Specially designed for practical science
The new learning laboratory is a site specially designed for young scientists, a goal long pursued by the end Beverly Torok-Storb, PhDA pioneering biologist of stem cells that founded both the ship and the undergraduate pathways. Torok-Storb, out of pure will, has reconstructed the laboratory space for education for more than a decade, finally obtaining two adjacent laboratories on the ground floor of the Thomas building on the Fred Hutch’s Lake Union campus.
The new training space – designed by Fred Hutch’s Scied and Facility teams in collaboration with Alexandria – unit like a large laboratory. It is the permanent home for the training that Torok-Storb considered.
“Alexandria is based on what Beverly has started,” said Dave Vannier, PHD, a main scientist who worked alongside Torok-Storb for many years and succeeded him to head programs for secondary and college students. “We are honored to have made our students their priority.”
The laboratory has been designed to meet strict safety standards for minors. But it is almost indistinguishable from other recently renovated research laboratories of Fred Hutch, with the exception of small touches as a projector mounted on the ceiling and an open space in the center of the laboratory where groups can come together for discussions. An interior image window puts exposed learning for scientists and visitors who walk in the building.
“It is practically unknown to have an integrated training space on a research floor,” said Jeanne Ting CHOWNING, PHDVice-president associated with science education and community partnerships. “The creation of this type of learning environment – and prevent it in a primary scientific space – testifies to the commitment that Fred Hutch and our partners have in future scientists.”
“I wanted to do this for the rest of my life”
In addition to being an cornerstone of Fred Hutch’s summer programs for secondary students and undergraduate students, the learning laboratory is used all year round for visits to campus by school and community groups, donors and others.
In 2024, the Scees team hosted 40 visits which brought nearly 900 people to campus, and more than half participated in practical programs led by Boutevols.