Top-ranked university expands into The Northeast Science & Technology Center

NJIT expands research facilities into Merck’s former research headquarters KENILWORTH, N.J. , April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Northeast Science and Technology (NEST) Center is officially the research home to four professors and 26 students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). These postgraduate and undergraduate students now have access to world-class laboratory space to conduct research in photonics, biomaterials, environmental science, and sustainable technologies. NJIT recently leased 25,000 square feet of this state-of-the-art facility, which was once Merck’s global research headquarters, providing space for STEM students to: Develop novel imaging and photoresponsive materials to study pathological processes Create polymeric systems for drug delivery and gene therapy Innovate chemical recycling strategies for consumer plastics Investigate water–particulate interactions that govern the fate of contaminants to design sustainable solutions for global environmental challenges “By becoming the first academic partner at NEST, NJIT is achieving a significant milestone in the creation of a life science, technology, and pharmaceutical research hub,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “Our researchers and students will utilize the facility to explore cutting-edge fields, including life sciences, biomedical engineering, biology, material science and engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, computing, and artificial intelligence. And the NJIT @ NEST Center for Translational Research will expand upon our track record of translating fundamental research into products and services that benefit humanity while also expanding New Jersey’s economy and strengthening its technological workforce.” Lim noted NJIT’s environmental engineering research program has been able to grow its environmental systems modeling, water and wastewater treatment, site remediation, and environmental impact analysis studies on the Newark campus since moving research teams … Full story available on Benzinga.com