Groundbreaking Ceremony
November 8, 2004
Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health, joined BRNI at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new research facility.
"Dr. Zerhouni's presence signals the importance of this enterprise to the nation's research agenda," U.S. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, BRNI chairman, said. "Our scientists are among the world's foremost researchers in developing an understanding of diseases of the mind, and will lead the way toward discovering effective diagnostic tools, treatments and cures over the next decade."
Dr. Zerhouni said strong leadership is a common denominator of the successful scientific institutions he has been part of or has visited throughout the world.
“All the institutions that have been successful have been characterized by the passion of the leader, the commitment of legislators at a state and federal level, and visionary institutional leadership. I think BRNI has put that all together,” Zerhouni said.
Other speakers at the groundbreaking included U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, who provided assistance and leadership in securing a portion of the funding necessary for the construction of the $30 million research center; WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr.; and Robert M. D'Alessandri, MD, BRNI president.
For more details about the event, please see our press release:
Senators, Governor, Scientists Break Ground for Rockefeller Institute $30 million project dedicated to Alzheimer's disease and memory research