FINAL_AFHU_News_11.4.20

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
AFHU NEWS VOL. 25 PAGE 17
Brad and Sheryl Schwartz Donate $1
Million to Fund High-Level Safety Lab for
Coronavirus Research
Brad and Sheryl Schwartz of Great Falls, Virginia, have
donated $1 million to help build a top-level bio-safety
lab, the first of its kind dedicated to non-governmental
research in Israel. The lab will assist researchers at
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in deconstructing
the virus that causes COVID-19.
The $1 million gift from the Schwartzes is a major
first step toward funding a biocontainment level 3
(BSL3) national laboratory, which will enable directcontact
research with the live virus, rather than virus
components used in current labs. The projected
cost for this lab, which will feature low air pressure,
filtration systems, custom protective gear and an
animal research wing is over $5 million.
Brad and Sheryl Schwartz are longtime supporters
of AFHU’s mission on behalf of Hebrew University
and leaders in technology and innovation. They are
founders of Blue Canopy, a large data analytics
and cybersecurity services firm, which in 2017 was
acquired by Jacobs Engineering. A former U.S. Air
Force officer, Brad served as group Executive Vice
President/COO for BearingPoint and regional Vice
President with Oracle Corporation and both Brad and
Sheryl held top-level positions at KPMG Consulting.
Sheryl began her career as a CPA for KPMG where
she supported a variety of publicly and privately held
companies both in an audit capacity as well as due
diligence and advisory roles in acquisition and public
offerings. She serves as the Vice President of the
Mid-Atlantic Region of AFHU and is a member of its
national Board of Directors.
“In addition to its world-class learning environment,
Hebrew University is one of the world’s leading
institutions in converting scientific research into
practical applications for the world,” said Brad.
Sheryl adds, “By building a BSL3 facility, Hebrew
University will be able to continue engaging in
cutting-edge research to develop solutions to
lethal or infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2.
This is important for the biotech industry, Israel, and
the world.”
The Hebrew University’s broad program in response
to the pandemic marshals academics in microbiology,
immunology, epidemiology, nanotechnology, computer
science, chemistry and physics in the race for a
vaccine, treatments and knowledge to stem the
disease, which has already infected more than 24
million people worldwide.