Case Western Reserve University opens new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building
The university received a $50 million gift from Roger and Kayoko Susi toward the project. The building, which opened on October 21, 2026, has been named the Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building.
Case Western Reserve University has opened its new Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building. The building, which opened on October 21, 2026, was named thanks to a $50 million gift from Roger and Kayoko Susi toward the project. The Susis originally gave the project $25 million back in 2023, were inspired by the vision for the building, and gave $25 million more. Their $50 million gift grew to have a $100 million impact, thanks to the university’s century bond program.
According to an article on Case Western Reserve University’s website, University President and Morton L. Mandel Presidential Chair Eric W. Kaler was quoted as saying of the couple’s generosity, “Roger and Kayoko were among the first to support this building and to fully embrace our vision for its mission and impact on our research enterprise. We are proud to name the Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building in their honor. Their gift is truly transformational—for the Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building, for the researchers and students working in the Susi Building labs, and, importantly, for the life-changing outcomes made possible by the innovation and discovery that will occur here.”
The Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building is a place for STEM-oriented teams to work together to find solutions to complex challenges. The building is 189,000 square feet and houses wet labs, dry labs, and a core lab. Inside these areas, interdisciplinary teams will be working in seven “clusters” known as James M. Galm, PhD, PE Electrochemical Engineering & Energy Science; Advanced Materials & Manufacturing; Molecular Therapeutics; Precision; Diagnostics & Therapeutics; NeuroTechnology; NeuroRobotics; and Climate & Ecosystem Science.
Roger Susi is an entrepreneur and the founder of medical startups. His current company Iradimed is known for its MRI infusion pump, which is the first vital-signs-monitoring device for MRI patients in the world. He has continued to support Case Western Reserve University over the years since his graduation from the Case Institute of Technology in 1977. He gave the university $2 million in 2019 to establish the Roger E. Susi First-Year Engineering Experience, which is the foundation for a full-year introductory course that all engineering majors must take.
The Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building, with a total price tag of $300 million, was made possible through philanthropic support from many individuals and organizations. Donors gave a total of $165 million and the rest was matched with the university’s century bond program. Donations of $5 million or more were recognized with named spaces within the new building. These include Tinkham Veale Gateway ($20M); The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation Terrace ($15M); James M. Galm, PhD, PE Electrochemical Engineering & Energy Science Research Cluster (plus professorships) ($10M); Eric & Jane Nord Family Floor ($8M); Brittan & Fred DiSanto Family Forum ($7M); Timken Foundation Grand Atrium ($5M); Aarti & Asheem Chandna Roof Terrace ($5M); and the Case Alumni Association Legacy Wall ($5M).
At the grand opening of the Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building, the university announced its new $2.5 billion comprehensive campaign called Breakthrough Point. Roger and Kayoko Susi will serve as campaign cabinet members, and their $50 million gift was the second lead gift to the campaign, following the $125 million combined gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation.
Fred DiSanto (WRC ’85, MGT ’86) is co-chairing the campaign alongside his wife, Brittan. He said of the new campaign, “We’re grateful to partner with others who care about CWRU as much as we do. Roger and Kayoko’s ongoing commitment to pushing the university forward is exactly how we can support our students and faculty in breakthroughs across industries, and give back to an institution that has such a positive influence on our lives.”
The Breakthrough Point campaign has three main pillars: preparing the leaders of tomorrow, powering innovation to impact, and advancing health and well-being. These pillars will be advanced through the work done at the Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building.
For more information about Case Western Reserve University, visit the school’s website.