WHY CHEMISTRY? A Healthier World The need to understand and provide for our basic needs nutritious food, good health care and safe energy, air, water and soil has never been more important. As the world s environment and our interaction with it becomes more complex, the study of chemistry becomes more crucial in shaping our future. As the underpinning science that helps explain everything that surrounds us, chemistry holds the power to find the solutions that will make our world better.
Why Chemistry at the University of Florida? A Heritage of Accomplishment Chemistry is the backbone of every truly great research university, and the University of Florida is no exception. The Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida, one of the best in country, has been pushing the frontiers of science forward since its inception more than a century ago. This leading research department brings in more than $10 million each year in external funding, producing a stream of patents and hatching a succession of startup companies. Some of the innovative research conducted in the Department of Chemistry includes the utilization of small chemical probes inserted into a human cell in order to identify abnormal structures and growth, which is key to understanding drug therapy systems and the pathology of disease. In addition, our researchers have identified pheromones and chemical signals that serve as biological cues to the simple invertebrate C. Elegans. In a controlled environment with reduced food sources, these biochemical signals extend the lifespan of C. Elegans, providing new insight into human aging and diabetes. The program teaches basic chemistry to every engineering and health-sciences student on campus, as well as many other undergraduates. In fact, in 2012 UF s chemistry department ranked second nationally in the number of students who apply to medical school. It also ranks in the top five nationally in undergraduate and PhD degrees awarded. Within Florida, it accounts for 30 percent of all chemistry degrees and more than 60 percent of all PhDs.
The Pressing Need Problems Born of Success The Department of Chemistry is now at a critical juncture. As a result of past success, the program has outgrown obsolete facilities originally built in 1927. Efficiency measures will take us no further. Simply put, existing facilities are unsuitable for 21st century teaching and research. The situation creates far-reaching struggles: It is difficult to hire world-class faculty and advance their work without sufficient modern lab space. Important interdisciplinary research projects cannot be initiated or developed. Undergraduate students must double up in antiquated labs, which operate 14 hours each day. Teaching innovation is constrained due to limited lab space and lack of meeting areas. The Opportunity Build on Strength To remedy this urgent need, considerable discussion and planning have taken place to carefully design a new chemistry and chemical biology building as well as a renovation of existing facilities. The new building will provide approximately 100,000 square feet for state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching laboratories, classrooms, teaching support, graduate research laboratories and offices. As the central home for undergraduate chemistry instruction, it will sit in a prominent location adjacent to the existing chemistry buildings at the corner of University Avenue and Buckman Drive (17th Street). This solution remedies serious problems on the two fundamental fronts:
Teaching Students will move from a model of cramped space and limited time to a model that provides them with laboratory skills worthy of their theoretical knowledge. Improved training will enable students whether headed to medical school, to chemistry graduate studies, to another discipline such as engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, or directly to industry to surpass those of their peers and competitors around the world. New labs will allow each student bench space to get hands-on experience with the latest equipment. Research World-class science requires world-class lab space. The chemical biology building will provide modern, modular laboratory space that can be reconfigured as needed for the large, interdisciplinary collaborations that are increasingly the norm. Chemical biology which uses chemistry to understand the environment, human health, and medicine is one of the top research areas that can lead to enhanced 21st century health care, and includes new theories related to gene expression, signaling and drug synthesis. New labs will give UF the edge it needs to recruit the best scientists and allow them to compete successfully for external funding. Faculty and graduate students working in the areas of chemical biology and chemical synthesis need new facilities to understand how molecules found in nature, such as the anti-cancer agent Taxol, can be used as an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Connective lab space and an open design create a climate of cooperation between different labs. This will power interdisciplinary breakthroughs and help stimulate communication between different fields. New facilities create new opportunities for collaboration, sparking creativity and critical thinking. These are important aspects of our research in green chemistry, which is vitally important to our future.
Why Now? Leveraging Well-timed Support We have a rare, time-sensitive opportunity to fund the new chemistry/chemical biology building. The State of Florida has committed $30 million over two years toward completion of the project. To turn this opportunity into reality, we must raise an additional $30 million in private support. UF President Bernie Machen has indicated that this project is a university-level priority and has put the full weight of his office behind it, with the understanding that the future of the University of Florida depends on a strong sciencebased core, facilities to conduct groundbreaking research, and the very best people dedicated to discovery and learning. President Machen believes that it all begins with chemistry.
In Appreciation Recognizing our Partners Only with the private support of visionary benefactors can the Department of Chemistry contribute to the future of faculty members and thousands of individual students at the University of Florida, and to everyone who will benefit from the discoveries that emerge in our research labs. In appreciation for leadership gifts, we offer several naming opportunities, including the building and its labs. The building will not only create a new campus landmark, but will create a prominent new gateway to campus on the highly visible corner of University Avenue and Buckman Drive. It s Time For Generations to Come Tackling the world s biggest problems from finding medicines that cure disease to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and powering tomorrow s technology requires scientific discovery and advancement. Chemistry is our best hope for solutions that will address those problems and provide for the needs of humankind. The Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida, as it has in the past, will play a major role in those discoveries if we unite in support of these goals during this opportune time. We appreciate your consideration of support and look forward to partnering with you for the benefit of generations to come.