Description of Request

Submitted By: Michael Babcock, Department Head of Earth Sciences

Assistant Professor Madison Myers is in need of dedicated lab space to support her growing research program. Earth Science faculty members Devon Orme and Andrew Laskowski generously agreed to share their laboratory in Gaines 046 as a temporary solution until the University could find Myers appropriate research space. She has been in her current shared space since 2018. The existing arrangement is becoming untenable as each of these researchers is winning external grants, sponsoring more graduate students, purchasing new equipment, and mentoring students. The University has retained Dr. Myers, and she was recently awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER award.
Gaines 016, located just down the hallway from the current lab space in Gaines 046, houses an autoclave and a culture device and is primarily used as an instructional lab support/lab prep area for the Department of Chemistry Biochemistry. However, upon audit of the space, the fume hood and sink within the room were found to be highly underutilized.
After considering space solutions with the requestor, staff proposes that Devon Orme and Andrew Laskowski relocate into Gaines Hall 016, vacating Gaines 046 and allowing Madison Myers to expand in place and purchase the additional equipment needed to execute her grant. Myers has already invested funds into the lab in Gaines 046, and the conditions are favorable in that space for her to continue to conduct her research. Some equipment in 046 will continue to be shared between the researchers. To accommodate Orme and Laskowski’s research activities in Gaines 016, the following renovations will be made:
• Rotate autoclave
• Build wall (complete with electrical in both spaces) to separate lab from autoclave room
• Build separate entrance into autoclave room
• Sink replacement/reduction in lab
• Purchasing of new lab tables
• Chemical storage cabinetry upgraded
These renovations will be funded in a tri-part plan from the VPREDGE office, College of Letters and Science, and Space Planning.
Dean Idzerda has expressed the ability to support future Chemistry lab support needs with the sharing of other spaces in the building, and Space Planning has begun looking for reuse options or other efficiencies within the building.
This is a high priority matter for researchers within the College of Letters and Science as their faculty continues to establish an independent research programs and work towards tenure and promotion.

 

Resolution

Date: December 3, 2021

Space Management Committee has approved the allocation of Gaines 016 to Devon Orme and Andrew Laskowski, and grants full use of Gaines 046 to Madison Myers.