UNE dedicates Pickus Center for Biomedical Research

The University of New England has dedicated its first research-exclusive building, the Pickus Center for Biomedical Research, and the Cécile Morgane Research Laboratories at UNE‚Äôs Biddeford campus.

The facility was made possible by the generous support of Owen Pickus, D.O., J.D., and Geraldine Ollila-Pickus, D.O., UNE faculty member Peter Morgane, Ph.D., the Wallace Trust, and numerous other donors. 

In attendance were UNE President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., members of the UNE board of trustees, faculty and staff, numerous guests, as well as Drs. Pickus and Morgane.

The Facility
The Pickus Center for Biomedical Research is a state-of-the-art biomedical research building that will house research teams of UNE faculty and student researchers.  The $6 million, 22,000 sq. ft. structure will enable students to engage in important research as part of their curriculum, build upon the strong base of research that is already occurring at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and create opportunities for collaborative research.  It will also allow for strategic recruitment to develop a critical mass of research faculty at the University. 

The Center includes six laboratories, 12 faculty offices, two conference rooms, a lab tech office suite, and space for a future vivarium.  The building was designed by Einhorn Yaffee and Prescott of Boston and built by Wright Ryan Construction of Portland. 

Maine's 'Innovation Economy'
At the dedication ceremony President Ripich stated, “This building is the foundation for UNE’s strategic imperative of establishing itself firmly as a major contributor to Maine’s ‘innovation economy’ and a research leader in the region.” Both Pickus and Morgane spoke at the ceremony, and each cited the life-changing research that will be conducted at the Center, as well as its numerous benefits to the University, the surrounding community, and the state of Maine.