December 12, 2024 – On a momentous day for the VIPER community, students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST), a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing research in energy and sustainability. The building, named after Dr. Roy and Diana Vagelos, represents a transformative step forward in creating a collaborative space for interdisciplinary research in energy and climate solutions.
During the celebration, Dr. John Vohs, Co-Faculty Director of VIPER program and the the Carl V. S. Patterson Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, shared his thoughts on the significance of the new facility, stating, “A building like this really inspires all of us. You have people from different departments and backgrounds all collaborating with the common goal of pursuing energy research and trying to solve some of the energy problems the world is facing right now.”
As part of the event, VIPER students expressed their gratitude to Dr. Roy and Diana Vagelos for their unwavering support and generosity. A special message of appreciation was left on a board within VLEST, where students wrote heartfelt notes thanking the Vagelos family for their profound impact on their undergraduate research experiences.
“This building is more than just a place to conduct research—it’s a home for collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose,” said one student. “We’re incredibly grateful to Roy and Diana Vagelos for making this possible.”
The energy during the event was electric, as VIPER students, pictured in a spirited group selfie, came together to commemorate this milestone. From their enthusiasm, it is clear that the VIPER program will thrive in this cutting-edge facility, fostering a vibrant community of researchers committed to tackling the world’s most pressing energy challenges.
Click here to read the full article in the School of Arts and Sciences' OMNIA magazine.
