Life Sciences Building

Advancing scientific knowledge, Accelerating interdisciplinary research.

Rendition of Lifes Sciences Building

San Diego State University is the only R1 institution in the California State University system and the life sciences have long been a top research priority.

San Diego is one of the top biotech clusters in the country, with tens of thousands of life sciences jobs available. As one of the highest-paying and fastest growing sectors in the region, the local life sciences network needs our workforce ready students. As forerunners of generating knowledge, driving innovation and helping solve pressing global challenges, an institution like SDSU is well-positioned to meet demands for a strong biotech workforce and innovative life sciences solutions.

SDSU aims to further meet these needs through the construction of a new SDSU Life Sciences building which will train the next generations of life sciences professionals and enable breakthrough discoveries that benefit communities today and long into the future.

Male and female student looking at a petri dish.

In addition, the cutting edge science our researchers produce is essential to accelerating innovation in the biotech industry. This research provides valuable insight for understanding and combating health crises and environmental challenges, informing public health policy, and contributing to life-saving discoveries.

Female student in lab coat smiling while holding a pipette.

This facility is a symbol of the University's commitment to investing further in essential life sciences research and innovation that will contribute to societal well-being and ensure SDSU continues to lead in a rapidly advancing world.

Rendition of Lifes Sciences Building

Closeup of Jeff Roberts.

“Constructing a state-of-the-art Life Sciences building on the San Diego campus will ignite new opportunities for building a diverse STEM workforce, while solidifying the university’s position as a regional leader in innovative life sciences research and discovery. This marks a key step in San Diego State University’s STEM Forward initiative, dedicated to advancing STEM research and teaching across SDSU colleges and campuses in order to prepare our students for the workforce, stimulate development in the region and enact meaningful change in our community.”

Jeffrey T. Roberts, Ph.D.
Dean and Chemistry Professor, SDSU College of Sciences

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Training Future Generations
of Life Sciences Professionals

By investing in life sciences research and education, SDSU provides students with the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to thrive in fields that will shape the future.

Hands-on research opportunities – for which SDSU is already well known – and cutting-edge facilities as well as access to top researchers are among the reasons why SDSU is one of most high demand universities in the nation.

With state-of-the-art instructional and collaboration spaces, the new life sciences building will provide students with opportunities to actively engage in research, discovery and innovation during their time at SDSU. This comprehensive, real-world education will prepare our students to tackle the world’s most complex medical and health challenges after graduation.

Four students standing around counter with laptops discussing with Dr. Homayouni.

Enabling Innovation and Discovery

Closeup of male faculty and female student in labcoats with blue gloves looking at a Petri dish.

SDSU is an important center of knowledge creation for our region and state, and the new building will allow the University to continue to lead the way. The facility will provide cutting-edge laboratory spaces to support life sciences research that builds the foundation for future scientific and technological developments in fields such as medicine and biotechnology. SDSU already enjoys a highly collaborative environment, which allows our researchers to accelerate the pace of discovery and application. This new building will provide the space needed to facilitate innovation in cross-disciplinary domains including bioinformatics, genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

This expanded STEM infrastructure is also critical for advancing SDSU research on key areas such as cancer, infectious diseases and chronic conditions. By better understanding the biological mechanisms behind widespread health issues, our researchers directly contribute to the development of more precise, personalized treatments, as well as the discovery of new therapies and cures. By investing in life sciences research, universities like SDSU can foster innovation that leads to startups, patents and industry partnerships, driving regional and national economic growth in this rapidly growing sector.

Life Sciences in Action at SDSU

SDSU’s life sciences teaching and research cover a range of specialties, with leading experts making waves in their fields while spreading knowledge in the classroom and benefiting local communities.

Dr. Cristal Zuniga

is an assistant biology professor working on an innovative, NASA-funded project aimed at developing sustainable, algae-infused guacamole to add more variety to astronauts’ diets while providing essential nutrients for long-duration space journeys.

Dr. Richard Cripps

serves as the Chair of the Biology Department and uses fruit flies to uncover the basic mechanisms of muscle development to better understand and treat human diseases affecting the heart and skeletal muscles.

Laura Sisk-Hackworth

Want to Support SDSU’s STEM Infrastructure?

Contributions from donors have been essential to facilitating SDSU life sciences research dedicated to improved health care, community health and sustainability efforts.

By investing in this priority effort set by SDSU and the CSU, donors make important contributions that will inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, empowering students with the education and skills needed to address medical, environmental and technological challenges.

A large percent of local students attending schools with which SDSU has existing partnerships go on to study and pursue careers in STEM, including the life sciences. As a result, donors not only contribute to SDSU but future generations of research scientists, pharmaceutical scientists, environmental scientists, and specialists in health care, public health and natural resources.