ABOUT

The Connecticut Academy
of Science and Engineering

The Connecticut Academy is a non-profit, 501(c)3 institution patterned after the National Academy of Sciences to identify and study issues and technological advancements that are or should be of concern to the state of Connecticut. It was founded in 1976 by a Special Act of the Connecticut General Assembly.

The Vision of the Academy is to foster an environment in Connecticut where scientific and technological creativity can thrive and contribute to Connecticut becoming a leading place in the country to live, work and produce for all its citizens, who will continue to enjoy an economic well- being and high quality of life.

Our Mission is to provide expert guidance on science and technology to the people and to the State of Connecticut and promote its application to human welfare and economic well-being.

2021

Annual Meeting Sponsors

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

WELCOME

Christine Caragianis Broadbridge
CASE President

Welcome to the 46th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.  I am pleased to join with you in celebrating excellence in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine in our state. We gratefully thank our sponsors and attendees for their generous support, which made this celebration possible.

This website includes a recording of the live portion of the Annual Meeting, along with more to learn about our new members, honorary member, the 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology and the 2021 Connecticut Medal of Science recipients, Middle and High School student STEM awards, the Academy’s Fellowship Program, and the keynote presenter. The site will be available for you to explore and revisit for several months and we encourage you to share the site with your colleagues, friends, and family.

Although circumstances did not allow us to gather in person, we are grateful technology has made it possible to virtually come together.  And, we look forward to seeing you all in person at the 47th Annual Meeting in May 2022.

With this meeting, I complete my first year as President.  I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the Academy and look forward to beginning my final year as President.  During my term, and beyond, the Academy will continue to work to ensure we serve the state by celebrating, promoting, and informing for all things STEM.

Christine Broadbridge

Christine Caragianis Broadbridge

Professor, Executive Director, Research & Innovation, Southern Connecticut State University

CASE Member - Elected in 2008

PROGRAM

46th Annual Virtual Meeting

6:30 PM Via Live Meeting
(see recording for your convenience)

  • Student Reception
  • Welcoming Remarks
  • Annual Meeting Overview
  • Sponsor Recognition
  • 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology
  • 2021 Connecticut Medal of Science
  • In recognition of 2020 & 2021 New Members of the Academy
  • Keynote Address

8:30 PM Adjourn Live Meeting to Explore the CASE Annual Meeting Website

  • CASE Annual Meeting Sponsors
  • Welcome, Christine Caragianis Broadbridge, CASE President
  • Keynote Address
  • New Members
  • Honorary Membership
  • 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology
  • 2021 Connecticut Medal of Science
  • Student Awards
  • Inaugural CASE – DEEP Science & Technology Policy Fellowship

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Envisioning a Tomorrow in Harmony with Nature

 

Radenka Maric

Radenka Maric

Vice President for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Connecticut

CASE Member - Elected in 2012

BIO +

NEW CASE MEMBERS

The Bylaws of the Academy provide that members must live or work in Connecticut and are to be elected by the current members on the basis of their accomplishments in science, engineering, and/or technology. Specifically, scientists and engineers may be considered for membership on the basis of fulfillment of either or both of the following criteria:

  • Scientific distinction achieved through significant original contribution in theory or application;
  • Unusual accomplishments in the pioneering of new and developing fields of applied science and technology.

In addition, members of the national academies are automatically considered for membership by resolution of Council.

THE 2020 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY

Ron Adelman

Ron Adelman

Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Director of the Retina and Macula Service, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Nita Ahuja

Nita Ahuja

William H. Carmalt Professor of Surgery; Chair, Department of Surgery; Interim Director, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine; Interim Physician-in-Chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital

BIO +
Jinbo Bi

Jinbo Bi

Frederick H. Leonhardt Professor of Computer Science, UConn School of Engineering

BIO +
Georgios M. Bollas

Georgios M. Bollas

Professor, Director of UTC Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, UConn School of Engineering

BIO +
Nancy J. Brown

Nancy J. Brown

Dean, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Daniel C. Burbank

Daniel C. Burbank

Senior Technical Fellow, Mission Systems, Collins Aerospace

BIO +
Daniel D. Burkey

Daniel D. Burkey

Professor in Residence, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Diversity, UConn School of Engineering

