Dr. Craig B. Wood, professor of natural science in biology 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.

After more than six months of construction, the $4.2 million Hickey Hall sciences research laboratories renovation is nearing completion, with work scheduled to be finished in late February.

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 Science. 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.

While the renovations will be completed shortly, faculty and students will begin using the labs on a scattered basis.

“The moving-in process will be determined by the research and experiments presently going on in other facilities on campus,” said Mark F. Rapoza, assistant vice president for capital projects and facilities planning, who is overseeing the renovations. “Since much of the equipment that is presently in use is to be relocated into the new space, it is imperative that experiments are not adversely affected by the move.” 

“As good as any facility”
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. He added that he was recently told by a candidate for a faculty position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry that the new laboratories were the finest he had seen at a liberal arts college.

“For me, the significance of the statement, in the context of an interview, was the fact that high-caliber faculty who might otherwise be looking at research universities for a place to do their work are considering a liberal arts setting like Providence College,” said Lena. 

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.”

He continued, “The labs are modern—they ‘look’ like bio research labs—and are spacious. More than that, they will give us a space around which to build a community of young scientists and a culture that emphasizes the adventure of science, the frustration of failed experiments, and the wonder of discovery.”

All of the new labs were built after input from each faculty member, said Dr. Sheila M. Adamus, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
 
Looking long-range
Rapoza said the scientists in Hickey Hall “have been patiently waiting” for this renovation. He said Hickey initially needed a new roof and other infrastructure upgrades, but “moving forward with the upgrades without looking at the long-range needs of the departments would not have been prudent.”

In addition to a roof that complements new science equipment, Rapoza added that a new state-of-the-art fire alarm system, new electrical systems, new windows, plumbing, flooring, and a cold storage room to house scientific experiments have been installed in the building.

“Going from the plans to finally seeing it almost done is very exciting,” said Dr. Charles R. Toth, associate professor of biology. “The most gratifying thing is seeing the students get so pumped up about it.”