New Marine Research Institute Building

Construction Begins 2023

Whitney Laboratory is expanding to a new technologically advanced teaching, research and conservation facility. This new Marine Research Institute Building and the Nancy Condron Family Sea Turtle Research Center and Hospital will bring high-technology to the shores of UF Whitney Laboratory’s valuable environmental location.

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Expanding our Facilities to Meet Research and Conservation Demands

  • 32,000 Gross Square Feet and 25,000+ Usable Square Feet
  • Project Budget: $30M
  • Nancy Condron Family Sea Turtle Research Center and Hospital
  • Marine Research and Conservation Discovery Entry
  • Scientific Education Pathway and Outdoor Classroom

Architect Firms / Construction Firm

After a competitive bidding process, architecture firms Lord Aeck Sargent (Atlanta)/ TTV Architects (Jacksonville) were hired and we have worked closely with their team on initial building designs. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2022 with our selected construction firm DPR (Jacksonville).

Research Laboratories

Research Laboratories

Twelve State-of-the-Art Laboratories Including:
  • Expanded STEM Career Training Capacity (PhD, MS and Undergraduate)
  • Regenerative Medicine and Neuroscience Hub
  • Sensory Biology / Biomechanics Laboratory Hub
  • High Performance Multi Scale Flow Visualization Lab
  • Shared Graduate Student Innovation/Maker Suite
Naming Opportunities

Naming Opportunities

MARINE RESEARCH & CONSERVATION DISCOVERY LOBBY

Educational entryway, impactful displays of current Whitney research, sea turtle education and conservation displays for public education

SENSORY BIOLOGY HUB

Collaborative multidisciplinary research hub for faculty focused on the senses and biomechanics of movement, including advanced optical imaging unit suite and flow tank visualization areas

NEUROSCIENCE/MARINE GENOMICS HUB

Using marine genomics and modern neuroscience research aims, this hub combines expert faculty research labs to study neural pathways and development

NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Cutting edge identification of new compounds for medicine from terrestrial and marine environments, translational research with linkage to pharmaceutical development

SEA TURTLE CARE EXAMINATION AND OPERATING ROOM

Space for care of sick and injured sea turtles, including examination table, x-ray connection and surgical suite, including online medical charting area, pharmaceutical storage and turtle care supplies

SEA TURTLE TANK ROOM AND DECK 

Sea water tank homes for sea turtle patients with some public access and life support and heating systems to support 6-8 tanks educational interface with patient stories

SEA TURTLE STUDENTS, STAFF & VOLUNTEER CORE

Office space and lockers for students, staff and volunteers helping sea turtles survive, storage for outreach materials and displays

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

Exterior Matanzas basin courtyard for educational gatherings, instruction and research site collaboration

WHITNEY FISH POND 2.0

Reboot of the iconic Whitney fish pond with educational displays and seating

In the News

Palm Coast Observer Article by Brent Foster

With the construction of the new building, Whitney Laboratory administrators and staff are responding to the nation’s growing demand to inspire and train STEM investigators, both young and old.

St. Augustine Record

Palm Coast Observer

First Coast News

Action News Jax
Your Partnership

Your Partnership

Your support is graciously requested to help us create and build the Marine Research Institute Building. We look forward to ways we can join together to build the training, research and conservation institute of the future.

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Jessica Long
Senior Director of Advancement
(904) 201-8401