BIO +
Yang Cao

Yang Cao

Professor and Director, Electrical Insulation Research Center, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Institute of Materials Science, School of Engineering, UConn

BIO +
Igor Cherepinsky

Igor Cherepinsky

Director of Autonomy Programs, Engineering and Technology, Rotary Mission Systems, Sikorsky Aircraft

BIO +
CLAUS

Elizabeth B. Claus

Professor, Biostatistics; Director, Medical Research, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Tanimu P. Deleon

Tanimu P. Deleon

Technical Lead: Human Factors Engineering and CONFORM: Warfighter Performance, Electric Boat Corporation

BIO +
Heidi M. Dierssen

Heidi M. Dierssen

Professor of Marine Sciences/Geography, UConn

BIO +
Gregory A. Duba

Gregory A. Duba

Staff Engineer – System Modeling, Simulation and Analysis, Electric Boat Corporation

BIO +
Erika J. Edwards

Erika J. Edwards

Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University

BIO +
Dave Ferrucci

Dave Ferrucci

Founder, CEO and Chief Scientist, Elemental Cognition; Director of Artificial Intelligence, Bridgewater Associates

BIO +
Nilay Hazari

Nilay Hazari

Professor of Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Yale University

BIO +
Thomas Katsouleas

Thomas C. Katsouleas

President, UConn

BIO +
Yehia F. Khalil

Yehia F. Khalil

Associate Director and Program Chief for Product Safety & Reliability, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Space Systems, Collins Aerospace

BIO +
Ramesh B. Malla

Ramesh B. Malla

Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Materials Science, UConn

BIO +
Ruth R. Montgomery

Ruth R. Montgomery

Professor of Medicine; Associate Dean for Scientific Affairs, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Rachel J. O'Neill

Rachel J. O’Neill

Professor and Director of the UConn Institute for Systems Genomics, Institute of Systems Genomics, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn

BIO +
Jose Manuel Otero

José Manuel Otero

Chief Technology Officer and Executive Team Member, Turnstone Biologics

BIO +
Ugur Pasaogullari

Ugur Pasaogullari

Professor and Director of the Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2), Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, UConn

BIO +
Peter N. Peduzzi

Peter N. Peduzzi

Professor of Biostatistics, Director, Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, Director, Yale Data Coordinating Center, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Rafael Perez-Escamilla

Rafael Perez-Escamilla

Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health; Director, Office of Public Health Practice; Director, Global Health Concentration, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
David M. Post

David M. Post

Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University

BIO +
Andreas E. Roelofs

Andreas K. Roelofs

Vice President of Research, UTC and Director, UTRC

BIO +
Nenad Sestan

Nenad Sestan

Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neuroscience, and Professor of Comparative Medicine, of Genetics and of Psychiatry Executive Director, Genome Editing Center, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Linda H. Shapiro

Linda H. Shapiro

Professor, Cell Biology; Director, Center for Vascular Biology, UConn School of Medicine

BIO +
John P. Shegirian

John P. Shegirian

Staff Engineer, Integrated Power Systems, Electric Boat Corporation

BIO +
Scot A. Slimon

Scot A. Slimon

Staff Engineer, Fluid Mechanics, Electric Boat Corporation

BIO +
Megan V. Smith

Megan V. Smith

Associate Professor of Psychiatry and in the Child Study Center Director, Mental Health Outreach for Mothers Partnership Director, Yale Child Study Center Parent and Family Development Program, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Negendra Somanath

Nagendra Somanath

Principle Engineer, Advanced Technology and Preliminary Design, Advanced Concepts & Technology, Pratt & Whitney

BIO +
Christian Tschudi

Christian Tschudi

John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology, Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Paul E. Turner

Paul E. Turner

Rachel Carson Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University

BIO +

THE 2021 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY

Margaret Briggs-Gowan

Margaret Briggs-Gowan

Associate Professor, Interim Chief, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, UConn School of Medicine

BIO +
Maria Chrysochoou

Maria Chrysochoou

Professor and Head, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UConn School of Engineering

BIO +
Daniel A. Colon-Ramos

Daniel A. Colón-Ramos

Doris McConnell Duberg Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine; Inaugural Director, Wu Tsai Institute’s Center for Neurodevelopment and Plasticity, Yale University

BIO +
Enrique De La Cruz

Enrique De La Cruz

Professor and Chair of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; Head, Branford College, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Michael Culmo

Michael Culmo

Chief Bridge Engineer, CHA Consulting, Inc.

