Officials cut the ribbon on the new Tidal Hall Life Science Research Building during ceremonies April 12. Students are expected to fill classrooms and labs as early as this summer. Courtesy photo
The new Tidal Hall Life Science Research Building has opened on the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus. The $60 million development supports the school’s fastest growing programs: environmental ecology, biomedical/genetics, marine genomics, fisheries and mariculture, and marine microbiology. Class will begin in the building this summer, announced University President and CEO Dr. Kelly M. Quintanilla at opening ceremonies April 12.
“Within the labs of Tidal Hall, students will conduct meaningful, applied research and learn alongside some of the best scientific minds in the country,” said Quintanilla. “The research conducted in Tidal Hall will invigorate the classroom experience by providing hands-on learning opportunities and cutting-edge knowledge, as well as providing data driven solutions to everyday problems that directly impact the environment of the Coastal Bend and beyond.”
The building is three stories tall and 108,000 total square feet. It includes nine teaching labs and 34 research labs.
“Along with the Harte Research Institute located on the other side of our main entrance, Tidal Hall will serve as an epicenter of life science research and instructional learning,” she continued.
Along with impressive views of Corpus Christi Bay, the facility includes state-of-the-art research tools like specialized vacuum hoods, compressed air systems, an autoclave room, an expansive equipment loading dock, aquariums, marine life observation rooms, and specialized storage spaces.
“Existing University facilities were not constructed to support research – the University was primarily teaching oriented through most of its history,” College of Science and Engineering Dean Frank Pezold said. “Teaching labs were doing double duty as research labs, odd closets and loading docks were converted to research lab space. This was a major problem for us as we began hiring faculty to support Ph.D. programs – research is an integral and defining component for those programs.”
The new hall extends pedestrian pathways and creates a major campus green space using native vegetation. It was built using sustainable methodology and design approaches, including the interior furnishings.
Professors, teaching assistants, and students are excited about the new facility.
“As we move into Tidal Hall, I am now able to update curriculum to encompass the capacity and resources of the new labs,” said student/teaching assistant Kristen Deatherage. “It brings me great joy to know that our faculty and staff now have the tools and space needed to grow and excel even more as educators and researchers.”
With the new space, TAMU-CC is repurposing existing space in the Dr. Robert R. Furgason Engineering Building specifically for engineering programs and majors. Tidal Hall will also be essential in maintaining the level of excellence required of an R2 Doctoral University-High Research Activity, a classification earned from the Carnegie Commission of Higher Education.
The project was funded by the Texas Legislature in 2015. Construction began in September 2016.
