Engineering wing reflects rapid rise of department
Chris Yu
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
A new wing at the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building was officially unveiled Friday to accommodate the rapidly expanding school of bioengineering, which Provost Nariman Farvardin called "probably the fastest-rising department in all of the University of Maryland."
The new structure, which took one year and $7.6 million to build, is located on the Kim building's second floor. The interior of the 7,400-square-foot wing is predominately white and features a large lab capable of supporting physics, chemistry and biology experiments, said Bruce Yu, an associate professor of bioengineering who is moving into the new space.
"We [now] have a home," Yu said. "Once you have a home to conduct research, you can generate results."
Yu, who is studying how to make existing medicines more potent with fewer side effects, said the new wing will be more than just a place to work.
"It's going to boost our morale," he said.
Yu added that the bioengineering department is not the only one that will benefit the new wing. The entire engineering school will enjoy a better reputation and, therefore, a better chance of receiving grant money.
"Generally, working at a new space gives a good impression for students and visitors," said Yu "Tim" Chen, a bioengineering assistant professor who is moving into the wing. "It will be a boost for the growth of the department."
Professors are not the only ones who are looking forward to working at the new wing. Students will complete research there as well, working with professors to develop medical technology. According to the engineering school website, the new space will eventually house 30 students.
Bobak Shirmohammadi, a junior bioengineering major, is one of the students who has already started working in the new wing. Before he moved in, he did his research at the bioengineering labs in the Animal Sciences Building. He said the new wing offers more space for new technology than his previous lab did.
The new structure, which took one year and $7.6 million to build, is located on the Kim building's second floor. The interior of the 7,400-square-foot wing is predominately white and features a large lab capable of supporting physics, chemistry and biology experiments, said Bruce Yu, an associate professor of bioengineering who is moving into the new space.
"We [now] have a home," Yu said. "Once you have a home to conduct research, you can generate results."
Yu, who is studying how to make existing medicines more potent with fewer side effects, said the new wing will be more than just a place to work.
"It's going to boost our morale," he said.
Yu added that the bioengineering department is not the only one that will benefit the new wing. The entire engineering school will enjoy a better reputation and, therefore, a better chance of receiving grant money.
"Generally, working at a new space gives a good impression for students and visitors," said Yu "Tim" Chen, a bioengineering assistant professor who is moving into the wing. "It will be a boost for the growth of the department."
Professors are not the only ones who are looking forward to working at the new wing. Students will complete research there as well, working with professors to develop medical technology. According to the engineering school website, the new space will eventually house 30 students.
Bobak Shirmohammadi, a junior bioengineering major, is one of the students who has already started working in the new wing. Before he moved in, he did his research at the bioengineering labs in the Animal Sciences Building. He said the new wing offers more space for new technology than his previous lab did.
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