Invitrogen Foundation Supports UB's Life Sciences Initiatives in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Invitrogen Foundation headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., has given the University at Buffalo $50,000 to support marketing and outreach efforts for UB's iSci: Career Pathways in the Life Sciences program.

The iSci program, which was created in 2007, increases awareness of local life sciences job opportunities in Western New York and creates new training programs at UB's Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and Millard Fillmore College to prepare individuals for careers in local life science companies and institutions. The program, co-developed by EOC and the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences at UB, is part of the UB 2020 and community-wide effort to grow a vibrant, knowledge-based economy in the Western New York region.

A leader in the biotech revolution, Invitrogen is committed to strengthening the pipeline of future life scientists. Through outreach and education, Invitrogen also seeks to increase society's understanding of life sciences and its critical role in addressing global issues. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery, including functional genomics, proteomics, stem cells, cell therapy and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Invitrogen operates a plant in Grand Island, N.Y. More than 4,700 employees work for Invitrogen in more than 70 countries.

"We are pleased to find a partner with common goals and appreciate that the University at Buffalo shares Invitrogen Foundation's passion for science and innovation," said Amanda Clardy, vice president of investor relations and corporate communication for Invitrogen Corporation. "Our goal is to drive lifelong learning, inspire students to become tomorrow's scientists and deepen the public's understanding of how science is shaping our global communities."

The Invitrogen grant will support iSciWNY orientation sessions, production of a promotional video, design and printing of high-quality marketing materials and multi-media advertising for the iSciWNY program. These efforts will promote the program to middle and high school students, college students, science teachers, guidance counselors, adult learners, transitioning workers and other community members who are interested in careers in the life sciences. A special effort will be made to reach out to the traditionally underserved populations within Buffalo and the Western New York region.

"The Buffalo Niagara region has a long history as a hub for biomedical research and education," said Marnie LaVigne, Ph.D., director of business development at the Center of Excellence. "It offers a critical mass of resources and expertise from UB, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Hauptman Woodward Medical Research Institute and various clinical and research organizations within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. And now through the Invitrogen gift, iSciWNY allows us to link these organizations with industry to empower individuals to pursue careers in the life sciences, including technical and non-technical positions."

"Invitrogen's support is vital to our marketing and outreach efforts," said Sheryl Weems, executive director of the EOC. "These efforts will help us to encourage the members our community to further investigate and pursue life sciences careers."

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.