Hepatitis B Foundation STEERS Students through Summer Enrichment Programs

PR Log (Press Release) – Aug 20, 2009 – DOYLESTOWN, PA –  The Hepatitis B Foundation  graduated 16 students from their 8th annual Summer Research Internship Program designed to steer them into exploring potential careers in the fast-growing areas of biomedical research, biotechnology, and public health research. The summer internships include a High School Enrichment Program, offered to students selected by the area school districts, and a College Internship Program that is highly competitive and attracts students from top tier colleges. This year the Foundation received more than 100 applications for eight college internships, which are funded in part by a grant from Merck’s West Point Charitable Contributions Committee and the Charles Sigety Family Foundation.

“Our research training programs enhance the students’ research abilities while providing them an awareness and appreciation of the importance of research, public health, and patient advocacy within the context of hepatitis B,” said Peggy Farley, Director of Programs at the Hepatitis B Foundation. “The participating students are mentored by our dedicated research and public health professionals in state of the art research labs.”

The College Summer Internship Program offers junior and senior year college students a 10-week paid summer research experience where they work on individual projects with professional scientists from the Hepatitis B Foundation. Students participate in the intellectual life of the Foundation’s research institute that includes daily lab meetings, and journal clubs and research seminars. At the conclusion of the 10 weeks, each student presents their project to the Foundation and its research faculty in a special ceremony that includes a presentation of certificates from the Foundation president. This program has been supported for many years by the Charles Sigety Family Foundation and Merck & Co. West Point Charitable Contributions Committee. This year’s Sigety Fellow was Lisa Faber and the two Merck Scholars were Daniela Hess and Tim Humpton.  College interns for 2009 included Beth Clearfield (Lafayette College), Lisa Faber (Delaware Valley College), Daniela Hess (Fordham University), Tim Humpton (MIT), Andrew Klein (Notre Dame), Amy Dunaway-Knight (University of Oklahoma), Matthew O’Donnell (Penn State University), Mark Pinkerton (Delaware Valley College), Ken Moritz (Penn State University), and Crystal Leonard (Bryn Mawr College).

The High School Science Enrichment Program provides high school students with hands-on research experience and exposure to the different career opportunities in biomedical research, biotechnology and public health. In addition to working in the lab on specific projects, students enjoy guest lectures; attend scientific seminars, and much more. This year’s participants were Victoria Avanzato (William Tennent High School), Julia Brokaw (Palisades High School), John Holby (Palisades High School), Jennifer Jang (Central Bucks South High School), Casey McGinley (Central Bucks East High School), Rachel Shulman (Central Bucks East High School), and April Wangment Zhang (Central Bucks South High School).

About the Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. For more information, visit www.hepb.org or call 215-489-4900Bi