Source: orlando.bizjournals.com
The Burnham Institute for Medical Research officially dedicated its new 175,000-square-foot scientific facility on Thursday and marked the opening of Orlando’s “medical city” as a life science center.
Burnham at Lake Nona is the research anchor for the new development in southeast Orange County. It also serves as the East Coast campus of the La Jolla, Calif.-based institute.
The opening of the new research facility is expected to bring high-skilled, high-wage jobs to the region, helping to foster economic diversity.
“We’ve established a foundation by bringing new expertise to the region and forging strong alliances that will enhance and accelerate scientific opportunities,” said Dr. John Reed, Burnham’s president and CEO.
The dedication attracted a number of well-known officials from the state and Central Florida, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty and Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director at Burnham Lake Nona, among others.
The day’s festivities also included a formal announcement confirming the University of Florida’s intention to build a research facility at Lake Nona.
Burnham Institute for Medical Research is one of the fastest-growing research institutes in the country, ranking among the top four independent research institutions nationally for National Institutes of Health grant funding and among the top 25 organizations worldwide for its research impact.
