Shell Laboratories donate equipment for Students and Scientists

Scientists and students in the University will soon be benefiting from fittings, furniture and equipment which has been donated from Shell Laboratories.

Laboratories in Environmental and Biological Sciences will be enhanced by this provision, some of which will be used in a brand new building on campus, the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC).

Construction of this building is due to start in mid March and will be home to one of the largest groups of environmental researchers and teachers in Europe when the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) moves 70 of its scientists from their Merlewood Research Station in south Cumbria to the University campus.

The LEC building will have five specialist new laboratories, where the fittings, furniture and equipment from Shell will be used. 15 new glass houses and 10 controlled environment rooms will also be constructed and these will enable the scientists to exploit opportunities in environmental chemistry, plant biotechnology, genomics and agriculture. These are areas where Lancaster already has a world class reputation.

Lancaster is also ranked joint 8th in the UK for research in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise with many of the disciplines that will contribute to LEC being part of this success story.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ritchie said: "I am delighted that Shell is helping to enhance the quality of provision in laboratories in an area of research where Lancaster University is particularly strong. This is an example of a world class company supporting a world class university."