On June 28, 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham broke ground on the new UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building. The $190 million facility will add new space for wet and dry laboratories, biomedical research and support, and instructional laboratories and support, creating more opportunities for research breakthroughs within both the Department of Psychology and the Heersink School of Medicine.
According to Chris Henrich, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Psychology, the 228,735-square-foot building will prompt more interdisciplinary collaboration too.
“Much of the department’s interdisciplinary work in research and student training is in collaboration with units on the medical side of campus,” said Henrich. “The location of the new building bridges the medical and academic sides of campus. Thus, its location, as well as its architectural design (which emphasizes coworking and huddle spaces in common areas) will facilitate the collaborative work we so highly prioritize.”
The Department of Psychology is one of the most research-productive units in UAB’s College of Arts and Sciences. According to Henrich, faculty members across the department had over $12 million in annual external research expenditures in 2023. In total, psychology faculty were principal investigators on 35 grants and contracts, most of which came from federal sources including the National Institutes of Health and more.
Moving forward, the department will continue to recruit faculty members and researchers to UAB with the Biomedical Research and Psychology Building serving as a significant driver.
“Through strategic faculty hiring, we aim to build interdisciplinary strengths and collaborations in research areas aimed at understanding, preventing, and intervening in biological and social determinants of health and health disparities from multiple perspectives and levels—ranging from basic to translational and applied approaches,” said Henrich.
Of course, the building will also serve as a hub for students who wish to conduct research alongside faculty members. Henrich believes that there may be opportunities to further expand graduate offerings too.
“The building will bring together more Psychology faculty and graduate students than we currently have in Campbell Hall, and it will have space for future faculty hires and new graduate programs,” said Henrich.
The construction project will conclude in early 2027. In the meantime, be sure to follow along as the College of Arts and Sciences shares more updates, photos, and information about the building.
Editor’s Note: UAB is constructing a $190 million Biomedical Research and Psychology Building. The project is supported by $152 million of federal funding (80% of the project budget) from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining $38 million (20% of the project budget) are not federal funds.
