“Mastering Science” Research Internship Symposium

Date: April 26, 2004

Where: C.C. Little Auditorium, The Jackson Laboratory

When: Thursday, May 6, 2004, 9:30 a.m.

Who: “Mastering Science” Students and Mentors

Susan McKay, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Director of The Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research, University of Maine

Molly Schauffler, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in Geological Sciences, University of Maine

Barbara Knowles, Ph.D., Director of Research and Training, The Jackson Laboratory

Jon Geiger, Ph.D., Educational Programs Manager, The Jackson Laboratory

Fleet National Bank Representative, Claude O’Donnell

On Thursday, May 6, The Jackson Laboratory will host a research internship symposium for the students of “Mastering Science”–an innovative program that joins Master of Science in Teaching students from the University of Maine with Jackson Laboratory scientists in an intensive, semester-long research experience.

During the symposium, each of the three teachers-in-training involved in the inaugural spring internship will give a 15-minute presentation on their research projects which include a computer-mapping study of gene recombination in the mouse genome, a study of the mechanisms underlying gene activation in pre-implantation embryos and oocytes, and a study of the affects thyroid deficiency on rates of aging.

Fleet National Bank, a Bank of America Company and trustee of the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, announced a $230,000 grant for “Mastering Science” in October of 2003. According to Kerry Herlihy Sullivan, director of Foundation and Philanthropic Services at Fleet, where the Balfour Foundation is based, "We are supporting this program to help increase the number of qualified science teachers and thus improve the quality and availability of science education in New England, for years to come." Funding for the program is also provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

With more than 1,300 employees and an operating budget of $127 million, the 75-year-old Jackson Laboratory is one of Maine's largest employers. Its 350-person research staff investigates the genetic basis of cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, glaucoma, diabetes and many other human diseases and disorders. The Laboratory is also home of the Mouse Genome Database and many other publicly available information resources, and is an international hub for scientific courses, conferences, training and education—including programs for Maine high school, college and graduate students.

Contact(s): Jade Harmer, 207-288-6051, jade@jax.org

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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