Thad Cochran National Center for Natural Products Research - The University of Mississippi Phase I

The Cochran Center serves as a hub for primary research in the utilization of natural products, fostering collaboration among academia, government, and private industry. Its mission is to integrate the research, development, and commercialization of natural products for both human and animal health. The facility is specifically designed to accommodate the investigation of unknown chemical and biological compounds while ensuring the containment of potentially hazardous elements. Prioritizing safety and research integrity played a central role in shaping the design.

The laboratory wing includes specialized bio-safety work areas, entomology and environmental chambers, synthetic chemistry labs, cold storage labs, a scientific library, and dedicated research areas for agronomy and microbiology.

In addition to supporting advanced laboratory research, the Cochran Center also serves as the administrative center for science and research initiatives and includes large instructional and learning spaces to support education and outreach.

The facility was developed in phases to align with funding availability. The design and construction strategy consisted of two primary phases and eleven construction packages delivered over a 25-year period.

Phase 1 was completed in joint venture with Laboratory Research Group in 2000.