Facilities Modernization for Biology and Neuroscience Research and Research Training

翻新和更换大约20,000平方英尺的生物、神经科学和心理学实验室空间是授予阿默斯特学院的NSF奖的目标。现有的实验室位于139年期。老阿普尔顿和83岁。老韦伯斯特音乐厅。这些建筑在20世纪60年代进行了部分翻修，但仍然存在陈旧和低效的暖通空调、管道和电力系统。正在进行的设施问题包括现代科学的局限性，中断和挫折实验的周期性系统危机，以及由于学科分离而造成的方案限制。NSF资金将用于翻新韦伯斯特大厅的一楼，用于与心理学系相关的干燥实验室活动，并用于更换美林科学中心以外的神经科学和生物学潮湿实验室设施。随之而来的对研究设施的改进将促进跨学科的联系(生物、化学、心理学和神经科学)，这将是下一个半个世纪科学研究和教学的特征。升级后的设施也将成为Amherst成功吸引大量本科生--其中40%是女性，25%是有色人种学生--参与研究活动的重要重点。Amherst获得的研究重点激励了超过一半的优秀学生攻读博士课程，或将研究作为医学院教育的重要组成部分的医学博士课程。

Renovation and replacement of approximately 20,000 square feet of biology, neuroscience and psychology laboratory space is the goal of this NSF award to Amherst College. Existing laboratories are housed in the 139-yr. old Appleton and 83-yr. old Webster Halls. Partially renovated in the 1960s, these buildings still suffer from outdated and ineffective HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Ongoing facility issues include the limitation of modern science, periodic systems crises which interrupt and setback experimentation, and programmatic limitations due to the separation of disciplines. NSF funds will be utilized to renovate the first floor of Webster Hall for dry laboratory activities associated with the Psychology department, and for the replacement of wet laboratory facilities for Neuroscience and Biology in an addition to Merrill Science Center. The resulting enhancement to research facilities will advance the interdisciplinary connections (biology, chemistry, psychology, and neuroscience) that will characterize science research and teaching during the next half-century. The upgraded facilities will also form an important focus for Amherst's successful efforts to involve a high number of their undergraduates -- 40% of whom are women and 25% of whom are students of color -- in research activity The research emphasis gained at Amherst has motivated more than half of their honors students to pursue Ph.D. programs, or M.D. programs with research as a substantial component of their medical school education.