As summer comes to a close and NC State’s fall 2021 semester begins, we have reached an exciting phase of construction for the NC State University Plant Sciences Building. It is now more than 83% complete. At practically every level, even from above, this future headquarters of the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative is well on its way to completion.
The building’s inside is becoming much more defined as the construction team begins installing flooring and colorful design elements that were only previously seen through architectural videos and images. We’re also turning our attention to the landscaping outside. It won’t be long before people will say, “the NC State Plant Sciences Building is beautiful inside and out.”
Administrative and operational activities are also taking shape. Our core lab directors are busy taking steps to prepare their facilities for grand opening, which is still on schedule for early 2022.
We are also starting to finalize the work spaces for some of the building’s renowned research occupants, and we’re connecting with several external stakeholders to discuss their needs for our collaborative lab spaces.
We invite our external stakeholders to lease some of the 5,025 square feet set aside for partners to join in our mission. A Plant Sciences Building location gives these partners access to our interdisciplinary, project-based teams of leading researchers – including their workforce of tomorrow: our students. A space in the building provides an excellent opportunity to work side-by-side with cutting edge scientists working on the many global challenges and emerging issues in plant science and agriculture. Contact Deborah Thompson, director of research partnerships, at dmt@ncsu.edu or 919.515.9720 to learn more.
We are getting closer to the end of our search for the N.C. PSI’s executive director, who will build new partnerships and provide the strategic leadership that will keep the NC Plant Sciences Initiative on its trajectory to become one of the world’s premier research institutions.
Finally, we are making great strides in our fundraising efforts, and we continue to seek philanthropic support with opportunities left for dedicating spaces on behalf of yourself, your family, or organization. Contact Dinah Schuster, our senior director of development, at daschust@ncsu.edu to discuss naming a space in this building.
As we head toward this building’s completion, we’re gearing up for a new beginning, one where we have the tools, equipment, and infrastructure in place to help us fully realize our vision: to be the world’s premier plant sciences enterprise, where we accelerate the discovery, talent, and solutions that solve the world’s biggest agricultural challenges through interdisciplinary, team-based science.
As always, stay safe.
Steve Lommel
Associate Dean for Research
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