Huck History

In 1983, the concept for the university's Biotechnology Institute is initially conceived. The institute is built on a three-phase plan: 1) renovating North Frear Building, 2) constructing a new facility, and 3) building a modern pilot plant.

Rohm and Haas is a key early founder, donating $100,000. J. Lloyd and Dorothy Huck provide early philanthropic support for the Wartik Building.

On August 31st, 1984, the Department of Public Information issues a press release officially announcing Dr. Jean E. Brenchley’s appointment as Professor of Microbiology and head of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology.

Dean Thomas Wartik notes the university is extremely fortunate to attract someone with her academic and industrial experience. Dr. Brenchley officially arrives at Penn State to head the institute and becomes the College of Science’s first woman department head. Before accepting, she calls her nephew — a current student — to ensure he wouldn't feel “invaded” by having his aunt on campus. She is also named to advisory committees for the National Academy of Sciences and the American Chemical Society, and the Advisory Board for the Enzyme Engineering conferences.

In May 1985, Dr. Stephen J. Benkovic (chemistry) is nominated to hold the first College of Science chair. He and Doctor William T. Sanders (anthropology), are also elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Concurrently, Dr. Wesley C. Hymer (biochemistry) analyzes pituitary tissue samples flown aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Later that year, the official site-dedication ceremony is held for the $8.8 million, 50,000 square foot Biotechnology Institute/Classroom Building (later Wartik Lab). Speakers include President Bryce Jordan, Obie Snider, Governor Dick Thornburgh, and Dr. Brenchley.

During the ceremony, officials use a large gene-splicing prop made of colored tubing to demonstrate recombinant DNA to the crowd. Brenchley reads a custom poem to thank the physical plant staff.

On January 16th, 1986, Dr. Brenchley addresses the board of directors of the Center County Industrial Development Corporation, highlighting her efforts to bridge the gap between the university and local industry. In April 1989, The Daily Collegian highlights interdisciplinary research at the Institute, including Dr. Robert Matthews (protein folding) and the collaboration between Dr. Richard Arteca and Dr. Allen Phillips to purify the ACC synthase enzyme to control Plant ripening.

In January 1990, the Bioprocessing Resource Center Pilot Plant facility is officially completed. That same year, the institute grows to include over 80 scientists from five colleges collaborating with industry.

From 1991 to 1993, under President Joab Thomas and Provost John Brighton, the university faces a fiscal crisis and mandates 10% budget cuts. The Future Committee is formed to draft a strategic plan. Committee member, Eva Pell, writes, “Life sciences in the 21st century will be what physics was in the 20th.” A subsequent life sciences study group recommends unifying the university's scattered life sciences programs.

During that same time period, Director Arthur Humphrey floats the idea of closing the Center for Computational Biology due to an $80,000 deficit. This sparks a massive letter-writing campaign from over 30 faculty members defending the facility and its manager, Dr. Randy Zauhar. A master list reveals the CCB supported 219 users across dozens of departments.

On November 20th, 1992, Dr. Arthur Humphrey submits a strategic plan to transform the Biotechnology Institute into a fully operational intercollege research program.

In 1995, under new president, Graham Spanier, Dr. Nina V. Fedoroff is hired to lead the Biotechnology Institute and found the Life Sciences Consortium. In 1996, the Life Sciences Consortium is officially established to promote interdisciplinary research and develop innovative graduate programs. The early biotech instruments evolve into the modern core facilities.

In spring of 2001, Science Journal highlights Penn State's Astrobiology Research Center, one of only five in the nation receiving NASA support. The article features the interdisciplinary extremophile research of Dr. Brenchley (psychrophiles), Dr. Greg Ferry (methane-producing anaerobes), and Dr. Blair Hedges (evolutionary biology).

In 2002, reflecting its expanding scope and significant philanthropic support, the Consortium is officially renamed the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. Eva Pell pitched the naming to President Spanier. Lloyd Huck requested an office in the building to mentor students, and later pledged roughly $20 million from his estate to the program.

That same year, C. Channa Reddy becomes director of the Huck Institutes.

In 2004, Dr. Brenchley and Dr. Vanya I. Mateva announce the discovery of ultra-small microbes (Chryseobacterium greenlandensis), surviving in a 120,000 year old Greenland glacier ice core, sparking massive international media coverage.

In 2006, Peter J. Hudson becomes director of the Huck Institutes.

In fall of 2008, a massive national research effort into Colony Collapse Disorder, CCD, in honeybees, is led by Penn State researchers Diana Cox-Foster, Maryann Frazier, and Dennis van Engelsdorp. Haagen-Dazs donates $150,000 to the program.

In 2011, the Huck Institutes join the Materials Research Institute in opening the state-of-the-art Millennium Science Complex. The 297,000 square foot building was built to further an interdisciplinary approach to research, serving as a metaphorical and physical confluence of the two research units.

In 2012, Penn State's Board of Trustees honors the Huck's nearly $44 million lifetime investment by renaming the J. Lloyd and Dorothy Foer Huck Life Sciences Building.

In 2019, Andrew F. Read becomes director of the Huck Institutes.

That same year, the University Faculty Senate and President Eric Barron initiate a task force to create a sustainable funding model for Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs (IGDPs), highlighting Huck as a highly successful model. The report is submitted in 2021.

On July 9th, 2019, Dr. Jean E. Brenchley passes away. Her memorial service is held on August 31st, 2019, celebrating her life, research, and passion for fly fishing.

In 2024, Troy Ott serves as Interim/Acting Director, followed by Patrick Drew.

On March 15, 2025, Christina Grozinger becomes director of the Huck Institutes.

In 2012, the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences begins an era of rapid expansion of research programs, seed funding and graduate education. Supported by multiple NIH T32 grants, the Huck Institutes now host six Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs, with around 250 students enrolled at a time.