Rocky Hill, CT — Three outstanding young Connecticut scientists will be awarded the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence at the 41st Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) on May 24, 2016 at the University of New Haven’s Beckerman Recreation Center in West Haven.

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 is grateful to CCAT for continuing to support the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence which recognizes three of Connecticut’s top high school student scientists and engineers,” said CASE President Sandra Weller. “The Gerber Medal celebrates their remarkable achievements and honors the memory of the inventor, entrepreneur and CASE member for whom they are named.”

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 Medal of Excellence are top winners of the 2016 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair. They are: Aakshi Agarwal of Hamden High School (1st Place, Life Sciences – Senior Division); Christopher Popham of Greenwich High School (1st Place, Physical Sciences – Senior Division); and Maya Geradi of Wilbur Cross High School (High School Winner – Urban School Challenge).

Agarwal’s winning Science Fair project was entitled, “CRISPR Based Gene Editing Confers Resistance to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)” and Popham’s award was for, “Increased Charge Rate and Capacity for Olivine LithiumIon Batteries Using Efficient, Upcycled Nanoscale Electrodes.” Geradi won for her project, “Exploring Conditions for Struvite Precipitation and Crystal Growth.”

CCAT sponsors the award as part of its goal to strengthen the quality of high school STEM education.

“CCAT is proud to sponsor the Gerber Medal of Excellence to recognize the creativity and ingenuity of Connecticut’s young scientists,” said Elliot Ginsberg, CCAT’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through the Gerber Medal award, we continue 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, IT strategies, 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.