Diabetes Center looks brightly into the future when it will in large part move into the new Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building, along with other research programs for cancer, microbiology, immunology and cell biology. The Research space will be focused on promoting team-based science, with labs organized by discovery themes rather than specialty areas, to hasten scientific breakthroughs. Built into the hillside, the 323,000 square-foot facility will have nine stories above ground to the west and eight to the east. The facility will also feature a seventh-floor skyway connecting it to the Clinical Sciences Building, further strengthening the interdisciplinary research from the lab bench to clinical care for which UCSF is widely known.
"The building is designed by scientists for scientists and strategically locates researchers from various disciplines adjacent to each other—cancer, immunology, microbiota, and diabetes—to spur discovery," said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Catherine Lucey. "It's a revolutionary shift in how we do science and address significant issues in human health."
This grand opportunity is owed in large part to our partnership with Parnassus Institutes, a distinguished group of research programs at UCSF who believe in the power of collaboration and resource sharing by leveraging the diverse expertise and cutting-edge resources available within their collective programs, thus amplifying the impact of educational, community, and research efforts. “We are thrilled to have the Diabetes Center as a collaborative member of this cutting-edge building," said Diabetes Center director Mark Anderson. "Positioning our experts in autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes with experts in cancer immunology, microbiome, and systems immunology will greater synergize our groups for the next big discoveries and breakthroughs.”
Many faculty at Diabetes Center are equally excited. Michael McManus, whose work spans several fields in synthetic and systems biology, has always embraced collaboration. “This new space represents a bold leap forward. By bringing together experts in diabetes, microbiome science, immunology, and systems biology under one roof, we’ll accelerate discovery in ways that weren’t possible before," said Michael McManus. "It’s a dream environment for those of us who thrive on collaboration and are passionate about pushing the boundaries of human health.”
A wide range of details are thoughtfully considered. Anil Bhushan, whose lab studies how stromal cells shape immune response, serves on the Art Selection Committee—headed by Vice Dean of Research, David Morgan—working with an art consulting firm to curate site-specific sculptures which best exemplify the ethos of science and art coming together. He said he's happy to help revitalize the look and feel of Parnassus, noting that much of the art will be on the perimeter of the building and assessable by the public. "It's a step forward for Parnassus," he said.
Inestimable Philanthropy
Before his passing in 2017, Gerson Bakar was a member of the UCSF Board of Overseers, and along with Barbara, supported a myriad of areas at UCSF, including the Bakar Cancer Hospital, the Bakar Fitness and Recreation Center in the William J. Rutter Center, the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, and now the Bakar Research and Academic Building.
“Gerson’s commitment to the University and to the community truly drove a new vision for the campus that helped revitalize the health of not only individuals but an entire city,” recalled UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood. Many remember how humble of a man he was. "I don't need to be remembered," Gerson once said, "but I hope the organizations Barbara and I have been involved in will be of lasting quality, and that will be our legacy."
Diabetes Center is grateful for the Gerson's visionary philanthropy, and look towards furthering that legacy in a vision of a cure for diabetes.