New FSU Research Center To Focus On Research Collaboration And Monetization

WFSU | By Tom Flanigan

Published August 2, 2021 at 4:24 PM EDT

As one of his final official duties as Florida State University President, John Thrasher helped with the research facility's groundbreaking.

A new building will soon rise at the corner of Tallahassee's Levy Avenue and Engineering Way, just yards away from the Aero-Propulsion, Mechatronics and Energy Building. The facility will house a variety of scientists, engineers and researchers.

Florida State University Interim Vice President of Research Laurel Fullerson presided over Monday's groundbreaking for the new Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building.

"It will consist of 3 floors of mostly open-bay labs, sized for up to 30 research groups, 25 post-docs and 125 graduate and undergraduate student researchers," she said.

Outgoing FSU President John Thrasher said the facility was a long-time dream for Fullerson's predecessor, Gary Ostrander.

"Without him and nurturing this president along the way as to the importance of the kind of building we're getting ready to break ground on, it wouldn't happen."

A major goal for the entire project is to turn more of the university's raw research into commercially viable products and processes.