BIO +
Gail D'Onofrio

Gail D’Onofrio

Albert E. Kent Professor of Emergency Medicine and Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases); Department Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine; and Chief of Emergency Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital

BIO +
Alan C. Dardik

Alan C. Dardik

Professor of Surgery (Vascular) and of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Gary V. Desir

Gary V. Desir

Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine; Vice Provost, Faculty Development and Diversity; Chair, Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
DIPAK DEY

Dipak Dey

Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Statistics, UConn

BIO +
Pamela K. Diggle

Pamela K. Diggle

Professor & Department Head, Dpt. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, UConn

BIO +
Rong Fan

Rong Fan

Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science

BIO +
Antonia Giraldez

Antonio Giraldez

Fergus F. Wallace Professor of Genetics; Chair, Genetics, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Yuriy Gmirya

Yuriy Gmirya

Senior Technical Fellow, Department of Engineering and Technology, Rotary and Mission Systems, Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company

BIO +
PINELOPI K. GOLDBERG

Pinelopi L. Goldberg

Elihu Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, Yale University

BIO +
Anjelica L. Gonzalez

Anjelica L. Gonzalez

Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science

BIO +
Garth N. Graham

Garth N. Graham

Director and Global Head of Healthcare, and Public Health, Google/You Tube

BIO +
Mark W. Hochstrasser

Mark W. Hochstrasser

Eugene Higgins Professor, Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, and Professor, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale School of Medicine

BIO +
Melinda L. Irwin

Melinda L. Irwin

Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases) and Associate Dean of Research, Associate Cancer Center Director, Population Sciences; Co-leader, Cancer Prevention and Control, Yale Cancer Center; Deputy Director for Public Health, Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Cynthia S. Jones

Cynthia S. Jones

Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UConn

BIO +
Lisa L. Lattanza

Lisa L. Lattanza

Chair, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital

BIO +
Carl W. Lejuez

Carl W. Lejuez

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, UConn

BIO +
Chen Liu

Chen Liu

Anthony N. Brady Professor of Pathology; Chair, Pathology, Yale School of Medicine; Chief of Pathology, Yale New Haven Hospital

BIO +
Tianfeng Lu

Tianfeng Lu

Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UConn

BIO +
Reina Maruyama

Reina Maruyama

Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Yale University

BIO +
JEFFREY R. McCUTCHEON

Jeffrey R. McCutcheon

Professor and Executive Director, Fraunhofer USA Center for Energy Innovation; Al Geib Professor of Environmental Engineering Research and Education, UConn School of Engineering

BIO +
Linda M. Niccolai

Linda M. Niccolai

Professor, Department of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases); Director, CT Emerging Infections Program, Yale, Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Alexander Staroselsky

Alexander Staroselsky

Associate Director of Research, Raytheon Technologies Research Center

BIO +
Carolyn Teschke, CASE Member 2022

Carolyn Teschke

Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Chemistry
UConn

BIO +
Anthony T. Vella

Anthony T. Vella

Professor and Chair, Boehringer Ingelheim Chair in Immunology, Senior Associate Dean for Research Planning and Development, UConn School of Medicine

BIO +
John Wettlaufer

John Wettlaufer

A.M. Bateman Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University

BIO +
Jason C. White

Jason C. White

Director, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

BIO +
Heping Zhang

Heping Zhang

Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Biostatistics, Professor of Statistics and Data Science; and Professor of Child Study, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +
Hongyu Zhao

Hongyu Zhao

Ira V. Hiscock Professor and Chair of Biostatistics, Professor of Genetics and Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Yale School of Public Health

BIO +

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

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.

264a496a736b9cf1edc5f05cf712a31b98f305e9

Jane Stahl

Environmental Consultant

Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (ret.)

BIO +

2020 Connecticut
Medal of Technology

The Connecticut Medal of Technology, the state’s highest honor for technologic achievement, is awarded to individuals, teams, and companies/non-profits or divisions of companies/non-profits for their outstanding contributions to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of Connecticut and the nation through the promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development of the technological workforce.

The Connecticut Medals of Science and Technology are awarded in alternate years by the state of Connecticut. The Connecticut Medals are modeled after the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation awarded annually by the president of the United States.

