Renovation of the Chemistry and Biology Facilities in the Merkert-Tracy Science Center

位于马萨诸塞州的私立本科院校斯通希尔学院和国家科学基金会将建立合作伙伴关系，翻新默克特-特雷西科学中心的研究空间。这座建筑建于48年前，是生物系和化学系的所在地，目前不适合支持教职员工和学生在这些科学领域进行的研究工作。教员必须将实验和材料重新安置到不同的房间，这会对研究和研究培训活动产生负面影响。现有实验室配置不良，供暖和通风系统陈旧，不符合美国食品药品监督管理局的规定。翻修将包括重新配置空间，升级暖通空调系统，以及安装橱柜和通风柜。通过重新设计实验室来支持研究，教职员工将能够提高涉及生物学和有机化学、分析化学、分子生物学、环境生物学和种群遗传学的研究的质量和数量。拥有适当配置的实验室，并有适当的气候控制和通信线路，将在一个支持积极、研究性学习的环境中创建一个自然科学社区。改善生物和化学方面的研究和培训计划对于斯通希尔加强科学的计划的成功至关重要。

Stonehill College, a private undergraduate institution located in Massachusetts, and the National Science Foundation will establish a partnership to renovate research space in the Merkert-Tracy Science Center. Constructed 48 years ago, the building is home to the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and is currently unsuitable to support research efforts pursued by faculty and students in these areas of science. Faculty must relocate experiments and materials to different rooms that impacts negatively on research and research training activities. Existing laboratories are ill-configured, have outdated heating and ventilation systems, and are not compliant with ADA regulations. Renovations will consist of reconfiguring space, upgrading the HVAC system, and installing casework and fume hoods. With redesigned laboratories to support research, faculty will be able to enhance the quality and quantity of research involving the interface of biology and organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, environmental biology and population genetics. Having properly configured laboratories, with adequate climate control and communication lines, will create a natural science community in an environment that is supportive of active, investigative learning. Improving research and training programs in Biology and Chemistry is critical to the success of Stonehill's plan to strengthen the sciences.