Rocky Hill, CT — Outstanding young Connecticut scientists will be awarded the H. Joseph Gerber awards at the 43rd Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) on May 24, 2018 at the Red Lion Hotel ― Cromwell.

The award, created by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and presented in partnership with Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), is in recognition of H. Joseph Gerber’s (1924-1996) technical leadership in inventing, developing and commercializing manufacturing automation systems for a wide variety of industries, making those industries more efficient and cost-effective in a worldwide competitive environment.

“The Academy greatly appreciates CCAT’s continued support of the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence and Gerber Award of Excellence presented annually to Connecticut’s top high school student scientists and engineers for their outstanding achievements and honors the memory of the inventor, entrepreneur and CASE member for whom the medal is named,” said CASE President Laura Grabel.

Mr. Gerber –  Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and President for South Windsor-based Gerber Scientific, Inc. – was a leader for nearly half a century in inventing and producing factory automation equipment designed to solve global manufacturing problems. An elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Mr. Gerber received the National Medal of Technology in 1994 followed by the Connecticut Medal of Technology in 1995.

The recipients of this year’s H. Joseph Gerber awards are top winners of the 2018 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair. Recipients of the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence were: Emily Philippides, Greenwich High School (1st Place, Life Sciences – Senior Division) and Maya Geradi, Wilbur Cross High School (1st Place, Physical Sciences – Senior Division). Additionally, recipients of a H. Joseph Gerber Award of Excellence were the team of Srikar Godilla and Cristian Rodriguez from the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering (1st Place, Urban School Challenge – High School Division).

Philippides’s winning Science Fair project was entitled, “Controlled-Release Delivery of Ovarian Anticancer Paclitaxel via Vortex Ring, Donut-shaped Hydrogels” and Geradi’s project was entitled, “Synthesis and Separation of a Chiral Compound in Preparation of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Radiotracer.” Godilla and Rodriguez won for their project, “Effect of Experimental Parameters on Forming Prince Rupert’s Drops for Maximum Strength and Toughness.”

CCAT sponsors the award as part of its goal to advance context-based STEM education and promote career opportunities. “The Gerber Medal of Excellence and the Gerber Award of Excellence recognize the creativity and ingenuity of Connecticut’s young scientists,” said Elliot Ginsberg, CCAT’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is a tradition that CCAT is proud to support as we continue our mission to promote the importance of innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Connecticut.”

About CCAT: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in East Hartford, Conn, that creates bold, new ideas for designing and implementing applied technologies, export & cyber compliance, STEM education, career development, and energy solutions. By leading state, regional, and national partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations to succeed. Learn more at ccat.us, or follow CCAT on Twitter @CCATInc.