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New Haven, Conn., Dec. 11, 2006 – The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and CURE (Connecticut United for Research Excellence) announced today the awarding of $5,000 fellowships to ten area college students to help prepare them for careers in the bioscience industry.

The students, from the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven and Wesleyan University, will conduct independent research projects on campus or in an industry setting. Results of the research will be presented at StemCONN 07, Connecticut’s Stem Cell Research International Symposium, to be held at the State Capitol Building on March 27, 2007.

Selected on the basis of academic achievement, enthusiasm for laboratory science and interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or biomedical manufacturing industry, the winners are:

• Dan Austin of Williston, VT, a student at Wesleyan University studying molecular biology and biochemistry

• Danielle Caroccia of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, a student at the University of New Haven studying chemistry and forensic science

• Matthew Donne of Litchfield, CT, a student at Wesleyan University studying biology

• Justin David Fair of Vernon, CT, a student at the University of Connecticut studying chemistry.

• Tracey Friss of Naugatuck, CT, a student at the University of Connecticut studying chemistry

• Jenna Gopilan of Los Angeles, CA, a student at Wesleyan University studying neuroscience and behavior

• Randy Jackson of Willimantic, CT, a student at the University of Connecticut chemistry

• Gary Jensen of Mansfield, CT, a student at the University of Connecticut studying chemistry

• Mark Luderer of Clarion, PA, a student at the University of Connecticut studying chemistry

• Heather Szelag of Tiverton, RI, a student at the University of Connecticut studying biophysics

The fellowship program is made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) H-1B grant being administered by CBIA. The purpose of the grant is to increase the number of highly skilled U.S. workers in the bioscience and pharmaceutical industries.

"This fellowship program helps Connecticut continue to have the highly educated workforce needed to remain competitive in bioscience, while keeping the brightest students in the state," said Judith Resnick, CBIA director of workforce development and training, and the deputy director of the association's Education Foundation.

“We’re delighted to be working with CBIA to help develop the workforce for one of Connecticut’s fastest growing industries,” said Paul R. Pescatello, president and CEO of CURE. “We’ll be keeping in touch with the students and their advisors as the projects unfold, and we look forward to the presentations at StemCONN 07.”

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with 10,000 members.

CURE (http://www.curenet.org) is a statewide coalition of over 100 educational and research institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and other supporting businesses. It is dedicated to promoting the growth and increasing public understanding of biomedical research and science in Connecticut.