This award is bestowed by the state of Connecticut, with the assistance of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Connecticut Medal of Technology.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is the 2020 recipient of the Connecticut Medal of Technology in recognition of X2 Technology, a generational leap in rotary-wing innovation that enables helicopters to complete tasks traditional helicopters can’t today. X2 Technology consists of an integrated package of technologies that make X2 aircraft faster, more agile, and more maneuverable than other helicopters.

Sikorsky has been a leader in aviation and innovation ever since Igor Sikorsky founded Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation in 1923. Sikorsky helicopters have transported every U.S. president since 1957 and have also fulfilled aviation needs across all branches of the military. In 2004, engineers started work on X2 Technology to overcome the speed and stability limitations of prior helicopters. These limits drove Sikorsky engineers to completely rethink the typical design of a helicopter. X2 Technology consists of: counter-rotating rigid rotor blades, fly-by-wire flight controls, hub drag reduction, active vibration control, and an integrated auxiliary propulsion system.

In 2010, Sikorsky’s X2 Technology Demonstrator reached 250 knots, before its final flight the program was honored with a prestigious Collier Award, which recognizes the greatest achievements in aeronautics or astronautics in America. Sikorsky donated the aircraft to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The Company’s work then shifted to address the U.S. Army’s future vertical lift needs. The S-97 RAIDER is the second X2-based helicopter. Sikorsky’s newest design, RAIDER X is based on this design and will contend for the Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. Sikorsky, in partnership with Boeing, developed the SB>1 DEFIANT, a larger design that is now in flight test and informing the Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. The evolution of X2 Technology through each phase of design and flight test have proven the scalability of this game-changing technology.
“Sikorsky engineers represent the most innovative minds in our industry,” said Dan Schultz, Sikorsky President. “Their passion for excellence continues to expand the boundaries of helicopter speed and maneuverability. I am extremely proud that our team’s work has paved the way to meet the needs of the Army’s Future Vertical Lift program.”

Sikorsky’s engineering and manufacturing expertise is a significant economic force in the state, with currently 7,900 CT-based employees. X2 Technology will directly benefit the state’s economy.

“Connecticut is proud to award the 2020 Connecticut Medal of Technology to Sikorsky,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Connecticut is home to the nation’s most innovative and talented aerospace and defense manufacturers and suppliers— and companies like Sikorsky keep us competitive by continuously providing exciting new opportunities for top engineering and science graduates from our state’s colleges and universities. Sikorsky is to be congratulated for their ongoing innovations and commitment to the state of Connecticut and our workforce.”

2021 Connecticut
Medal of Science

The Connecticut Medal of Science is the state’s highest honor for scientific achievement in fields crucial to Connecticut’s economic competitiveness and social well-being.

Modeled after the National Medal of Science, this award is bestowed by the State of Connecticut, with the assistance of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, in alternate years with the Connecticut Medal of Technology.

This award is bestowed by the state of Connecticut, with the assistance of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

Nancy H. Ruddle, John Rodman Paul Professor Emerita, Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Immunobiology, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Connecticut Medal of Science.

Professor Ruddle is a pioneering immunologist who discovered lymphotoxin, an immune signaling molecule or cytokine and demonstrated its roles and mechanisms in cytotoxicity, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes, and in lymph node development. Her work was fundamental to the understanding of tertiary lymphoid organs, accumulations of lymphoid cells that are damaging in autoimmunity but can be key to defense against microorganisms and tumors.

Professor Ruddle’s discoveries have profound implications for the understanding and treating of autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, and cancer. Before the tools of molecular biology were available, she developed T cell clones and realized that the cytotoxic factor she discovered was a combination of the cytokines lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) . Lymphotoxin was one of the first cytokines to be discovered; now there are hundreds. Her findings that cytokines can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) and contribute to autoimmune diseases changed thinking in the field.

“Connecticut has a rich history of being home to some of the nation’s leading scientists who are making revolutionary discoveries that have global impacts,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Our state’s scientific community reflects our legacy of research and innovation. Professor Ruddle’s paradigm-shifting contributions to our understanding of the immune system, and infectious and autoimmune diseases is a shining example. On behalf of the entire state, I want to thank Professor Ruddle for her more than 50-year career — all of which has been spent in Connecticut — and congratulate her on receiving Connecticut’s highest honor for scientific achievement.”

