Wayne State University accelerates vision for health innovation with new $200M Health Sciences Research Building
As Wayne State University strengthens its focus and investment in health sciences, plans are accelerating to construct a new Health Sciences Research Building (HSRB), a transformative $200 million project that will redefine how discovery, innovation, collaboration and community engagement drive health outcomes in Detroit and beyond.
The project is in its design development phase, with groundbreaking anticipated this fall and full project completion targeted for early 2028.
This state-of-the-art facility, backed by significant investment from the State of Michigan, will serve as a beacon for collaborative, interdisciplinary research with a strong focus on real world impact.
The HSRB will serve as a driver of Wayne State’s Prosperity Agenda, which focuses on advancing the health and well-being of our local communities, contributing significantly to Michigan's economic growth, and preparing our students for life-changing careers.
Strategically located on Canfield Street, directly across from the School of Medicine’s Scott Hall and adjacent to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, the HSRB will rise on what is currently parking lot #75. With a planned bridge connecting it to Scott Hall, the five-story, 160,000-square-foot HSRB will foster seamless interaction between researchers, clinicians, students and community partners.
Designed to support Wayne State’s efforts to empower health for urban neighborhoods, the HSRB project aims to tackle some of the most urgent health issues in surrounding communities, with dedicated space for thematic research in areas including oncology; translational neuroscience; systems biology; and metabolism, immunology and infectious diseases.
“This building is much more than just a physical structure,” said Bernard J. Costello, M.D., D.M.D., senior vice president for Health Affairs. “It symbolizes our commitment to collaboration and innovation, bringing together experts from various fields to reduce the time from discovery to impact. Whether that means outcomes like reducing brain damage during stroke, preventing diabetes, or developing new cancer therapies, this research will have a direct and positive effect on our community. Not in a decade – starting right now.”
By creating a dynamic space for researchers across fields to work side by side, while also fostering strategic partnerships with tech incubators and industry leaders, Wayne State intends to shorten the typical 10- to 15-year gap between when scientific breakthroughs are made and life-changing interventions go to market. Wayne State’s longstanding partnerships with the Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Health will be further strengthened through the HSRB.
These synergies are crucial in advancing health care, fueling WSU’s competitiveness as a leader in health sciences research, and growing the ecosystem of health-focused industries in our region by generating jobs, training a highly skilled workforce and supporting the production of new health technologies and products.
“Philanthropic support will play an important role in helping us achieve the vision for this project,” Dr. Costello said. “With the help of generous donors, we can ensure that this building serves as a catalyst for transformative health advances that will benefit Detroit and the world.”
With strong emphasis on community engagement, designated spaces within the building will invite community members to participate in the research process, ensuring that their voices are heard and integrated into the development of new solutions. This is a critical component to ensuring the latest interventions include an understanding of health determinants and become replicable, trusted and accessible models for urban communities.
Aligning with Wayne State’s focus on accelerating mobility for students, the HSRB will provide opportunities for students to learn alongside world class faculty and clinicians to address prevalent health challenges. These experiences are essential in preparing the next generation of health professionals vital to advancing health outcomes both locally and globally.
David Ripple, vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs, emphasized the importance of philanthropy in realizing this project.
“Wayne State University is fortunate to be in Detroit, a city filled with an innovative, industrious and generous spirit,” he said. “Our philanthropic partners have supported our mission and catapulted our impact forward throughout the decades. Continued giving will allow the Health Sciences Research Building project to create an energized environment for exploration and progress that transforms health and wellness for our community, state and world.”
This visionary project underscores WSU’s unique position at the intersection of community engagement, academic excellence and research innovation. By bridging gaps between disciplines, research and application, and WSU and the community, Wayne State’s Health Sciences Research Building will set a new standard for what it means to serve, discover and lead.
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