 |
PAGE 1 OF 1
INSTITUTE NEWS:
HHMI Donates $1 Million for Flood Relief
Floodwaters swept across the Midwest this summer, leaving Iowa drenched. While the biomedical research facilities at the University of Iowa escaped the worst of the water damage seen elsewhere, researchers there were still hard-hit by the shutting down of the university power plant, which provides the steam necessary for hot water, autoclaves, and temperature control in labs.
To help the biomedical research community recover from the effects of the flood, HHMI donated $1 million to the University of Iowa and the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.
“Given the magnitude of the flood and its devastating effect on the UI campus, we needed to participate in the recovery,” says HHMI President Thomas Cech.
The contribution allows temporary heating and cooling systems to be installed at the medical school campus so that scientists—including HHMI investigators Kevin Campbell, Val Sheffield, Edwin Stone, and Michael Welsh—can continue their research.
Campbell, the head of molecular physiology and biophysics at UI, originally alerted HHMI to the severe consequences of the flooding. University officials then kept HHMI updated on the effects of the flooding and the recovery process.
“We are extremely grateful to HHMI for this generous contribution,” says Paul Rothman, dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “The speed at which HHMI responded to our request for help speaks volumes to the Institute's commitment to sustaining and fostering biomedical research across the nation.”
The total flood damage at the university is estimated at $231 million, and it's unknown how much of the damage will be covered by insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Donations from other organizations and individuals—totaling more than $767,000 as of the end of August—have been given to students, faculty, and staff who lost their homes or possessions in the flood. 
|
|
|
