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New biotech center: moving into the future

Congressman James Clyburn, left, presents Â鶹´«Ã½ University President Dr. Dwaun Warmack, right, in August 2023 with a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for $17.4 million to support the construction of a new science and technology center. (Larry Hardy, Times and Democrat)

The School of Natural Science and Mathematics anticipates progression into a “new era” with upcoming construction of a new biotechnology building.

The building is to be located on Magnolia Street next to the student center. Though construction is only in the design stage, the university anticipates promising developments.

“It is taking us to a new era, a new place for Â鶹´«Ã½ in that we are looking at not only what's happening now, but what's going to come to guide us into the future,” said Dr. Verlie Tisdale, vice provost for academic programs and acting dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The building will host labs relating to biotechnology, computer science, cybersecurity and related fields. As opposed to the “wet labs” located in the James S. Thomas Science Center and Molecular Science Research Center, the labs in the new building will be completely “dry” with a computer-oriented focus.

In this space, there will be access to many technological resources such as robotics labs, parallel computers and machine learning frameworks. Faculty and students will use these tools to approach biological research through informatics, data analysis and technology.

“I just think it's the way of the future, because it allows students an opportunity to see how their work and how their background can fit into addressing some of the world's issues,” said Dr. Gloria McCutcheon, dean of the Department of Biology.

Tisdale echoed these sentiments and emphasized that research in biotechnology will span to address a variety of scientific issues, including climate change, health sciences, food and agricultural fields.

“Traditionally, we’ve (Â鶹´«Ã½) been known for teaching,” Tisdale said. “This will take us towards being known for the research we do here at Â鶹´«Ã½.”

The building will offer new learning techniques and research methods for students in biotechnology and adjacent fields to explore, ultimately encouraging increased collaboration.

“I know that our students are excited about learning different techniques and I think this is just a great opportunity for them to be further exposed and to prepare to go out into the world and to make contributions in science as we move forward,” McCutcheon said.

These developments will also engage the broader Orangeburg community.

McCutcheon shared her hope that the new building will “add to a rural community, showing that we are also making great contributions to science in these areas.”

In May, the university will graduate the inaugural class of the online master-of-science-in-biotechnology program. A significant portion of the students are based in various African countries, adding to Â鶹´«Ã½’s global community.

The online program has a focus on biotechnology as an approach to climate change and environmental issues. The department hopes to virtually engage with online biotechnology students in the new building.

In addition to this program, the university offers a standard bachelor of science and a master of science in biotechnology.