The Health Science Research Building II (HSRB-II) is ground zero in the war against life-threatening pathogens like COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever and more.
The facilities at the HSRB-II allow researchers to investigate infectious agents or toxins known to cause disease in humans or animals. Known as Animal/Biosafety Level 3 (A/BSL3) labs, these highly contained spaces feature state-of-the-art equipment like centrifuges, water baths, scopes, flammable cabinets and more.
As you can imagine, facilities like HSRB-II A/BSL3 require a lot of planning. Design teams are not only responsible for visualizing the spaces before they are physically realized, but also oversee coordinating delivery dates, sourcing specialty equipment and allocating resources for day-to-day operations. It’s a big lift.
“We need people who are experts when we launch something new,” said Lisa M. Carlton, Executive Administrator for Research Administration. “The HSRB-II A/BSL-3 couldn’t be completed without these hardworking people.”
Behind every groundbreaking discovery is a well-orchestrated effort that includes a team of staff. “You can’t have these highly specialized labs coming together without the help of this big and diverse group” remarks Lisa.
While the researchers who win accolades often take center stage, the people who make things happen behind the scenes often go unrecognized. However, without their collaboration there would be no place for researchers to make their mark. Staff, like these teams—and teams throughout SOM—facilitate the incredible research and innovations that take place in our labs.
“HSRB-II is a catalyst to transformative research. And that incredible research is possible because of the administrators who collaborated, planned, proposed equipment and sourced talent.”
-Jaclyn Jones, Operations Manager for the SOM Dean’s Office.
“HSRB-II is a catalyst to transformative research,” adds Jaclyn Jones, Operations Manager for the SOM Dean’s Office. “And that incredible research is possible because of the administrators who collaborated, planned, proposed equipment and sourced talent.”
Listed below are many of the individuals who helped implement the vision of the HSRB-II A/BSL3:
- Farah Chapes, Associate Dean and Chief Operating Officer, SOM
- Adam Marcus, Associate Dean for Novel Technologies and Cores
- Lisa Carlson, Executive Administrator for Research Administration
- Carlton White, Associate Director of Research Administration and Compliance
- Deidre Thauer, Director, Space & Facilities Administration, SOM
- Joy Staulcup, HSRB Operations Manager
- Kira Moresco, Research Laboratory Manager for the Emory Children’s Center and the HSRB Department of Pediatrics
- Maureen Thompson, Assistant Director, Emory Primate Center
- Kalpena Rengarajan, Director of Research Safety at the Environmental Health and Safety Office
- Kalpena Patel, EPC Containment Manager, Emory Primate Center
- Michael Huerkamp, Executive Director, Division of Animal Resources (DAR)
- CJ Arnett, Manager of Facility Operations, DAR
- Neville Whitehead, Associate Operation Manager DAR (retired)
- Christopher Fox, Mechanical Engineer
- Rafael Medina, SOM BSL3 Scientific Director
- Mehul Suthar, SOM BSL3 Faculty Advisory Board Chair
Nothing gets done alone and we want to also acknowledge the countless contributions of leadership, faculty and administrators who work alongside these incredible people and exemplify excellence. Thank you for supporting our shared goal of solving the world’s most complex health challenges.