iowa will hold a dedication ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 15, for the $126 million John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, which will house “high-risk, high-reward” research in diabetes, deafness and brain science as well as complex diseases affecting the heart and lungs.

John Pappajohn, a venture capitalist and philanthropist from Des Moines and his wife, Mary, committed $26.4 million in 2009 for construction of the 256,000-square-foot building, a hub of biomedical research on the UI campus.

“We are inspired by the institute's collaborative, interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial and university-wide dimensions,” John Pappajohn says. “Those who stand to gain the most from this world-class research enterprise will be generations of patients nationwide and around the world."

WHAT:

Dedication ceremony for the $126 million Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, which will house “high-risk, high-reward” research in diabetes, deafness and brain science as well as complex diseases affecting the heart and lungs.

The 256,000-square-foot building will host six centers and programs — all aimed at improving understanding of the fundamentals of biology and disease and extending discoveries into real-life applications that improve human health. The research areas include:

  • The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
  • Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center
  • Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging
  • University of Iowa Neurosciences Institute
  • University of Iowa Auditory Research Program
  • University of Iowa Lung Biology Center

More information in this fact sheet

WHO:

UI President Sally Mason
John and Mary Pappajohn
Jean Robillard, UI vice president for medical affairs
Dan Reed, UI vice president for research and economic development
Michael Welsh, director of the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute

WHEN:

Media tour of building at 3:15 p.m.
Dedication program at 4 p.m.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:45 p.m.
Public reception and tours at 5 p.m.

WHERE:

In the Prem Sahai Auditorium of the Medical Education Research Facility
375 Newton Rd., UI campus, Iowa City
See campus map

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact Cindy Ballard in advance at 319-384-2859 or by email at cindy-ballard@uiowa.edu.