University Of Delaware Opens “Building X” As New Hub For Cross-disciplinary Science Research

The University of Delaware’s Building X opened on April 17. ( Photo by Evan Krape/ Kathy F. Atkinson)

NEWARK — The University of Delaware celebrated the official opening of its new interdisciplinary research facility, currently dubbed “Building X,” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 17.

The $150 million building replaces the former McKinly Lab, which was destroyed by fire in 2017, and now stands as a state-of-the-art space for research in psychology, neuroscience, biology, quantum science, materials science, and more.

Located at Academy Street and East Delaware Avenue, the 130,000-square-foot structure is designed to foster collaboration among faculty and students working on complex scientific problems. Organized around three themes — mind, brain and behavior; models of human disease; and quantum science — the four-story facility includes labs, teaching spaces, child-friendly rooms, and high-end imaging and diagnostic equipment.

“It’s a cutting-edge facility that is specifically designed for collaboration,” said University President Dennis Assanis. “What this yields is innovative, truly exceptional research and discovery.”

The building was made possible through funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, with support from state and federal officials, including Mayor John Carney, Governor Matt Meyer, and members of Delaware’s Congressional delegation.

“This building is also representative of how we can take something terrible and turn it into something magical,” Meyer said, referencing the 2017 fire. “There’s no better example than this building.”

Researchers have already begun working in the building, including Professor Barry Walker, who specializes in ultrafast laser science, and Tania Roth, associate dean for natural sciences, whose work focuses on behavioral epigenetics. Roth said the building’s layout encourages the kind of spontaneous collaboration that sparked one of her longest-running projects.

Skye Brand, a doctoral student researching chronic pain, praised the space’s design and urged fellow students to embrace its potential. “Let’s push the boundaries of innovation together,” she said.

The facility includes vibration-controlled lab environments and advanced quantum science infrastructure, supporting experiments that require extreme precision. It’s also connected via sky bridge to UD’s Center for Biomedical and Brain Imaging.

“Careful and smart investment pays off; everyone wins,” Walker said. “Building X is the infrastructure that is part of that investment — providing opportunities to the citizens of Delaware for the best education and helping to produce an inspired scientific workforce.”