Green Research Building

Why was a center dedicated to reproductive biology established at UT Southwestern Medical Center? The Green Research Building, specifically the Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, stands as a testament to a unique vision. In the 1970s, UT Southwestern was undergoing a transformation. A new building project fostered collaboration and multidisciplinary research. Dr. Paul C. MacDonald, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology, shared a vision with his predecessor, Dr. Jack A. Pritchard. They aimed to improve women’s health care, reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes, and provide family planning services. This vision led to the proposal for a Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences in 1972. The proposal was accepted, with Dr. MacDonald as its director. In 1974, Cecil and Ida Green, philanthropists who supported the medical school’s expansion, had the center and an endowed chair named in their honor. The Green Center initially focused on women’s reproductive health research. Under Dr. David L. Garbers, the Green Center expanded to include male reproductive physiology. Later, under Dr. W. Lee Kraus, it reaffirmed its ties to Obstetrics and Gynecology, bridging research and patient care. Today, the Green Research Building and its center address fundamental questions about reproduction, development, and gene regulation. Their work touches upon areas like oocyte maturation, fertilization, pregnancy, and parturition. It also extends to related fields like endocrinology, oncology, stem cells, and immunology. The Green Center employs cutting-edge tools, from biochemistry and molecular biology to genomics and computational biology. Ida Green’s simple yet profound statement, “Better babies make better people,” encapsulates the center’s mission. The Green Research Building stands as a beacon of hope, dedicated to improving the quality of life for generations to come.