On Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, STRI celebrated the groundbreaking for the new research campus in the community of Gamboa, in Panama’s Colon Province. In the photo: STRI Director, Eldredge Bermingham; STRI Advisory Board Founding Member, Frank Levinson; Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Wayne Clough; Acting Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Panama, Mayra Arosemena; STRI Advisory Board Founding Member, Steven Hoch, and Smithsonian benefactor, Lisina Hoch.

Representatives of the Government of Panama: Mayra Arosemena, Acting Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tomás Guardia, Director of International Entities; the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., Wayne Clough; Undersecretary for Science, Eva Pell; other Smithsonian Institution staff and members of the Smithsonian National Board and the STRI Advisory Board were in attendance.

The new campus will strengthen the synergy and productivity between staff and visiting scientists from around the world, who study the Republic of Panama’s exceptionally rich flora and fauna and will contribute to the increase of our knowledge of global change and biodiversity.

From this new campus, scientists will conduct studies to generate new knowledge that will help to respond to questions such as: How do plants respond to environmental stress? Which native tree species are best for smart reforestation projects? Why are butterflies so abundant? How do bats perceive the world?, and Why are the world’s frogs disappearing?

Because of its location at the confluence of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal, and at the edge of Soberania National Park, the campus will complement international scientific research projects underway on Barro Colorado Island in Gatun Lake.

“The project to develop a campus in Gamboa has been possible thanks to support from the government of the Republic of Panama, through all of its offices, representatives and authorities,” said Eldredge Bermingham, STRI’s director. “This investment in Gamboa is proof of the trust and commitment that the Smithsonian has maintained with Panama as a result of our excellent, close relationship throughout our 100 year presence on the Isthmus.”