Dr. Craig B. Wood, professor and chair of the Department of Biology, left, and Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., assistant professor of biology, stand next to a fume hood in one of the new biology labs in Hickey Hall.

The biggest difference between the refurbished building and its predecessor is the sheer amount of space available for scientific research, which will benefit the departments of biology, engineering-physics-systems, and chemistry and biochemistry.

Prior to the renovation, half of the 10,400-square-foot building was designated for research labs, while the other half was first-floor office space for the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences. That department has since moved to Howley Hall.

Now, the first floor consists of gleaming biology labs and one laser lab for the Department of Engineering-Physics-Systems. The second floor of the refurbished hall is comprised of spacious physics and chemistry labs. All of the new labs were built with input from faculty members in all three departments.

Dr. Hugh F. Lena, vice president for academic affairs, said the renovation project, along with several other initiatives at the College, represents a commitment to support faculty-student collaborative research.

Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., assistant professor of biology, wholeheartedly agreed with Lena that the labs highlight the College’s awareness of and commitment to undergraduate research in the sciences.

Noting that the new labs measure favorably to those at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received his Ph.D. in biology, Father Austriaco said, “Our faculty and students know they’ll be working in a brand new facility that is as good as any research facility anywhere.”