Recognizing the Legacy of Discovery

With more than a third of all students passing through the Department of Biology, the University of Washington is home to the largest STEM program in Washington State. The institution’s research and studies across the life sciences have been a major driving force in modern medicine – a powerhouse now housed in a new state-of-the-art facility on campus.

In the 1970s, researchers Ben Hall and Gustav Ammerer conducted pioneering research on Hepatitis B at the university, ultimately making groundbreaking progress. What began as basic research on the virus resulted in the world’s first genetically-engineered vaccine against a human disease – a discovery that changed the future of biotechnology and medicine.

In partnership with Perkins&Will, we designed a donor recognition display for the facility’s main lobby that recognizes the contributions of these scientists and their impact that makes ongoing research in the new facility possible. We used one central theme: “Discovery Starts Here.”

What began as basic research on the virus resulted in the world’s first genetically-engineered vaccine against a human disease>

This recognition was made as a permanent display case in the main entry commons, named in honor of Ben Hall and his wife Margaret. The display case design is structured like a scientific poster.

The content of the “poster” conveys the history of the scientists’ discovery and the legacy it charted for vaccine development. The graphics in the display use microscopic imagery of the Hepatitis virus, capturing attention from afar and creating intrigue. Both pay respect to these individuals’ contributions, and present an inspiring story to motivate continued research.

Together, the display recognizes the tremendous accomplishments of these researchers and the contributions that made the new facility possible. It’s a way to honor an inspiring story, one that’s empowering discoveries yet to come.

Published on 17 November 2023