Hartford, CT — Three outstanding young Connecticut scientists will be awarded the newly established H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence at the 30th Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering on May 26, 2005, at the Rocky Hill Marriott in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

The award, created by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering with the sponsorship of Gerber Scientific, Inc., 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 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 2005 Connecticut Science Fair winners Shane E. Mulligan of Staples High School in Westport, CT (1st Place, Life Sciences – Senior Division) and Raj G. Ranade of East Lyme High School in East Lyme, CT (1st Place, Physical Sciences – Senior Division), and Stephen H. Ingraham of New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, CT (1st Place, Connecticut Science Talent Search).

Mulligan’s winning Science Fair entry was entitled “The Construction of a Self Assembling DNA Nanohexagon Capable of Protein Storage and Release.” Ranade won for his project on “A Computer Simulation Model for Identification of Optimal Process Parameters for a Non-Adiabatic Plug Flow Reactor,” while Ingraham took first place honors for his Connecticut Science Talent Search entry entitled “Superluminal Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in the Near-Field.”

Gerber Scientific is the world’s leading supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and ophthalmic lens processing. Headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, the company operates through four businesses: Gerber Scientific Products, Spandex Ltd., Gerber Technology, and Gerber Coburn