Genomics Research Center Receives $25M

The University has received a $25 million gift to endow a new Life Sciences Building and a Genomics Research Center, one of the top ten single gifts ever donated to Harvard.

The building and center will bear the name of donor Charles T. "Ted" Bauer '42, chair of Houston-based AIM Management.

"Genomics is fascinating, and I thought the best place to do it was at Harvard. All the necessary disciplines are there," Bauer said.

Bauer also said he wanted to support one of Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles' four major science initiatives, proposed last year and estimated to cost a total $200 million.

"I am a great fan of Jeremy Knowles," Bauer said. "He is very smart, has a great sense of humor, and he knows how to get things done."

The Center for Genomics Research, temporarily located in 4,000 square feet of space in the biology laboratories, will allow top researchers to make important breakthroughs in the treatment of diseases. As many as 10 "genome fellows" will be appointed every three to five years to conduct their research.

Two fellows have already been appointed.

According to Douglas A. Melton, Cabot professor of the natural sciences and chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, undergraduates will benefit from genomics classes that will be offered at the center.

Bauer, who concentrated in economics while at Harvard, said his interest in science can be partially attributed to his father, who attended Harvard and eventually became the chair of the American Medical Association.

He is no stranger to philanthropy. Bauer endowed the University of Houston's business school and established the Charles T. Bauer Science Center at Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, where he is a trustee. He graduated from the school in 1938 and is presently endowing another building there.

Bauer also helped Harvard raise $230 million for undergraduate financial aid during its recently completed capital campaign.

Knowles announced Bauer's gift at a dinner held in Annenberg Hall on November 17.

The Bauer Life Sciences Building is expected to open in 2002 and will will connect the Sherman-Fairchild building to the Naito chemistry building on Divinity Ave.

"It is wonderful to have extraordinary alumni like Bauer," Melton said.