Harvard gets $125 million for biological engineering institute
By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff
Harvard University announced today the largest gift in its history, a $125 million donation from entrepreneur Hansjorg Wyss to create a new institute dedicated to biological engineering.
"It's really wonderful," said Provost Steven E. Hyman of the gift, which will establish a new Hansjorg Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, to be located in the new science complex being built in Allston. "This is both an exciting cornerstone area for our new expanded efforts in biological engineering...[and] a way of tying together the Cambridge side of the river with the Boston side of the river -- the medical school, but also our affiliated hospitals."
The gift marks the continuing push at Harvard toward interdisciplinary science and an attempt to knit together the academic resources among different schools at Harvard and affiliated hospitals. It is also part of a larger attempt to elevate engineering to a new platform, as the school last year elevated engineering from a division within Harvard University into a school of engineering.
Wyss is an alum of Harvard Business School and entrepreneur who is ranked on Forbes' list of billionaires and is chairman of the Swiss medical device company Synthes.
"This gift underscores Harvard's ability to lead and to make very significant contributions in a field that is of increasing importance to scientists in a number of areas, to science more generally," Harvard president Drew Faust said in a statement.
The donation will fund seven faculty and operating funds for the Institute, and will be led by Donald Ingber, professor of bioengineering at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Work at the Institute will include the new field of synthetic biology, in which scientists attempt to make working with cells and genes more like building circuits. It will also include a "living materials program" that will probe the natural world for engineering and design principles in the search for new materials and devices.
"Little did I dream when I began my career in engineering that we would reach a point where engineers and biologists would be using nature's templates to create solutions to our medical and environmental challenges," Wyss said in a statement.
care to share some of that moolah to the country and help us out of this economic crisis Wyss? you'll be considered a hero and a patriot throughout history for it.
how many animals will suffer and die here
Why? So that more people can buy a house they cannot afford?
Bingo.. exactly what I was thinking... the billionaires continue to get richer while the rest of use can't pay for food and our 401K's are in the toilet... and then someone goes and throws $125 million to a company (it is a company after all) who has a $7 billion dollar endowment ... that money could have help many many families never to have to worry about paying their mortgage again.. instead, we'll just get one more oversized Harvard building.
Silly backwards world.......
Contributing to education, research and science will certainly be of more help than handing out 30 cents to everybody. Btw, Wyss was born and raised in Switzerland, though I assume he is a US citizen now.
ah, the rich getting wealthy. It's a beautiful thing. I'm hoping my child can get into the Yard!!
125 million won't fix the economy, but maybe they can build a cyborg that will slap people upside the head if they try to assume debt they can't afford...
DI$CO is a fool. He earned itfor working hard. Instead of the govt. wasting it on "social" programs, as a reward he gets to decide what to do with it. You liberal should get back to work, and then you can donate your money. If you read the article, he's probably not a US citizen!
He can do what he wants with his money. I think it's great what he is doing. No guts no glory!!
Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science
Harvard University, Master of Business Administration
President of Synthes, a Swiss-based medical-implants and biomaterials company, has presided over the firm for 30 years, leading it to the fore of medical technology. Harvard M.B.A. is also a committed environmentalist. Heads Wyss Foundation, which gives scholarships to students getting their master's in conservation. Wine connoisseur owns a 900-acre ranch and vineyard in California.
moneymoney--Harvard's endowment is $35 billion. Or at least it was in June. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alone has an endowment of $1 billion.
What are they planning to do with all that money--acquire nuclear weapons, or buy Australia?
lets hope harvard is cognizant of the other people living in the area it plans to develop. given its subpar reputation in surrounding neighborhoods, this is an opportunity for harvard to modify its image as an institution more eager to expand its territory on both sides of the charles than to pay attention to the established communities already in existence.
What people do with their own money is nobody else's business. Just be happy to know that someone who doesn't even live here is willing to donate money for a new building and create many new jobs for the people who do.
It is scientific and technologocial advancement like this that will stimulate our economy and help get our country back on track. "Teach a man to fish...." theory. Good for Mr. Wyss.
This is how the rest of the donors should think. Give a fishing rod to those who will fish. Don't give fish to those who are asking for fish. A lot of donors throw their money to make poor people stay dependant forever. This donation will open a lot of opportunities for those who will learn to empower themselves and empower others.
Let's be clear here, Provost Steve Hyman and President Drew Faust courted Wyss for this donation. Harvard was looking for an institute to put there. What I find sad is that it took the Harvard way, go with what's already established, rather than pursue a bold field in basic research. Harvard has a debilitating fear of being on the cutting edge.
Philanthropy of ALL kinds makes the world go 'round.
No one reading this will have the kind of money to open an educational center, but, every $5, $10, $20 and $50+ you can afford donate to local soup kitchens, shelters, animal rescues, literacy, and other organizations. Organizations that make a huge difference in people's lives.
and we have people starving in this world....so sad! Well intentioned, but why couldn't the money be sent to those in need?
Some AIG or Lehman exec has to put their money somewhere! Can't put it in the market, so donate to Harvard and write it off on their taxes!
How about contributing some of your fortune to The University of Massachusetts?.....You may have gone to Harvard but the Commonwealth, in more ways than you can recount or acknowledge, shaped, formed, enhanced and subsidized your experience while studying in Cambridge. Why not be fair-minded instead of square-mindedd?
There are much better ways to get your name on a building. Its showboating and lame. I compare it to inviting one person to a buffet that is big enough for 1000 people. A waste. If this person who donated this money thinks Harvard is going to spend his donation exclusively on "his" building he is dumb. In fact Hansjorg Wyss is a pompous boob. Matthew Fulton
Any investment in science or medical research is good for the economy of the United States and the world as a whole. Scientific research produces advances which will stimulate business development, job creation, and a better quality of life for everyone. This is the kind of investment that helps society as opposed to invading other countries which does nothing to advance society except those few friends of Dick Cheney who are making millions off the war. And think of all those who are dying and receiving injuries which will disable them for life. The other issue is the amount of Harvard's endowment and the fact that very little of it is spent. Unfortunately with this current economic crisis I fear the budget of NIH will be cut as a result of "cutting waste" or "social programs." Scientific and medical research is not a useless social program thought up by "liberals." Take a look at the increasing number of individuals who believe creationism should be taught in the schools - this is not good for science.
Bio-engineering is an exciting and worthy field. I truly hope that Harvard does not waste it. It appears that groups within Harvard can be extremely territorial, which prohibits the interdisciplinary collaboration that drives an endeavor such as this forward. There are other universities with people just as knowledgeable and capable as those at Harvard and its affiliates who are drawn to, and excited by, interdisciplinary collaboration and already reinforced by the synergistic effect of good minds. I also hope the donation is not wasted on over-study -- produce outcomes. Good theory precedes solid outcomes, but outcomes are the mark of producivity.
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