FAU marine center opens

FAU marine center opens
By CHARLIE REED charlie.reed@scripps.com November 13, 2006
NORTH ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Priscilla Winder is trying to find the cure for cancer under water.
The Florida Atlantic University student is doing research for her doctorate in ocean engineering at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, specializing in drug development.
"We're basically looking for pharmacological drugs from marine organisms," said Winder, 28, a native of New Jersey who came to FAU 10 years ago to study marine biology and chemistry. She now works with the same Harbor Branch scientists she first met as an undergraduate.
In 2001, Winder was among the first group of students to attend the Semester by the Sea program, accredited by FAU, but taught at Harbor Branch's sprawling campus along a deep-water channel in the Indian River Lagoon.
"You're completely immersed in everything marine," said Winder. "It inspired me and helped me figure out what I wanted to do."
The program — which takes students into the water with top scientists at the nonprofit for field research — formalized years of partnership between FAU and Harbor Branch.
Today, the affiliation deepens with the opening of an $11 million marine science center, owned by FAU and located just outside the main gates of Harbor Branch.
The taxpayer-funded project brings 40,000 square feet of laboratory and office space for eight faculty members from each institution and up to 48 doctoral students, some pursuing degrees with FAU, others with Harbor Branch.
As it grows, the public-private alliance is expected to score more funds from the state Legislature and prestigious and well-heeled organizations such as the National Science Foundation.
The Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies has plans to temporarily set up shop at the new building next year. The nonprofit biotech committed earlier this year to build a permanent campus in Tradition, a planned community in St. Lucie West, after the state promised the La Jolla, Calif.-based group millions in financial incentives.
FAU won't profit from lending Torrey Pines space. But university officials are counting on the physical connection to spur collaboration, such as the one FAU developed with Scripps Research Institute. Also based in La Jolla, Scripps is building permanent offices and labs at FAU's Jupiter campus.
"We expect to have significant interaction with Torrey Pines just like we're developing with Scripps," said Larry Lemanski, vice president for research at FAU.
But the new marine science building is more than temporary digs for Torrey Pines. It will allow Treasure Coast scientists to continue marine- related drug research that began in 2003 with a $10 million state grant.
The growing public investment at Harbor Branch could help local leaders justify pumping more money into the cash-strapped research outfit to prevent commercial and residential developers from chipping away at the 500 acres of pristine riverfront property. Partnerships are key to Harbor Branch flourishing in the future, said Dennis Hanisak, director of Marine Science.
"The benefactors are the students," he said.
In the case of Winder, the Ph.D. candidate combing the ocean for the cure for cancer, society also benefits if her research leads to a medical breakthrough.
"I'm so happy because I get to do what I love and try and help people at the same time," Winder said.
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