The Biology Department is excited to invite the campus community to its annual research open house on Wednesday, January 15, featuring the grand opening of the Experimental Plant Investigation Center (EPIC). This innovative greenhouse is designed to enhance research opportunities for faculty and students in biology, biochemistry, environmental science, and various related fields, with a focus on climate change, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem management.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in room B135 of the Cathy ’83 and Marc ’81 Lasry Center for Bioscience on Maywood Street. The event will begin with refreshments at 1 p.m., followed by the formal program at 1:30 p.m. Attendees include notable local officials, such as Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and State Sen. Robyn Kennedy, MPA ’21.
Spanning 1,275 square feet, the EPIC facility is equipped with a head house, general grow space, and two specialized research areas separated to prevent cross-contamination as mandated by federally funded research protocols. Professors Chandra Jack and Kaitlyn Mathis, who specialize in plant interactions, will manage the lab and utilize its resources for their research initiatives.
One of the standout features of the EPIC lab is its advanced technology, allowing researchers to customize and remotely control environmental conditions like humidity, temperature, and irrigation. This energy-efficient greenhouse employs LED lighting and has a reduced reliance on windows, utilizing 100 percent electric heating and cooling connected to Clark’s cogeneration campus loop.
After the ribbon-cutting, attendees can explore various research showcases from 2 to 4 p.m. The day’s events will culminate with a keynote address from Lily Khadempour, an assistant professor at Rutgers University and expert in microbial evolutionary ecology, who will discuss insect-microbial symbiosis and eco-evolutionary dynamics from 4 to 5 p.m.
This event not only marks a significant advancement for the university’s research capabilities but also serves as an opportunity to engage the community in vital discussions around sustainability and environmental challenges, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation.
Overall, the EPIC center positions the university at the forefront of impactful research that addresses pressing global issues, offering students and faculty a platform to contribute positively to our understanding of ecology and sustainability.