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UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FRIDAY HARBOR LABS |
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Related pagesJAZZ at the LABS Jazz at the Labs supports science in the classroom (2006) Not your typical science classroom (jazz preview 2005) Jazz at the Labs supports science in the classroom (2004) OPEN HOUSE Open House 2007
Open House 2005 Open House 2003 Global impacts of "Bug Station's" century of research 100 Years of Exploration and Discovery - University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs Centennial Exhibit Centennial celebration included dedication of the Centennial Helen Riaboff Whiteley Center NECROPSY STORY: | |
Global impacts of "Bug Station's" century of researchStory by Sharon Kivisto
posted 07/19/04
Gates was one of the three keynote speakers who spoke at a centennial celebration at Friday Harbor UW Labs Saturday, July 17, 2004. The celebration revealed many connections - between a Nobel Prize winner and third-graders in Friday Harbor; between George Vancouver and calcium blockers; between scientists and philanthropists, between Marjorie Kincaid Illman, Dorothy Kincaid Stapp and the lab's original location near Capron's landing.
The audience of donors, scientists, students, staff and politicians, listened to another keynote speaker, Director Dennis Willows. "There are a lot of questions to which we know we need to know the answers, " he said. "There is also a whole other class of questions we don't even know." FH UW labs realized the importance of both, he said. Researchers and students at the labs don't worry too much if they don't know at first the reason for asking the question. The impacts of the imagination and creativity of the risk takers is far reaching. As an example he described how six different researchers seeking answers to unrelated questions led to the development of life-saving heart medicine. The collection in the 1790s of barnacle samples by a physican participating in George Vancouver's exploration of the Pacific Northwest and the search for the answer to jellyfish's effervescence resulted in the creation of calcium blockers. In the second half of the 20th century, scientist John Blinks used purified protein from jellyfish and the large cells of the barnacles to measure how much calcium was involved in muscle contractions.
Former Secretary of the Interior William Ruckleshaus spoke about the importance of marine science research. "There are huge health opportunities in the oceans," he said. Gates noted that one-half of the basic research done in the past 30 years found applications in medicine. The labs has received an $11 million five-year grant to fund the Center for Cell Dynamics. The construction of the center was completed this year. Barbara Cable surprised Willows, who is retiring after 32 years as director, with the announcement of the creation of the Dennis Willows Director Professorship. "Your name will always be here," she said.
Willows has been with the labs in some capacity for almost half (42 years) of its 100 year history. He will do research after he steps down as director. Marjorie Kincaid Illman and her sister Dorothy Stapp are the only two people still living, who spent time at the original lab location. Until 1921 the labs were located in the vicinity of the present Capron's Landing. By the way, the sisters' father, Dr. Kincaid, had money left over after purchasing the property for the original location of the lab. He returned $125 to the University. | |
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Dennis Willows listens to the speakers.
Barbara Cable welcomed the crowd.
Five of Dr. Trevor Kincaid's, the first director of the Lab, six offspring attended the ceremony. Left to right: Dorothy Stapp, Thomas Kincaid, Barbara Leaf, Marjorie Kincaid, Mary Calapp. The sixth sibling, Kathleen Allen, was not at the ceremony.
As Director of the Labs, Dennis Willows, reported to UW Vice Provost Craig Hogan. The labs are not part of any school at the university. Research is done by scientists and students from many different disciplines.
William Ruckleshaus and Bill Gates, Sr. relaxed prior to the ceremonies. During his speech, Gates said third-graders participating in the K-12 partnership with the labs collect samples at Argyle Bay, the same lagoon where a future Nobel Prize winner conducted research in 1927. More information about Friday Harbor Labs is available on its WEB SITE |
UW President Mark Emmerts ended his first week as president in Friday Harbor. He commented on the "remarkable foresight" of the people 100 years ago.
Jerry Grinstein, president of the Board of Regents and CEO of Delta Airlines, first came to the labs 40 years ago. "It was smaller, but had the same quality of innovation," he said.
Lee Huntsman, president emeritus of UW, said the experential learning for undergrads has been "enormously successful."
State Senator Harriet Spanel called the San Juans the most beautiful legislative district in the state.
Arthur Whiteley (left) created the Helen Riaboff Whiteley Center, a space for study, thinking, and creativity at the labs. |
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Dennis Willows received a standing ovations after his keynote address. |
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