IBio faculty deliver status report of facility

IBio has begun to transition into a fully functional facility since the grand opening of the new integrative biological science center on Oct. 14.

Located at 6135 Woodward Avenue near the TechTown building, iBio is 200,000 square-feet and a $90 million building.

“As the first of its kind on Wayne’s campus, it brings together researchers from multiple disciplines to solve big problems. Our main focus is to promote health equity and limit health disparity in our community,” said Dr. Phillip Levy, associate director of clinical research and professor of emergency medicine.

As director of the IBio clinical research center, Levy said he would like to see students become further involved in patient research. He said he enjoys the greater capabilities facilitated by the expansive center and the integration of researchers.

Levy said his work is currently focused on high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and risk factor modification.

iBio faculty work within the following sects: behavioral health, clinical research, metabolic disease, biology & systems engineering, and the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors.

Dr. Samson Jamesdaniel, an assistant professor for the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is currently studying redox sensitive molecular mechanisms. He said his investigations hope to better understand genetic and environmental factors that affect hearing-impaired Detroit firefighters, in particular.

“The open floor concept of the IBio laboratories fosters enhanced collaboration with other investigators. It provides instant access to several state-of-the-art equipment that was not readily available in my previous laboratory setting,” said Jamesdaniel.

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Liyang Zang said he feels lucky to work in the new building, as he focuses his research on asthma prevention and care.

“Every morning when I step in the building I feel fresh and happy,” said Zang, “I love this new working place. It is an improvement upon my previous one and my work has been doing well since the iBio grand opening.”

Dr. Colleen Buggs-Saxton, assistant professor of pediatrics, has utilized her IBio laboratory to explore neuroendocrine and fat tissue in regards to blood glucose. She is also investigating the use of a new medication for adolescent patients with Type 2 diabetes.

“Having grown up in Detroit, it is indeed very exciting to return to Detroit during this transition period. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute to the iBio mission and vision which directly impacts care that I provide to the community as a pediatric endocrinologist,” said Buggs-Saxton.

Buggs-Saxton said the faculty has been inspired by their new location to continue their research with a new burst of energy and excitement.

“The workspace at iBio is definitely the nicest that I have had the opportunity to occupy,” said Dr. Thomas Kocarek, associate professor of the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and member of the CURES Center.

“The office and lab areas are modern and open. One interesting feature is the extensive use of glass, both on the exterior of the building and the walls of the offices.”

Kocarek’s ultimate goal is to help translate the knowledge developed through the research at IBio into actions that will improve the health of the citizens of Detroit.

Fariba Rana, a freshman majoring in pre-med track, shared her thoughts about the new facility and said the new building will bring positive attention to the university.

“One of the reasons that I chose WSU as my undergraduate school is because of its research reputation, so I think that this will elevate said reputation and encourage more people to come here,” said Rana.

For more information, contact reporter Aleanna Siacon: fv7748@wayne.edu or (586) 354-5040. Follow her on Twitter @Aterese11.

http://www.thesouthend.wayne.edu/news/article_08a54aaa-858c-11e5-8a4b-bbde8fd62248.html