Por Mildred Rivera Marrero / end.mrivera1@elnuevodia.com

Una asignación de $1 millón permitirá que 200 estudiantes del nivel subgraduado de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR) realicen investigaciones en el área tecnológica durante los próximos cuatro años.

El primer centenar de alumnos que participará del proyecto “BioMINDS” se reunió ayer en el recinto de Cayey de la UPR, explicó la doctora Rosa Buxeda, directora de la iniciativa.

Buxeda destacó que “BioMINDS” es “único en su naturaleza” porque impacta significativamente al grupo de estudiantes subgraduados del sistema universitario. El grupo recibirá un estipendio, así como fondos para comprar los materiales que requieran sus trabajos.

Selección

200
estudiantes que se beneficiarán de la aportación

Señaló que las investigaciones estarán limitadas a las áreas de bioproceso (desarrollo a gran escala de un organismo alterado genéticamente como se hace para producir ciertas drogas), biotecnología industrial, bioestadísticas, y bio ingeniería (unión de las ciencias vivas con la ingeniería para aplicarla al campo de la salud).

Al finalizar los trabajos de los primeros 100 estudiantes, se publicarán los resultados y se escogerá otro centenar de universitarios para iniciar otra fase de investigaciones, indicó Buxeda, coordinadora del programa de Biotecnología Industrial de la UPR en Mayagüez. Los universitarios participantes son de los recintos de Mayagüez, Humacao, Río Piedras, Cayey y Ciencias Médicas, que es donde mayor investigaciones se hacen.

Los jóvenes, que fueron seleccionados el año pasado, tuvieron que cumplir con los siguientes requisitos: promedio académico alto, cartas de recomendación, un ensayo sobre el impacto que tendrá el proyecto en sus vidas, el tema de investigación y el investigador con el trabajarían.

Buxeda explicó que los fondos del proyecto “BioMINDS” provienen de una donación de la Fundación Amgem, junto con un pareo de $25,000 de la UPR, que se usarán para que los jóvenes presenten sus trabajos en el exterior.

http://www.elnuevodia.com/diario/noticia/puertoricohoy/noticias/millonario_incentivo_para_investig

La Junta Administrativa del RUM hizo un recorrido por la Planta de Bioprocesos el pasado 31 de enero de 2008. A los miembros de la Junta le interesaba conocer el progreso de los trabajos en las facilidades de la moderna Planta Piloto que servirá para adistramientos, investigación y práctica en biotecnología y temas relacionados.

A continuación algunas imágenes de la visita.

LOCAL STUDENTS SPEND SUMMER VACATION ON THE FOREFRONT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Amgen Scholars Program Provides Students Hands-On Experience with Top Scientists

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (August 7, 2007)—While many students spent the summer relaxing, 15 students from Puerto Rico spent the summer doing hands-on research projects in some of science’s most cutting edge fields as Amgen Scholars at MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, UCSD, UW and UCSF.  They were 15 of nearly 240 undergraduate students from accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories selected to participate in the Amgen Scholars program. 

Participating local students included: Natalia Ramos, UPR Mayagüez; Patricia Sánchez, UPR Mayagüez; Eduardo Caro, UPR Río Piedras; Krystal Morales, UPR Río Piedras; Lissette Andrés, UPR Río Piedras; Alex Mercado, UPR Mayagüez; Freddyson Martinez, UPR San Germán, Guillermo Tirado, UPR Mayagüez; José Díaz, UPR Mayagüez, Cristina López, UPR Mayagüez; Jessenia Laguna, UPR Río Piedras; Elizabeth Guadalupe, UPR Río Piedras; Michelle Lozada, UPR Mayagüez; Yadira Soto, UPR Mayagüez; Judit Pérez, UPR San Juan.

The Amgen Scholars program, a $25 million, eight-year initiative, provides students the opportunity to explore their particular area of research beyond what they may be able to do as part of their regular undergraduate education.  The program includes partnerships with 10 of the nation’s premier universities to host undergraduates from across the nation who undertook research projects with the guidance of faculty mentors in fields ranging from biology to bioengineering to chemistry.  Overall, the 2007 Amgen Scholars represent nearly 100 colleges and universities across 36 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Our first class of Amgen Scholars includes some of the best and brightest undergraduates who are committed to making the most of their summer research experience,” said Jean J. Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation.  “The Amgen Foundation is committed to advancing science education and we hope the Amgen Scholars program will help serve as a real catalyst for continued success in their education and careers.”

The selected Amgen Scholars were given the opportunity to enhance their education by taking part in important university research projects, gain hands-on lab experience and contribute to the advancement of science.  Additionally, all of the Amgen Scholars attended a three-day symposium in Lake Tahoe, Calif. to discuss their research projects and hear firsthand from leading scientists in academia and industry, including faculty and staff from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, San Francisco and University of Washington, as well as scientists and researchers from Amgen.  Topics presented included the drug development process, discovery research and drug manufacturing.  Speakers also gave practical advice to students on effective oral and poster presentations – critical elements to career development.

Financial support for students is a critical component of the program which ensures that eligible students, regardless of their financial status, are able to participate. Students received financial support at each respective university in addition to travel and accommodations at the symposium.

Amgen Foundation’s 10 partner universities are California Institute of Technology; Columbia University/Barnard College; Howard University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, San Diego; University of California, San Francisco; and University of Washington. 

About the Amgen Foundation

The Amgen Foundation (www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html) seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made more than $85 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.

For more information about Amgen Scholars, visit www.amgenscholars.com.

CONTACT:  Miguel Pereira (Amgen Puerto Rico)

H&G (787) 751-1500      

On July 7, 2007 a group of members of the academe, under the guidance of Chancellor, Dr. Jorge I. Velez-Aroche, gather to work on a strategic plan document that will mark the birth of BEE.

Welcome to the BEE site. The BEE initiative…