Advanced Science Lab

HILBERT’S NEW ADVANCED SCIENCE LAB:

A look inside

Thanks to seven local community and corporate foundations and several individual donors, Hilbert students are learning chemistry in a spacious, modern, fully-equipped laboratory . Aimed at providing new lab space to support upperlevel chemistry offerings including organic chemistry and biochemistry for Forensic Science majors, the expansion will also free up the existing physical chemistry lab space, allowing Hilbert to offer physics courses for the first time in Fall 2021 . Dr . Habibul Bakht, assistant professor of biological sciences, said it perfectly, “We are deeply grateful to our donors for their generous support to enrich Hilbert’s science lab with modern equipment and facilities . This upgrade will support the growth of future science programs, including pre-professional sciences at Hilbert . ” The new lab is equipped with five new chemical fume hoods, modern chemistry and organic chemistry teaching instruments, equipment, apparatus, molecular models, chemical and reagent cabinets, storage cabinets for flammable and volatile compounds and a smartboard for interactive audiovisual display . The hoods feature gas, vacuum, air outlets and a waste collection unit, so hazardous chemical wastes can be safely collected in a designated container during the organic synthesis of chemical compounds .

Hilbert’s first cohort of organic chemistry students have already started enjoying these facilities in the new lab to enhance their handson learning experience, which would not have been possible before the renovation . According to Dr . Roberto Ma . Gregorius, visiting professor, chemistry, “Even something as basic to a trained organic chemist such as setting up a distillation apparatus to separate two liquids of differing boiling points – best learned by actually setting up the apparatus and distilling a mixture of liquids – could not have been an option without the equipment and space we have now . I believe chemistry students should not be allowed to graduate unless they’ve broken a piece of glassware or had to suddenly pull away from touching glassware the student has forgotten was hot . ”

Although COVID restrictions prevented a formal celebratory dedication of the new lab, Hilbert is recognizing the donors who helped fund this significant and essential project for our students. Hilbert is thrilled to have this lab open and operational, and looks forward to having guests and donors experience this new space in the future .

DONORS:

The John R . Oishei Foundation The Margaret L . Wendt Foundation Russo Family Charitable Foundation Vincent & Harriet Palisano

Foundation M&T Bank Foundation The Garman Family Foundation KeyBank Foundation