Rocky Hill, CT — Three outstanding young Connecticut scientists will be awarded the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence at the 39th Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) on June 5, 2014, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in 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 is grateful for CCAT’s continued support in recognizing Connecticut’s top student scientists and engineers with the H. Joseph Gerber Medal,” said CASE President Lou Manzione. “These awards celebrate scientific achievement among high school students and honor the memory of the inventor, entrepreneur and CASE member for whom they are named.”

As an inventor and as founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and President for South Windsorbased Gerber Scientific, Inc., Mr. Gerber 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 2014 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair. They are: Janine Kerr (1st Place, Life Sciences – Senior Division) of Danbury High School and Isabelle Goldstein (1st Place, Physical Sciences – Senior Division) of Ridgefield High School; and William Tait (High School Winner – Urban School Challenge) of Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science and Technology Education Center.

Kerr’s winning Science Fair entry was entitled, “Biological Control of the Invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil Using Aquatic Weevils” and Goldstein’s award was for her project, “Partitioning Gamma-Ray Sources in Fermi Large Area Telescope Observations for Spatial and Spectral Analysis.” Tait won for his project, “Bio-sensor Drug Carrier for Insulin.”

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

“The student scientists who are awarded the Gerber Medal of Excellence continue to amaze me with their ingenuity, dedication and achievements,” said Elliot Ginsberg, President and Chief Executive Officer, CCAT. “CCAT is proud to sponsor the Gerber Medal in recognition of their accomplishments and to continue encouraging innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Connecticut.”

About CCAT: The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a unique economic development center of excellence for the region, state and nation. www.ccat.us