About
The Integrative Sciences Initiative is reimagining science teaching and research, positioning NC State as a leader in molecular science.
What Is the Integrative Sciences Initiative?
At NC State, we understand that complex challenges are not resolved in siloes. We regularly foster opportunities for faculty and students from various disciplines to work together. Our latest interdisciplinary endeavor, the Integrative Sciences Initiative (ISI), will unite the molecular sciences in Woodson Hall, a brand-new building set to open in early 2027.
Woodson Hall will house about 20 leaders in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics. Together, they will transform the way NC State teaches molecular science — incorporating various scientific disciplines into inquiry-driven courses — and make breakthroughs in molecular science alongside their students.
Academics
ISI courses will incorporate various science disciplines and take an inquiry-driven approach.
Research
ISI is developing the next generation of molecules to create new medicines and materials.
Commercialization
At ISI, molecular discoveries are only the beginning. We turn them into market-ready products.
A Hub for Molecular Innovation
Giving Students a Competitive Edge
At ISI, we’re creating a new kind of learning experience for students who want to cure diseases and create sustainable materials. In Woodson Hall, classes will be far from typical. Mathematics courses, for instance, will integrate elements of biology, physics and other disciplines to help students grasp how various fields intersect in industry settings. Students will take these courses in classrooms designed to encourage collaboration and hands-on problem solving.
Once students master the basics of molecular science, they’ll work alongside their professors on research related to health and sustainability. Our faculty are leaders in their respective disciplines, and in Woodson Hall, they share lab spaces and equipment. This unique setup allows students to conduct studies across four to five different disciplines within the same building. The goal is for research groups in the building to more quickly discover new molecules and their best practical applications.
Leading NC State Into the Future
ISI will take NC State’s existing interdisciplinary strengths and efforts to the next level, increasing their impact on health and sustainability. We know that solving the world’s greatest challenges requires the latest technology and the brightest researchers. In Woodson Hall, the hub of ISI, we’ll have both.
Woodson Hall will be one of the only buildings in the U.S. with a focus on self-driving labs. The use of artificial intelligence to run experiments remotely and more accurately, and to analyze results, will allow scientists to make discoveries more quickly — while giving students with disabilities more opportunities to be involved in lab work.
With the help of our advisory board, which includes industry partners, we’ll ensure that the research we conduct and the content and skills training we provide to our students remain aligned with industry needs.
Support Students and Science
