Phoenix Barrow Neuro Analytics Center builds medical corridor narrative
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Barrow Neurological Institute is partnering with Plaza Companies and Holualoa Companies to develop a 10,000-square-foot dry laboratory at Park Central, development officials say will further establish Phoenix as a destination center for medical discovery.
Investigative work at the Barrow Neuro Analytics Center will span nearly all categories of neurologic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS), vascular diseases (stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage), headache and pain disorders, epilepsy, neuroinflammatory disorders (MS), and malignant brain tumors), according to a press release.
The new facility will be found in the Lieb building at Park Central, between Barrow’s main campus and Creighton University Medical School. When fully occupied, the space will house eight to 10 principal investigators, each with their respective support staff to create a neurological disease research center.
The laboratory will house offices and work stations as well as two large open tables for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to foster collaboration among the 56 full-time employees and 16 student trainees expected be on site.
It is partially funded by a $1 million grant from the federal government secured with the help of Senator Krysten Sinema, development officials report. also, Barrow also received ARPA funding with a $10 million grant through the Arizona Governor’s Office to fund a study of COVID-19’s effect on Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
“This new laboratory is an incredible addition to the bioscience infrastructure we are creating at Park Central and the Phoenix Medical Quarter,” said Sharon Harper, chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “This will further cement Park Central’s impact on the area and create extraordinary opportunities and workforce training for our future healthcare leaders from Creighton University, ASU and UA.”
Phoenix Barrow Neuro Analytics Center builds medical corridor narrative
The Barrow Neuro Analytics Center will provide a training and collaboration setting for students from Creighton University Medical School, Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona College of Medicine to build research capacity in Phoenix.
Research areas of investigation will include environmental epidemiology, advanced neuroimaging, global health, neurologic drug development — computer modeling and investigator-initiated trials — health services, health equity, and data science focusing on administrative data and electronic health record research.
“We are thrilled to be opening our new research laboratory in Park Central,” says Dr. Brad Racette, chairman of Neurology and senior VP at Barrow Neurological Institute. “The design of the complex speaks to the vision for this laboratory to be a center for innovation at the intersection of technology and data science. The strategic positioning between Barrow Neurological Institute and Creighton University Medical School will further enhance the research education mission of both organizations.”
Plaza Companies and Tucson’s Holualoa Companies have teamed up to redevelop Park Central into a vibrant destination, which once was the city’s first official large-scale shopping mall. The companies have transitioned the expansive space from a retail center to an almost 500,000-square-foot bustling community hub ideal for playing, working, congregating and celebrating the arts.
“We are very pleased to welcome this new addition to the Barrow Neurological Institute footprint to Park Central,” said Stan Shafer, COO for Holualoa Companies. “We are excited about the impact Park Central is having on the medical and research communities in Phoenix, and it is gratifying to see such an influx of bioscience work in the heart of the city.”
