Science Center Expansion has UC looking toward the future: Connor Yingling ‘22

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Science Center Expansion has UC looking toward the future: Connor Yingling ‘22

Connor Yingling '22 stands outside the under construction science center expansion.

“I think it shows that Utica College is not just looking at our present but also at the future of the institution and its incoming students.”

With a professor of nursing, or as he calls her, ‘mom,’ in the family, Connor Yingling ‘22 is no stranger to the sights and sounds of Utica College. However, the biology major (with a healthcare ethics minor) is leaving his own mark through research he hopes will only grow once the expansion to the Gordon Science Center is complete.

“After graduating at Utica College, I plan on attending the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine dental school to continue my goal of becoming a dentist,” he explains. “I have been grateful for all the wonderful professors in the biology department here at Utica College. Every single one cares for all of their students' success and presents us students with every opportunity to achieve our goals.”

Yingling is currently working with Dr. Lawrence Aaronson on research regarding the effects of macrolide antibiotics on Pseudomonas uticensis, the novel bacterium discovered here at UC and is excited about the prospect of a new designated space dedicated just to science pursuits.

“Many of the current science labs could use a refresher so this new science building is really exciting to see,” he says. “By the time the new Science Center is completed my senior year, I hope to have some classes in the new building and utilize the new facilities in order to achieve my degree. The new state of the art labs will be very useful for a lot of research projects.”

The 22,000-25,000 square-foot building connects to the Gordon Science Center and Romano Hall (the health sciences building) and upon completion will contain new, state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms for Utica College science classes.

In a time when many colleges and businesses have had to put construction on hold, Utica College continues with multiple construction projects such as the science center expansion.Yingling says that as a UC student here, that feels pretty good.

“I think it shows that Utica College is not just looking at our present but also at the future of the institution and its incoming students,” he says. “I think the new Science Center and the proposed construction of the new recreation field will bring immense benefits to the school, its students, and the community through improving its education and athletics.”