One Health Innovation Lab provides hub for scientists, researchers and businesses
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu
In the heart of north-central Oklahoma, a groundbreaking initiative at Oklahoma State University is poised to transform the region into a thriving life science hub.
Anchored by the One Health Innovation Lab, which is housed in the state-of-the-art Venture One Health Building at Innovation Park, this facility is a beacon of collaboration and contract services for scientists, researchers and businesses.
Providing resources and propelling transdisciplinary applied research, The Innovation Foundation at OSU leads this visionary effort of collaboration and innovation.
“The One Health initiative at OSU marks a groundbreaking approach to health care, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health,” said Dr. Samuel Jeyasingh, One Health Innovation Lab director. “Research efforts focus on understanding how these domains intersect to safeguard global health and biosecurity.”
The lab will tackle complex health challenges by fostering interdisciplinary research spanning multiple domains while leveraging university assets such as studying the impact of pollutants on ecosystems to improving biosafety regarding food safety, infectious diseases and bioterrorism.
The lab is a nexus for research conducted across the university’s extensive network, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Health Sciences, OSU Agriculture, OSU Extension and the National Center for Wellness & Recovery.
These cutting-edge facilities, including an advanced biorepository, can store millions of biospecimens and will serve as a critical resource for researchers and industry partners alike. By housing physical and digital signatures of specimens from plants, animals and humans, the lab creates a unique One Health library that will support groundbreaking research and commercialization efforts.
It is a dynamic platform for innovation, enabling the conservation of biodiversity and the development of new therapies, diagnostics and scientific products.
“By embracing the One Health approach, we are not just advancing research as a Carnegie R1 institution; we are fostering a holistic understanding of health that unites animals, people and the environment,” OSU President Kayse Shrum said. “As a land-grant university, we are helping the world in finding solutions to health challenges we all face.”
The One Health Innovation Lab’s mission extends beyond research, forging meaningful collaborations to drive economic growth and advance public health. By partnering with private industry, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, the lab creates a collaborative ecosystem that fuels innovation and accelerates the translation of research into real-world solutions. This commitment to public-private partnerships aligns with OSU’s strategic goals and enhances the university’s ability to contribute to global health and biosecurity.
This emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic partnerships is instrumental in positioning OSU at the forefront of One Health research, innovation and sequencing services. As the lab attracts top talent and fosters groundbreaking discoveries, it also enhances OSU’s institutional impact, regionally and globally. The One Health Innovation Lab’s commitment to holistic public health underscores its vital role in shaping a healthier future for all.
“The One Health Innovation Lab presents unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and advancement in the biological sciences,” said Elizabeth Pollard, CEO of The Innovation Foundation at OSU.
“With more than 25 years working in life science collaboratively with public and private partners, I can attest that our One Health strategy is positioned for significant impact in interdisciplinary research and innovation, attracting talent and fostering partnerships that drive economic growth for our community and beyond.”
Photos by: Gary Lawson
Story by: Cody Cramer | STATE Magazine