Upon its completion, Danoff Laboratories will serve as a state-of-the-art facility for integrated research ranging from molecular-level science, to biotech innovations, to patient therapies and interventions. Modern laboratory spaces illuminated by natural light, a street-level education lab accessible to the public, and plentiful interior and exterior gathering spaces are among the facility’s signature elements. The first floor will house spaces for interactions with participants in clinical trials for new medical treatments or other patient-based research — an element uncommon to most lab buildings, but reflective of Brown’s focus on solving real patient challenges. 

The facility is named in recognition of a generous gift from William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff, parents of Class of 2023 graduate Amelia Danoff and strong supporters of Brown. It will serve as a hub that fuels Brown’s aspirations to grow its research for impact, Brown Provost Francis J. Doyle III said during the ceremony.

“It will be the centerpiece of our vision for an integrated biomedical ecosystem where we can do research that spans the trajectory from fundamental science and clinical research all the way to translation to innovations, therapeutics and devices that will have impact,” Doyle said.

The space is designed to drive new science and innovation in three ways, Doyle noted: by bringing together faculty, researchers and students with complementary expertise in biology, medicine, engineering and computational science to tackle daunting challenges facing human health; by focusing on signature Brown strengths in aging, brain science, cancer and immunity, with cross-cutting expertise in RNA and biomedical engineering; and by emphasizing work that can be rapidly translated into scientifically and medically useful products. With goals to attract and cultivate both future scientists and additional research funding, he added, Danoff Laboratories will create a dynamic environment for Brown researchers and expand their work with biotech and industry partners to accelerate the timeline to having a positive impact on people.

In thanking the all-union construction crews as well as project leaders and donors, Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council President Michael Sabitoni told the crowd that the project is particularly gratifying, as it is part of the realization of a vision for the neighborhood that dates back decades.

“I remember when we relocated the highway and we were talking about the vision of the Jewelry District and what it could become,” Sabitoni said. “This research lab right here truly was part of that vision… Investing and continuing to build world-class facilities at Brown University makes us proud. It makes us proud of the investments of people like the Danoffs, who invest in Rhode Island and make a positive impact on our community for the short and long term.” 

Sabitoni harkened back to the early 2000s for another reason — that era marked the start of Brown’s partnership with Building Futures, a Providence nonprofit that allows Rhode Islanders from all backgrounds to learn the fundamentals of construction trades without paying tuition or incurring debt. Brown was one of the program’s first collaborators, said Building Futures President and CEO Andrew Cortés. Since then, the organization and University have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, connecting hundreds of people to meaningful careers in the building trades. 

“As a community partner, the level of impact that we've had by sharing resources together, by being intentional about how we build, has been exceptional,” Cortés said.

He cited the names of multiple workers who started careers through Building Futures on previous Brown projects and are now contributing meaningful to Danoff Laboratories — a number of whom had signed the beam before it ascended into the sky. 

“These are not just numbers or statistics,” Cortés said. “These are impacts on people's lives, and for that, I cannot thank this partnership enough.”

The Danoffs, who live near Boston, attended the ceremony to express their enthusiasm for the project.

“We are so pleased to have everyone's partnership on this venture that we know will be an engine for both economic activity in Providence and Rhode Island as well as an engine for scientific advancement,” said Ami Kuan Danoff, was recently elected a trustee on the Corporation of Brown University.

Upon completion, Danoff Laboratories will become the largest academic laboratory building in Rhode Island and one of the first in the region powered by 100% renewable electricity. Located across from Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School, near existing research labs and in close proximity to the University’s hospital partners, the project will spark additional growth in Providence’s Jewelry District, a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood that Brown has played a key role in helping to revitalize. 

The installation of the exterior building façade is expected to begin in September, and the University anticipates a spring 2027 completion date for the project.