Gill The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia is one of the oldest natural history museums in the U.S., and it has a long tradition of research in biology and environmental science. This long tradition brings with it an aging facility, and several additions to the building have been constructed over the years to provide new space for research, education, and public exhibits. The Academy has recently constructed new space in what was an interior courtyard. Several new research techniques in molecular biology have the potential to make significant contributions to the Academy s research programs, but the lack of suitable facilities has been an obstacle to using these techniques. The Academy plans to dedicate a portion of the newly constructed addition to research laboratories with these capabilities. Space modifications will create ideal environments for the sensitive instruments used in molecular biology and DNA sequencing. The renovation will also provide: controlled environment growth chambers for microbial cultures and for ecological experiments; safe storage areas that are in compliance with fire codes for alcohol-preserved specimens; adequate ventilation and fume hoods; and capabilities for safe storage, use, and disposal of hazardous research materials. This renovation project will solve a variety of safety issues, and will enable researchers at the Academy to broaden their research programs through the addition of new laboratory techniques. Irreplaceable specimens in the reference collections will have safer storage facilities, and sensitive research instruments will be given suitable settings. The overall research and education productivity of the institution will increase as a result of this renovation. The Department of Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, is recognized as one of the nation's leaders in Biosystems Engineering research, the application of engineering principles to biological systems. While agriculture remains an integral aspect of the research program, Biosystems includes environmental, natural resources and biological applications. To reflect this broader scope, the Department will be renamed Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. In addition to the programmatic changes, the facilities housing ongoing research activities will be renovated and replaced to complement the new priorities of the Department as it completes its transformation to Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Existing facilities were built in an era when agricultural mechanization research primarily involved the construction of heavy mechanisms and soil and water research. These facilities are inadequate to perform Biosystems research that requires high quality labs with special provisions. This award will provide funding for the modernization of laboratory space that will allow for the proper support of programs in machine vision, sensors and controls, intelligent machines and bioenvironmental engineering. The relocation of the shop facility to the main campus will be adjoined to the research laboratory, providing more effective and efficient shop services for faculty. Specific renovations will include upgrading the HVAC, electrical, and mechanical systems. The modernization of the research facilities at Oklahoma State University will have maximum impact on the human resources needed for the nation's continued leadership in science and engineering into the twenty-first century.
