Stony Brook University Receives Fourth Consecutive Science Education Grant From OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation
STONY BROOK, N.Y., April 28, 2010 — OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation has recently awarded a grant to Stony Brook University to support the High School Protein Modeling Challenge. The Challenge is centered on teams of high school students that use information from scientific databases and current research literature to build a model of a protein. They then come to Stony Brook where the models are assessed by teams of judges from OSI and the University. For the past three years the program has been led by Joan Kiely, Director of the Stony Brook Biotechnology Teaching Center, who is also the principal investigator of this award.
OSI Pharmaceuticals develops novel pharmaceutical products designed to extend life or improve the quality of life of patients with cancer, diabetes and obesity. “OSI is delighted with the relationship with Stony Brook University and is pleased to be able to support this outstanding program,” said Ann McDermott-Kave, Director of the OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation. “We are investing in our youth and our future.”
“Last year’s Protein Modeling Challenge attracted 36 teams and over a hundred students. Eight of the teams continued advanced work on protein modeling”, states Joan Kiely. “The OSI scientists have been fantastic. Our goal is to invite, excite and challenge students and teachers to learn more about current biomedical research.”
Director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Stony Brook, Professor David Bynum, adds, “Joan is outstanding at putting together these complex programs that involve scientists, students and teachers at so many levels. She has a way of creating programs that link high schools, our university and corporations that really benefit us all.
