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Scientists Professors Susan Iversen & Anthony Leggett honoured at The Oxford Science Park
Scientists Professors Susan Iversen & Anthony Leggett honoured at The Oxford Science Park
16 September 2022
Scientists Professors Susan Iversen & Anthony Leggett honoured at The Oxford Science Park
Names of two new buildings on Plot 16 announced as construction progresses
Oxford, UK, September 16 2022 – Two leading scientists, experimental psychologist Professor Susan Iversen CBE FMedSci and Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Professor Sir Anthony Leggett FRS HonFInstP are being honoured today at The Oxford Science Park (TOSP), one of Europe's leading locations for science and technology companies. Professors Iversen and Leggett, who are giving their names to the first and second buildings on Plot 16 respectively, are both former Fellows of Magdalen College Oxford which is the majority owner of TOSP. The 86,000 sq ft laboratory and office Iversen Building will be completed in the summer of 2023, providing high-specification grow-on space for science and technology companies. The 78,500 sq ft Leggett Building will be completed the following year.
The two scientists will be honoured today at a naming ceremony in which building contractor John Sisk & Son will present TOSP with a time capsule to commemorate the event. The capsule, which will contain a copy of a newspaper dated today, building plans and a list of contractors, is engraved with the logos of the buildings which have been designed to reflect the scientists’ research1.
Professor Iversen is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Oxford and her research interests included brain neurotransmitters and pharmacological treatments of brain diseases. She is the first woman to have a building on The Oxford Science Park named after her. Professor Leggett is a world leader in the theory of low-temperature physics and was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics for research on superfluidity.
The Iversen Building is the next laboratory building to complete in Oxford against a backdrop of extremely high demand, according to research from Bidwells2. Construction is well advanced, with completion expected in the summer of 2023.
Rory Maw, CEO of The Oxford Science Park, said, ‘With the naming of The Iversen and Leggett Buildings, we are delighted to continue our tradition of honouring eminent Magdalen College Fellows and their scientific contributions. These leading researchers will doubtless inspire the growing science and technology companies that will occupy the facilities. The two new buildings are part of TOSP’s accelerated growth strategy following the creation of the joint venture with GIC last year, providing high quality and much needed space for the thriving Oxford innovation ecosystem.’
Ajaz Shafi, COO, John Sisk & Son, said, ‘John Sisk & Son is proud to be delivering one of the UK’s pre-eminent locations for science and technology at The Oxford Science Park. The naming of both buildings at Plot 16 after two renowned scientists and former Fellows of Magdalen College is a fitting tribute. Works are progressing well on site and we look forward to leaving a lasting legacy in the community of Oxford.’
--ENDS—
1 Building logos available now; photos available on request later today.
2 https://www.bidwells.co.uk/what-we-think/arc-market-databook-offices-and-labs-oxfordshire-summer-2022/
For more information, please contact:
The Oxford Science Park
Emma Palmer Foster, Strategic Communications Consultant
T: +44 (0)7880 787185
emmapf@oxfordsp.com
Notes to editors
About The Oxford Science Park
The Oxford Science Park is majority owned by Magdalen College, Oxford, upholding its research heritage and its strategy to support discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. Providing an influential science and technology environment, the Park has ambitious plans to create an additional 500,000+ sq. ft. of office and laboratory space over the next 3 years alongside its strategic partner GIC. This additional capacity will support the growth of businesses already based on the Park, providing flexible workspace accommodation, and enabling new companies to enjoy the Park’s exceptional environment and collegiate and collaborative ethos.
TOSP is home to 3,350 people and more than 100 businesses. These range from start-ups based in the Magdalen Centre innovation hub to major international companies and include Blue Earth Diagnostics, MiroBio, OrganOx, OxSonics Therapeutics, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, OXGENE, ProImmune, Oxford Science Enterprises, Evox Therapeutics, Exscientia and Intuitive Surgical.
The Oxford Science Park is located approximately four miles south-east of Oxford city centre, just off the City’s southern ring road. It has easy access to the M40 and A34, as well as to Heathrow Airport and mainline train services. For further information, please visit: www.oxfordsp.com or follow us on twitter @OxfordSciencePK and LinkedIn
About John Sisk & Son
Sisk is an innovative, international construction and engineering company. We are experienced in delivering high-quality projects across the UK, Ireland and Europe. With a group turnover of €1.5bn and an industry leading balance sheet, we have the strong financial platform, track record and capacity to be a total solutions provider. In the delivery of complex projects, we work collaboratively with our clients and stakeholders to understand key project drivers, enabling the development of solutions that fulfil these needs and provide best value.
For more visit www.johnsiskandson.com
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