93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Missouri’s governor predicts the $20-million expansion of the MU Research Reactor (MURR) in Columbia will change the world in the future.
Governor Mike Parson tells reporters he’s thrilled that the three-story addition will expand MURR’s research and medical isotope production space. Governor Parson describes it as cutting-edge technology, adding it will save lives.
“When you look and now we can send this medicine all over the world, where it used to you had to go to just certain locations to be able to obtain it. Now you’ve got the opportunity to send this anywhere in the world to help people all over the world. And I think it’s much bigger than just MU or the state of Missouri,” Parson says.
A few hundred people braved the blazing sun and 90-degree-plus temperatures for Monday afternoon’s groundbreaking ceremony. MURR executive director Matt Sanford says 1.6 million patients benefit from the medical isotopes produced at MURR every year.
The expansion, which is underway, is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024.
The UM Board of Curators chair is praising the $20-million expansion. Michael Williams spoke at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, noting MURR is nation’s only producer of four medical isotopes used in lifesaving treatments for liver, thyroid, pancreatic and prostate cancer. Governor Mike Parson, who appointed Mr. Williams to the board, also spoke at the ceremony. Governor Parson tells reporters that the expansion will boost research and will save lives.
“You’re going to have top researchers all over the world wanting to come here (Columbia) to be able to be part of that. So as long as we keep building onto that (the MURR), you’re going to have more research done, you’re going to have more opportunities to save a lot of people’s lives. And at the end of the day, I can’t imagine any higher calling than just being part of saving people’s lives all over the world. And it’s great to have it here on MU,” says Parson.
MURR’s approximately 300 employees stood in the shade and listened to the remarks from the podium. Numerous Missouri lawmakers from both parties attended, including State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) and State Reps. Adrian Plank, Doug Mann and Kathy Steinhoff (all D-Columbia) and Deb Lavender (D-Kirkwood).
The UM System president predicts the three-story expansion of the MURR will drive more research that will improve and save lives. Dr. Mun Choi, who spoke at Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, tells 939 the Eagle that the project will increase radioisotope productions.
“Because we’re now able to complete this project and also provide the life-saving treatment to Missourians first and then the rest of Americans in this country. And this is a treatment that only we can provide, that very special medical isotope. So it’s a very big day,” President Choi says.
Boone County commissioners Kip Kendrick, Justin Aldred and Janet Thompson attended the groundbreaking ceremony as well. Governor Parson visited with Presiding Commissioner Kendrick at the ceremony.
