This Academic Research Facilities Modernization Program (ARFMP) award from the Research Facilities Office provides funds to the Marine Biological Laboratory for the renovation and repair of Lillie Research Laboratory which contains year-round and summer, nonclinical, independent research laboratories that house research and research training activities in cellular, developmental, molecular and neurobiological sciences as well as in marine ecology. This building was constructed in several phases beginning in 1913 and last renovated in 1958. The ARFMP grant of $575,000 and $726,600 provided by the grantee as cost sharing will be used to modernize these research and research training facilities. This project will address the need to improve the current research infrastructure both in terms of health and safety and of reduced risk of loss of research data and frozen samples. The renovation will provide adequate environmental control in a deleterious marine climate and an emergency electrical power system, along with an upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; and all asbestos will be removed from the building. This award contributes to the infrastructure of science by providing an improved environment for the conduct of research and for the training of pre-college students and teachers as well as graduate students. Because of the international and national position of the Marine Biological Laboratory, the wider research community will also benefit from this modernization.
