This effort is a campuswide initiative and will involve many of UAH's colleges and research centers. Principal scientist in the laboratory will be Dr. Ed Meehan, an associate professor of chemistry. We hope to make significant contributions to both basic and applied biological research, including the development of new pharmaceuticals. Harwell and Provost Sam McManus will take the lead in seeking off-campus partners to make the biotechnology thrust a success for UAH and for Alabama, Franz said. We're not there yet, but I can see it for the first time since I started this business in 1987.
Critical mass is maybe two or three years away.
This holds great promise for our future. Special equipment for the laboratory is expected to arrive on the UAH campus in November. The laboratory should be operating around the start of 1998.