CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI Department of Biology has received a $412,905 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust to enhance, modernize and expand its Anatomy and Physiology I and II laboratories.

The funding will support the purchase of new anatomical models for the labs, as well as two additional SynDaver synthetic human cadavers — life-like models that provide students with a realistic, hands-on anatomy experience. These improvements will help the department accommodate growing enrollment, particularly with the recent launch of UNI’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

“This generous support from the Carver Trust will enhance how we teach anatomy and physiology,” said Peter Berendzen, head of the Department of Biology. “It allows us to expand capacity, integrate new technology and provide more experiential, clinically relevant lab experiences for students preparing for careers in health care and medicine.”

The department received separate funding from the university to renovate both the Anatomy and Physiology I and II laboratories, where this new equipment will be housed. Those renovations are already underway. When complete, the project will allow for larger class sections, new lab exercises and a curriculum better aligned with current professional and clinical standards.

“We’re incredibly thankful to the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust for supporting our vision to enhance anatomy and physiology education at UNI,” said Berendzen. “This investment directly benefits our students and strengthens Iowa’s future health care workforce.”

Earlier this year, the Carver Trust reached a milestone of $25 million in total giving to UNI, improving the institution’s teaching and learning facilities as well as supporting UNI students through the Carver Scholars program.

About the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust is one of the largest private philanthropic foundations in the state of Iowa with assets of more than $350 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $15 million. It was created through the will of Roy J. Carver, a Muscatine industrialist and philanthropist, who died in 1981.

Since the beginning of its grant-making activities in 1987, over $450 million has been distributed in the form of some 2,200 individual grants. Biomedical and scientific research; primary, secondary and higher education; and other issues related to the needs of youth are the program areas of greatest interest to the Carver Charitable Trust.