Dear UCSF Community,

I am very pleased to share with you the news that the UC Regents approved last week UCSF’s plans for moving forward with a new research and academic building at Parnassus Heights—a new hub for our scientific, academic, and education community.

Designed by world-renowned architects HGA and Snøhetta, the new Parnassus Research and Academic Building (PRAB) will foster greater collaboration between our scientists, health care professionals, staff, and learners in driving groundbreaking biomedical research and life-saving treatments. The building will house our top-ranked School of Nursing and cutting-edge research programs on diabetes, cancer, immunology, and cell biology.

Plans for Parnassus Heights also call for creating more public open spaces, a “park to peak” pathway that connects Golden Gate Park to the top of the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, and a new promenade landscaped with native plantings. You can read more about our plans in this news story.

With the construction of the PRAB on the west end of campus and the new hospital at UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights on the east end, we are making good progress in realizing our 30-year vision to modernize our oldest campus and continue serving our community for decades to come.

I thank the many teams involved in helping us gain the Regents’ approval of the PRAB. This is an important milestone in our Comprehensive Parnassus Heights Plan, which will help us establish a stronger foundation for delivering our integrated mission across research, education, and health care delivery.

Sincerely,

Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor
Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock Distinguished Professor