Professor Ruddle earned a BA in Zoology from Mt. Holyoke College and a PhD in Microbiology from Yale University. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Cytokine Society and was its President and has served as a role model for and made numerous contributions throughout her career to advancing women. Dr. Ruddle co-authored a textbook on Immunoepidemiology, the first textbook written on this subject. She has authored or co-authored over 200 publications, spanning primary research, reviews and commentaries. Her publication on the crucial role of lymphotoxin in lymphoid organ development was chosen as a “Pillars in Immunology” paper in the Journal of the American Association of Immunologists and the paper led to a new field of study.

Dr. Ruddle and her late husband, Dr. Frank Ruddle raised 2 daughters in New Haven – Amy Ruddle Shohet of San Carlos, CA and Kate Ruddle of Montpelier, VT. Dr. Ruddle has 3 grandchildren-Alexis, Calista, and Leo Shohet.

add03fd926c4d021451678c376dbdc54b3d9cab8

Nancy H. Ruddle

John Rodman Paul Professor Emerita, Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases and Immunobiology, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine
BIO +

The Connecticut Invention Convention

The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is a program that seeks to provide the students of Connecticut with opportunities to develop critical-thinking and creative problem-solving skills through invention and innovation, instilling the spirit of ingenuity in students today and for the rest of their lives.

The Academy recognizes the following 15 grade-level 7 and 8 students who participated in CIC with certificates of recognition and a $50 certificate for the purchase of scientific equipment, books, or other science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics-related materials. Funding for the Academy’s awards is provided by Academy Member contributions.

Julia Besseto

Assumption Catholic School, Grade 8

Allungarsi

Samuel Brittin

Southbury Family Tutorial Co-op, Grade 8

Sled-EZ

Jordan Collie

East Granby Middle School, Grade 8

Solar Compost Booster

Vaugh Coombs

Tolland Middle School, Grade 7

Simply Crunchy 2.0

Ravindu Karunaratne

Hamden Hall Country Day School, Grade 7

Xterminator Plus -Germless Flush

Nilan Kathir

St. Bridget School, Grade 8

Spornif

Gretchen Kelly

Stafford Middle School, Grade 7

ALOHA Band

Emily Leszczynski

Ashford School, Grade 7

Lifelong Hanger

Jeneika Lugg

Jumoke Academy, Grade 8

Windmill Generator

Jason Merchant

Southbury Family Tutorial Co-op, Grade 8

Ultimate Back Scratcher

Snigtha Mohanraj

Engineering and Science University Magnet School, Grade 8

Ferro-Sponge: A Novel Way for Removing Microplastics and Cleaning Oil

Olivia Orthmann

Putnam Middle School, Grade 8

The Bus Button

Lora Piper

Lisbon Central School, Grade 8

The Handi-Brella

Sia Reddy

Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Technology, Grade 7

Tennis Ball Disinfector

Suchita Srinivasan

Dodd Middle School, Grade 7

Vivo - A COVID-19 Social Distancing Device

Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

Connecticut Area Health Education Center Network and UConn Health (under contract with the National Science Teachers Association). CT’s symposium is part of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force sponsored Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

JSHS is designed to challenge and engage students (grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. These symposia are effective in enhancing high school student motivation, stimulating original research, and providing the setting for exciting scientific meetings. Mature scientists have often expressed astonishment at the high level of student accomplishment. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed the JSHS program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2019-2020.

The Academy recognizes the following top five oral presenters and their respective schools. Each winner receives a $250 award, a certificate of recognition from the Academy, and their congressional representative; and the science department of the winner’s school receives a plaque and a $500 donation for supplies and equipment. Funding for the Academy’s awards is provided by Academy Member contributions.

