The Michigan State University (MSU) Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a $335 million, seven-story biomedical research center spanning 335,000 square feet, the university announced on April 12. Barton Malow, based in Southfield, Michigan, will serve as the construction manager for the project, according to an email from MSU to Construction Dive. 

The Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Research Center will be MSU’s largest research facility, designed to house over 80 principal investigator teams and feature cutting-edge technology. This facility is part of a larger $3 billion development partnership involving MSU, Henry Ford Health, and the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. 

The new center will facilitate research in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and public health. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-May, with the center expected to open in 2027. 

In addition to the research center, the broader development will include a new hospital tower, a campus, and mixed-use/mixed-income residential buildings. 

A key feature of the center will be the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute, which will occupy an entire floor of the building. It will be the first dedicated facility for neurofibromatosis research, providing unique opportunities for global collaboration among researchers. 

“Our aim is to create a research powerhouse that brings hope and health to all, serving as a national model for collaboration between universities, health care systems, and communities,” said Norman Beauchamp, executive vice president for MSU Health Sciences. 

How will the New Biomedical Research Center Impact MSU’s Research Rankings 

The new $335 million biomedical research center in Detroit is likely to significantly boost Michigan State University’s research rankings and expenditures. While the exact impact on rankings cannot be precisely predicted, several factors suggest a positive influence: 

  1. Increased Research Expenditures: MSU’s research expenditures have been growing steadily, reaching $844 million in 2023, an increase of $84.8 million from 2022. The addition of a $335 million facility will likely contribute to further growth in research spending. 
  2. Expanded Research Capacity: The new center will be MSU’s largest research facility to date, designed to accommodate more than 80 principal investigator teams. This increased capacity will allow for more research projects and potentially higher research output. 
  3. Focus on High-Impact Areas: The center will facilitate research in critical areas such as cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and public health. These fields often attract substantial funding and produce high-impact research, which could improve MSU’s standing in specific research domains. 
  4. Collaboration Opportunities: The partnership with Henry Ford Health and the inclusion of the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute may lead to increased collaboration and potentially more diverse funding sources 
  5. Historical Trends: MSU has previously seen improvements in its research rankings. For instance, its national rank for total research expenditures jumped from 36th to 32nd place in a previous assessment period 

Given these factors, the new biomedical research center is poised to enhance MSU’s research capabilities and potentially improve its overall research rankings in the coming years. 

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