Michael Baker provided electrical engineering services for San Diego County’s Public Health Laboratory, a $93 million facility located at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa. This 52,000-square-foot, two-story building replaces an outdated laboratory with a modern, all-electric design, one of the first of its kind in California.
The laboratory is equipped to improve testing for infectious diseases, monitor food and water safety and detect dangerous pathogens. Advanced technologies include whole genome sequencing and tuberculosis diagnostics, supporting rapid and accurate public health responses. The facility also features a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) research suite, enabling high-containment work for critical pathogen studies.
Beyond its testing capabilities, the laboratory serves as a regional hub for public health initiatives. It is designated as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory for San Diego and Imperial counties and functions as a training center for public health microbiologists and hospital partners.
Michael Baker’s role focused on delivering electrical systems that support the building’s specialized operations, including power distribution for sensitive equipment and emergency backup systems to ensure uninterrupted functionality in critical scenarios.
