Aristotle Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Supports Scholarships at The Jackson Laboratory

Date: October 12, 2004

Bar Harbor, Maine - The Aristotle Fund of the Maine Community Foundation recently gave $7,500 to endow scholarships for Maine students taking part in The Jackson Laboratory's Summer Student Program. In the summer of 2004, seven of 34 students taking part in this program were Maine natives.

Jackson Laboratory Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., noted, "This gift shows how highly the directors of the Aristotle Fund and the Maine Community Foundation value the independent, cutting-edge research experience that The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program provides for Maine students. We are delighted to accept this generous gesture."

The first Aristotle Scholarship was awarded to Rebecca Barter of Raymond, a senior at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone. At The Jackson Laboratory, Barter studied molecular pathways that are related to cancer in the mouse, and compiled information into a visual, interactive display. Her project will help to advance cancer research worldwide.

Carol Bult, Ph.D., a staff scientist at The Jackson Laboratory and Barter's mentor during her internship, commented, "Rebecca is one of the most gifted students I have had the pleasure of mentoring. The recognition that Rebecca received by being named an Aristotle Fund Scholar was well deserved."

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The Maine Community Foundation (MCF), begun in 1983, holds more than 650 charitable funds established by donors for the benefit of communities across the state. Hollis resident and money manager John Morrill created the Aristotle Fund after surviving a serious health crisis. Morrill decided to restructure his investment funds so that a percentage of his revenues would be used to support charitable projects in Maine. An advisory board of Maine residents reviews proposals to the Fund.

The Jackson Laboratory, founded in 1929, is a world leader in mammalian genetics research. With more than 1,300 employees, the nonprofit, independent facility has a mission to improve the quality of human health through discoveries arising from its own genetics research and by enabling the research and education of others.

Contact(s): Joyce Peterson, The Jackson Laboratory, 207-288-6058
Jade Harmer, The Jackson Laboratory, 207-288-6051

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Media Relations, Communications Office
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609-1500
Phone: 207-288-6051
Fax: 207-288-6076
Email: news@jax.org