1st Place

Ambika Grover

Greenwich High School, Grade 10

Rapid, Noninvasive, Fluorescence-Based Detection for Elevated Levels of Nitric Oxide in Exhaled Breath, As a Marker for Hazardous PM2.5 Exposure

2nd Place

Alexa Nakanishi

Greenwich High School, Grade 11

Multi Component Fixation Tracking in Gaze Interaction for Rapid, Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorders

3rd Place

Kenneth Choi

Ridgefield High School, Grade 12

Constructing General Hamiltonian Ground States on a Quantum Computer Using the Projected Cooling Sensor Algorithm

4th Place

William Bernfeld

King School, Grade 11

Non-Canonical Base Pairing in Self-Assembling DNA Crystals

5th Place

Sofia Pronina

Greenwich High School, Grade 12

Rapid, Low-Cost, Visual Lyme Disease Diagnosis via Lab-on-Chip, Chemiluminescent Detection of Borrelia-Induced Antibodies

Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Urban School Challenge, Middle School

The Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Urban School Challenge Program is designed to increase the participation and success of students in the fair from Connecticut’s priority districts. These students receive additional support through the program, including an opportunity to apply for $500 mini-grant support for transportation, laboratory equipment and/or supplies, field equipment, and display supplies and printing.

The Academy recognizes the Urban School Challenge – Middle School Winner. The student receives from the Academy a $250 award, a certificate of recognition from the Academy and their congressional representative; and the science department of the winner’s school receives a plaque and a $500 donation for supplies and equipment. Funding support for the program, including the student awards, is provided by Academy Member contributions, including donations to the Academy’s endowment fund.

Snigtha Mohanraj

Engineering and Science University Magnet School, Grade 8

Implementation of Metal-Oxide-Induced Agglomeration and Electromagnetic Filtration for Removal of Microplastics

Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Urban School Challenge, High School, H. Joseph Gerber Award of Excellence

The Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Urban School Challenge Program is designed to increase the participation and success of students in the fair from Connecticut’s priority districts. These students receive additional support through the program, including an opportunity to apply for $500 mini-grant support for transportation, laboratory equipment and/or supplies, field equipment, and display supplies and printing.

The Academy recognizes the Urban School Challenge – High School Winner with the H. Joseph Gerber Award of Excellence. This award is a tribute to Joe Gerber’s contributions as a leader in Connecticut business and technology innovation and is meant to serve as an inspiration for Connecticut’s young scientists. Joe Gerber was the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and the Connecticut Medal of Technology, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, and the founder of Gerber Scientific.

The winner receives a $1000 award, a plaque, certificates of recognition from the Academy and their congressional representative, and a book on the life of H. Joseph Gerber, “The Inventor’s Dilemma – The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber,” authored by his son, David Gerber; and the science department of the winner’s school receives a plaque and a $500 donation for supplies and equipment. Funding support for the program, including the student awards, is provided by Academy Member contributions, including donations to the Academy’s endowment fund.

Clayton Nyiri

Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Center

The Social Interactions and Learning Abilities Between Dogfish, Observed Using Two Different Methods of Target Training

Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair, Life and Physical Sciences, Senior Division, H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence

The H. Joseph Gerber Medal Excellence is awarded to the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair’s top winners of the Life and Physical Sciences Senior Division.

The H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence is a tribute to Joe Gerber’s contributions as a leader in Connecticut business and technology innovation and is meant to serve as an inspiration for Connecticut’s young scientists. Joe Gerber was the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and the Connecticut Medal of Technology, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, and the founder of Gerber Scientific.

Each student will receive a $1000 award, a symbolic solid silver H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence, certificates of recognition from the Academy and their congressional representative, and a book on the life of H. Joseph Gerber, “The Inventor’s Dilemma – The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber,” authored by his son, David Gerber; and the science department of the winner’s school receives a plaque and a $500 donation for supplies and equipment. Funding support for the program, including the student awards, is provided by Academy Member contributions, including donations to the Academy’s endowment fund.

Life Science Winner

Ambika Grover

Greenwich High School, Grade 10

Rapid, Noninvasive, Fluorescence-Based Detection for Elevated Levels of Nitric Oxide in Exhaled Breath, As a Marker for Hazardous PM2.5 Exposure

Physical Science Winner

Autumn Kim

Greenwich High School, Grade 12

Design of an Fe304/Bentonite/Graphite Coated Polyurethane Sponge for Economical and Eco-Friendly Oil Spill Recovery

INAUGURAL CASE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLICY FELLOWSHIP

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.”

Hagstrom-website

Anna L. Hagstrom, Phd

Inaugural CASE Science and Technology Policy Fellow

PFAS & Emerging Contaminants Policy, Remediation Division, Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse, DEEP

BIO +