51Æ·²è

The and the (Biddeford) published stories Aug. 11, 2011 on the 51Æ·²èCenter for Excellence in the Neurosciences' summer internship capstone program. The program was the culmination of an 11-week internship introducing seven Maine students to the connection between medicine, research and entrepreneurship.

The program was developed under the leadership of Edward Bilsky, Ph.D., director of the center and professor of pharmacology in UNECOM. Interns attended lectures on research, were mentored by 51Æ·²èstudent interns in the labs, and got experience at local businesses and labs.

"You can have the greatest discovery in the world, but if it doesn't translate back up into something ... it's a disservice to that technology," Bilsky said. The program culminated Aug. 10th with students' presentations of what they have learned.

"The business aspect was the most unique part for me," Danielle Rafferty said in the Press Herald story. "I really had no idea biotech research was being done here (in Maine)." Rafferty, a 2010 graduate of Kennebunk High School, is studying bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

Interns Allison Saunders of Saco, Evan Shuris of Kennebunk and Hannah Clarke of Falmouth were quoted in the Journal Tribune story.

Biddeford City Manager John Bubier told the Journal Tribune that "Traditional manufacturing jobs are going by the wayside in Maine, especially in southern Maine. Working with 51Æ·²èto create a technically trained workforce and incubating small businesses is a way to grow the economy for the region and Biddeford in particular."

The keynote speaker for the capstone program was Dr. Lee Thibodeau, a neurosurgeon in Portland, who co-founded Maine Distilleries LLC, known for its potato-made Cold River Vodka.

He encouraged students to be innovative, continue research and consider entrepreneurial business opportunities. "This state has a big future, and bringing technology into this state is the way to do it."