Rocky Hill, CT — Three outstanding young Connecticut scientists will be awarded the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence at the 36th Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering on May 25, 2011, at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, CT.

The award, created by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and presented in partnership with Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, 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.

As an inventor and as founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and President for South Windsor-base 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 2011 Connecticut Science Fair winners Swathi Krishnan (1st Place, Life Sciences – Senior Division) of Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY and Ryota Ishizuka (1st Place, Physical Sciences – Senior Division) of Greenwich High School; and 2011 Connecticut Science Challenge 1st place winner Marina Kaneko also of Greenwich High School.

Krishnan’s winning Science Fair entry was entitled, “Development and Characterization of a Novel Listeria-Caspase-3 DNA Vaccine to Eradicate Metastatic Breast Cancer,” and Ishizuka’s award was for his project, “Optimization of a Microbial Fuel Cell Structure to Drive a Bioelectrochemically-Assisted Wastewater Treatment Reactor.” Kaneko, the winner of the Connecticut Science Challenge, won for her project, “Spectroscopic Modeling of Ergothioneine as a UV Dermal Protectant.”

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) sponsors the award as part of its goal to strengthen the quality of high school STEM education.

“CCAT strongly believes that recognizing Connecticut’s students in their educational achievements in the sciences is an important aspect of improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the state,” said Elliot Ginsberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of CCAT.

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.