February 16, 2023
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Pending approval by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, the new interdisciplinary research facility located at 2255 Kenny Rd. in the university’s Carmenton innovation district will be named Pelotonia Research Center. The naming is in recognition of Pelotonia’s partnership and philanthropic support for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Since 2008, the Pelotonia ride community has raised more than $258 million, with every dollar earmarked for OSUCCC – James cancer research.
The Pelotonia Research Center is a five-story, 305,000 square-foot laboratory building that will be equipped with the spaces, technologies and resources needed for researchers to work across disciplines to accelerate new discoveries.
The center will feature laboratory neighborhoods focused on the creation of solutions for complex scientific problems. Neighborhoods will house scientists from across Ohio State colleges and focus on interrelated research themes in areas including gene- and cell-based therapies, cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine, neurological disease, microbiome, food systems and health, artificial intelligence, sensory biology, and social and environmental determinants of health. The center will also include a second home for the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, dedicated to studying the immune system’s role in fighting cancer, and the Center for Cancer Engineering.
“Ohio State is opening one of the most advanced research facilities in the world. The Pelotonia Research Center exemplifies the culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration between faculty, staff and students,” said Peter Mohler, vice president for research at Ohio State and chief scientific officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Further, this building will facilitate our goal of accelerating collaborations with industry, government and community partners, while providing a rich environment for education and training for our students.”
That ambition speaks to the critical mission behind Pelotonia. What started 15 years ago as a weekend bike ride to help fund cancer research has grown into one of the largest peer-to-peer fundraising organizations in the country.
“Our growing community is driven by one goal: to significantly increase the number of cancer survivors and end cancer once and for all. We are honored that the naming of this innovative and inspiring research facility pays tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Pelotonia riders, volunteers, fundraisers and donors who have supported cancer research at the OSUCCC – James. The groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary work happening inside the Pelotonia Research Center and in labs across the Ohio State campus will have a profound impact on cancer research and treatment. We are proud to be part of it,” said Doug Ulman, CEO of Pelotonia.
Pelotonia’s commitment to Ohio State is clear with 11 of the university’s 15 colleges receiving funding from the organization for cancer-related projects over the years.
“Pelotonia has long supported our goal of creating a cancer-free world — from the recruitment of world-class cancer researchers and the next generation of student researchers to idea grants, clinical trials and statewide initiatives,” said Dr. Carol R. Bradford, dean of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “By strategically placing these experts and initiatives together in the Pelotonia Research Center, our ability to accelerate interdisciplinary learning and discovery is limitless.”
In addition to the collaborative neighborhood features inside, researchers tackling critical societal needs will also take advantage of energizing outdoor spaces and close proximity to future developments at Carmenton.
“Scientific discovery at the OSUCCC – James simply would not be where it is today without Pelotonia and the enthusiastic, generous support from this amazing community. We’re continually humbled by and grateful for their passion for helping our researchers pursue our shared vision of a cancer-free world,” said Dr. Raphael Pollock, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. “This center will be an incubator of new ideas and collaborations, which Pelotonia continues to fuel.”
Pelotonia 2023 features Opening Ceremony on August 4, Ride Weekend on August 5–6, a new Gravel Day event on September 30, and the Impact Celebration in November. Riders, Volunteers and Challengers can sign up when registration opens on March 1.
The Pelotonia Research Center is expected to open this summer.
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Media Contact: Marti Leitch, Wexner Medical Center Media Relations
614-293-3737