Editor's note: The Iowa Board of Regents approved an updated permission to proceed on this project at its September meeting.

The University of Iowa is beginning to plan for the construction of a new cancer-focused research building on the west side of campus that will provide the ability to perform state-of-the-art cancer-themed research and enhance existing collaborations among the UI’s health sciences colleges and programs.

“Iowa has one of the fastest-growing rates of new cancers in the country,” says Denise Jamieson, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Carver College of Medicine.

“This project will allow UI Health Care to remain competitive in both recruitment and retention of world-class faculty, staff, and trainees.” 

Clinical cancer care at UI Health Care is supported at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated center since 2000. The NCI designation recognizes the center and its research scientists, physicians, and other health care professionals for their roles in advancing cancer research, in turn affecting UI Health Care’s ability to prevent and detect cancer, and treat cancer patients.

Cancer services and support are now performed in various buildings between UI Health Care and the Carver College of Medicine. Current cancer-related research space is fully occupied with no additional space to expand or recruit new faculty into the program.

“This project reflects the deep commitment of the university in supporting the needs of our state through education and research,” says Barbara Wilson, president of the University of Iowa. “Building new labs that support our faculty, staff, and trainees will move forward research that will impact the lives of Iowans.”  

An official cancer center designation by the NCI is the highest federal rating a cancer center can achieve. NCI-designated cancer centers are recognized for scientific leadership and clinical research, in addition to serving their communities by integrating training and education.

The university is requesting Iowa Board of Regents’ approval on an updated permission to proceed with planning for the facility at the board’s meeting Sept. 18—19 in Ames.

Two locations on the west side of campus are being considered for the new project: the Medical Education Building site and the Westlawn site, both previously identified in the 10-year master plan.

A formal space analysis for the research building will take place over the next few months.