Grand opening set for Oak Park Research Building

Top scientists from the National Science Foundation, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and UC Davis will give students from St. HOPE Academy, the school founded by NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, a tour of the UC Davis Health System's Oak Park Research Building during the building's grand opening events on Monday, Jan. 30, from 9 to 10 a.m.

The $20 million building at 2700 Stockton Blvd. houses the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology, the only National Science Foundation-funded center focused on the use of light in biology and medicine. Part of the center's mission is to spark an interest in science in young people so they can become tomorrow's science and technology leaders. Students from St. HOPE and other area schools will have opportunities for internships and other learning experiences at the center.

About 60 St. HOPE students with an interest in science and medicine will tour laboratories with scientists including Nathaniel G. Pitts from the National Science Foundation in Virginia.