Biodiversity laboratory in the Dominican Republic is dedicated

Ceremonies March 17 dedicated the new Cornell Biodiversity Laboratory at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, a facility on the east coast of the island of Hispaniola for research by undergraduates from the university and scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College's Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. In the top photo, following the dedication D.R. President Hipólito Mejía, left, toured student labs where junior biology major Juan Carlos Robles described his studies of plant-based medicines. Dignitaries also had a demonstration of the newly installed distance learning facility. Seated (above), from left, are U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel; D.R. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Frank Moya Pons; President Mejia; Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Susan Henry; and Ted Kheel, a Cornell alumnus, chairman of Grupo Punta Cana and philanthropist who funded construction of the laboratory and installation of the distance learning facility. Photographs by Manuel Cedeno