Greg Klak, vice president (operations) of Gilead Alberta and a UAlberta alumnus, announces a $500,000 gift to the University of Alberta to renovate an undergraduate chemistry laboratory. Photo credit: Gilead Sciences
International pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has announced a $500,000 gift to the University of Alberta to overhaul an undergraduate chemistry laboratory, helping to ensure the Faculty of Science's continued world-class education and hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of scientists.
Guests from UAlberta and all levels of government gathered at the Gilead Alberta campus in Edmonton on September 6, as the pharmaceutical company unveiled a new manufacturing tower-and the $500,000 gift to UAlberta.
"Our donation to the University of Alberta underlines our commitment, not just to the city of Edmonton and the province of Alberta, but to the world-class scientific community that thrives here," said Taiyin Yang, executive vice president (pharmaceutical development & manufacturing) of Gilead Sciences.
Gilead's support will impact nearly 3,000 undergraduate students each year through the renovated laboratory spaces, helping the Faculty of Science continue to train the skilled chemists and scientists of tomorrow.
"The Faculty of Science is proud to have the highest number of instruction hours for our undergraduates of any university in Canada. Experiential training in our laboratories is crucial to keeping our students' skills competitive in the global marketplace," saidMatina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean of the Faculty of Science. "The learning environment is critical for student development and education. With this support from Gilead Sciences, we are providing laboratory spaces that support training excellence for the next generation of scientists."
Connections to campus
The Department of Chemistry hosts two Gilead Lecture Series each year. Since 2012, nearly 700 students have attended presentations by distinguished guests speaking on their contributions to analytical and organic chemistry-helping students envision their own pathways to success.
"Gilead Alberta has a long-term relationship with the University of Alberta, and many of our staff-including myself-have completed at least part of their education at the university," said Greg Klak, vice president (operations) of Gilead Alberta.
Gilead Alberta currently employs 116 UAlberta alumni and has given on-the-job learning opportunities to 33 students through the Science Internship Program since 1994. The company plays an essential role in the development and manufacturing of new medicines, including for cancer, inflammatory diseases, HIV, liver disease, and other diseases with unmet need for effective treatment.
This donation further strengthens those ties to campus and a strong partnership between Gilead and the University of Alberta. The Faculty of Science looks forward to putting that support into action, helping train the skilled chemists of tomorrow and filling a critical role in the pipeline of scientific talent in Edmonton.