How Tomorrow’s Scientific Leaders and Biotech Entrepreneurs Spend their Summer Vacation!

Aug. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- DOYLESTOWN, PA (August 18, 2010) – The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) held commencements for their two innovative educational programs geared towards training the scientists of tomorrow: the High School Science Enrichment program and College Summer Research Internships. Both are comprehensive programs that help guide students through science and technology entrepreneurship and research.  HBF seeks to provide high school and college students a unique experience in professional research labs to prepare them for potential careers in the fast-growing areas of biomedical research, biotechnology, and public health research. “Our research training programs provide unique and valuable mentorship and career opportunities to students in our community,” said Peggy Farley, MBA, director of programs at the Hepatitis B Foundation. “The students are exposed to the Foundation’s outreach and advocacy initiatives from our dedicated scientists and gain an awareness of the global problem of hepatitis B and an appreciation of the importance of research in advancing our mission.”

The High School Science Enrichment Program is a two-week course held annually in August.  It offers students a unique “hands on” experience in state-of-the-art research labs, located at the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, under the guidance of senior scientists. In addition to lab research, students learn about public health issues in research, enjoy guest lectures, and attend professional seminars. The HBF’s Science Enrichment Program is funded as an EIO (Educational Improvement Organization) in the PA Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Universal Health Services, Inc. of Delaware, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. have generously designated their EITC funds in support of the HBF educational program.  
The 2010 High School Science Enrichment Program participants were: Sarah Hadyniak, Morgan Hoferica, Andrew Hollenbach, Kathy Liu, Ashley Roh, Ritu Saxena, Akshat Parekh, and Cansu Senel.

The College Summer Research Internship Program provides junior and senior year college students the opportunity to apply for a competitive 10-week paid summer internship program. The selected students worked on individual projects with professional scientists from the HBF and its research institute.  The students formally present their findings at the conclusion of the program to the Foundation and its research faculty members. This program was supported through donations from the Charles Sigety Family Foundation and Merck & Co. West Point Charitable Contributions Committee.  This year’s college students included Kate Blenner (Drexel University College of Medicine); Jordan Carter (Drexel University); Sitong Chen (Penn State University); Patrick Cocchiarella (Delaware Valley College); Sarah Freeman (Houghton College); Daniela Hess (Fordham University); Timothy Humpton (MIT); John Karabudak (University of Pittsburgh); Crystal Leonard (Bryn Mawr College); Cassandra Voegtlin (Delaware Valley College); Matt Mudalel (Lehigh University); Ryan White (Penn State University); and Suja Jayan (Grand Valley State Univ.).

About the Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. HBF is headquartered at the PA Biotechnology Center, which it created to advance and accelerate its research mission. For more information, visit www.hepb.org or call (215) 489-4900.

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The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for all those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy.