The University of Oregon has completed construction of a new research and collaboration facility connected to its Eugene campus with a focus on health.
Opb.org reports that the university's new science and research campus has opened four years after one of the largest donations ever to a public university—a $500 million gift from Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny.
The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact “marks a transformational moment in our university’s 144-year history,” University of Oregon President Michael Schill says.
At the Knight Campus, students will have access to nine faculty-led labs, according to the university, with a focus on medical research, specifically medical sensors and devices, musculoskeletal regeneration and neural engineering.
The Knight Campus — a 160,000-square-foot facility connected to the university's existing science facilities via a sky bridge — is designed to “dramatically reduce the time it takes for discoveries to enter the market” as it combines labs, classrooms, an “innovation center” and core facilities all under one roof, the university says.
Because the opening of the Knight Campus is taking place during the coronavirus pandemic, the university is keeping labs at 50% capacity to abide by public health restrictions.
The architects are Ennead Architects and Bora Architecture & Interiors.
VIDEO: Virtual Grand Opening of the Knight Center (YouTube):
