Emerging Pathogens Institute ribbon-cutting

Doctor Glenn Morris, alongside Univeristy of Florida President Bernie Machen, and deans from eight colleges, officially dedicate the Emerging Pathogens Institute with this ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Dr. Glenn Morris, Director EPI

“This is the first step in really getting the institute up and going.”

This first step will arm university of Florida researchers to fight current and future diseases from animals, plants and humans that may threaten Florida and the rest of the world.

Dr. Glenn Morris

“There is a need to be able to do research on these diseases, to understand them, to be able to put in preventive strategies to keep them from coming into Florida in the first place.

The emerging pathogens institute, or EPI, is equipped with three level -3 biosafety labs, 28 laboratories, and rooftop greenhouses in the 80,000-square foot building. The EPI will house researchers from eight different colleges at the University of Florida collaborating on the same missions.

Dr. Bernie Machen, President UF

“Seeing the space that we have talked about for so long actually come together and watching in practice the kind of interdisciplinary that we preach from the administrative buildings, from the academic halls, actually this is in my opinion, the best living example of interdisciplinary that I have ever seen.

The EPI will focus on understanding why new pathogens emerge unexpectedly, and how to stop the threats.