45th Annual Meeting

Welcome to the 45th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. I am pleased to join you in this celebration of excellence in science, engineering, mathematics, medicine, and technology with the election of 36 new members, one honorary member, two Academy member distinguished service awards, the Connecticut Medal of Technology recipient, and student awards. Although circumstances did not allow us to gather together in person for this celebration, we must not let this opportunity pass to recognize those being honored this year. They represent an incredible group of accomplished people living and working in Connecticut.

I encourage you to explore the specially designed annual meeting website, which will be available for you to revisit over the next few months and share with your colleagues, friends, and family. I am delighted, as I am sure you will be too, to learn about those who are being honored this year. Additionally, on this site you can watch a video presentation on Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, the state’s 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology awardee, watch the keynote address and presentation of the CASE Paper on COVID-19 pandemic, and hear from the Academy’s inaugural Science & Technology Policy Fellow.

The Academy thanks our sponsors for their generous support and I encourage you, if your circumstances allow, to consider a much-needed donation to the Academy’s operating fund.

With this meeting, I complete my term as President. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the Academy. I wish my successor, Christine Broadbridge my very best in taking on the responsibilities of the CASE presidency. I am happy to know that the Academy will be in good hands under her leadership.

An Adaptive Risk-Based Strategy for Connecticut’s Ongoing COVID-19 Response

The Academy convened a committee of our members and/or members of the National Academies— who collectively represent the diverse areas of science, engineering, technology, and medicine — with the goal of providing for Governor Ned Lamont consideration a unique perspective to consider in the state’s management of this pandemic. The Academy recognized that the decision-making process is, by necessity, conducted in a complex, dynamic environment that requires continuous adaptation to reduce the risks and increase benefit to public health and the economy. Specifically, the Academy recognizes that decisions in this environment are not either/or, but more nuanced and require a deft touch to adapt to changing levels of risk.

This paper was submitted to the Office of the Governor on June 1, 2020, and is also available to the public.

Spotlight on Innovation in the 21st Century… Ready or Not?

The Academy created the category of Honorary Membership in 2009 to recognize individuals not otherwise eligible for membership. Honorary nominees are considered on the basis of outstanding service to the Academy through participation and/or activities in support of the Academy’s vision and mission.

Honorary members are nominated and designated after a 2/3rds vote of the Academy’s Council. Selection of Honorary Members is limited to no more than two individuals per year. Honorary Members shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, except voting and holding elective office.

The Academy’s Governing Council created in July 2009 the Distinguished Service Award for presentation to Academy Members who provide outstanding service to the Academy.

• The Governing Council nominates candidates for the award;
• The Executive Committee selects award recipients with the consent of Governing Council; and
• Awardees are recognized at the Academy’s Annual Meeting; recognition includes the presentation of a plaque in commemoration of the award.

In 2017, CASE received one of nine planning grants awarded by the California Council for Science and Technology (CCST) in partnership with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Simons Foundation. The grants supported state-level planning for the implementation of a science and technology policy fellowship program, with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and CCST Policy Fellowship Programs as successful models from which to build. The fellowships provide opportunities for scientists, physicians, and engineers with PhD’s or equivalent terminal degrees to contribute their skills and knowledge to the development of science-related public policies while simultaneously learning about the public policy process.

CASE began the planning phase by establishing a Fellowship Advisory Committee that included representatives from state government, former and current fellows, CASE Members, and foundations. The committee provided guidance for the development of the program.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provided the first opportunity to place a CASE Fellow. After a competitive selection process, Dr. Anna Hagstrom agreed to serve as the Inaugural Fellow of CASE and began a two-year fellowship at DEEP in spring 2019. As an integral member of DEEP’s per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) team. Betsy Wingfield, Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Quality at DEEP, shared that Dr. Hagstrom’s fellowship provides her agency with the advantage of a skilled and talented resource on site to apply to an issue that is expanding every day. And, “I also love the fact that we are working to integrate science and policy — and helping to develop the next generation of environmental leaders.”