Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) has opened a new neurosciences laboratory, aiming to enhance research and collaboration in the study of neurological diseases. The 5,267-square-foot facility was funded by the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors (RURCBG).
The opening event included leaders from Rowan University, CMSRU, RURCBG, and faculty members. The new lab is seen as a significant step in CMSRU’s strategic focus on research and strengthens its partnership with Cooper University Health Care.
Annette C. Reboli, MD, dean of CMSRU, stated: “This space represents far more than a renovation. It reflects a shared vision and sustained support from university and RURCBG leadership. The beneficiaries of this work will be patients in our region and across the country.”
The laboratory will support research into neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and addiction—conditions that affect millions in the United States. By bringing together multiple research teams under one roof, the lab aims to encourage collaboration and speed up scientific discoveries.
Faculty at CMSRU will work closely with clinicians at Cooper Neuroscience at Cooper University Health Care to help move findings from basic science into clinical practice.
The facility can house three or four research teams and is designed to accommodate both current needs and future growth in neurosciences. Currently, neuroscience is among the fastest-growing areas at CMSRU; over 30% of its biomedical science faculty are involved in neuroscience-related projects. These efforts are supported by more than $10 million in active external funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and National Science Foundation.
Rowan University Chancellor Anthony Lowman commented on the broader implications for Camden’s life sciences sector: “This lab is just the beginning. Between the Joint Health Sciences Center, new research space and our partners across the region, Camden has the potential to become an epicenter for life sciences research, innovation and incubation.”
Lou Bezich, vice chair of RURCBG and senior vice president at Cooper University Health Care, noted: “It’s one thing to approve an investment. It’s another to see it come to life in a way that expands education, research and healthcare for this city and beyond.”
Darren Boehning, PhD, associate dean for research at CMSRU, highlighted recent growth: over $25 million in active external grants have been secured during the past five years. He said: “This lab will have a transformational impact by allowing our neuroscientists to work side by side and tackle complex problems related to brain health.”
