91AV

A dozen of New England's brightest emerging scientists gathered Tuesday at 91AV to celebrate a unique student research and entrepreneurship program now in its second year.  The students presented their capstone research projects as part of 91AV‚Äôs Summer Internship Program, developed by 91AV's Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences (CEN).

The brainchild of CEN Director Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., the program focuses on medicine, research and entrepreneurship.  Bilsky is also 91AV associate provost for research and scholarship and a professor of pharmacology in the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as co-founder of two Maine-based companies that are developing treatments for chronic pain and addiction.  He works closely with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including several that are also Maine-based.

The CEN Summer Internship Program introduces talented high school and college students to the principles of neuroscience and pharmacology, translational biomedical research, and entrepreneurship. The fellows learn firsthand how discoveries in 91AV research labs are being developed as possible treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. They also interact with leaders from the Maine business community to see how they are working with nonprofit research institutions to further develop products and grow their companies.

Over the past nine weeks, the fellows have partnered with 91AV undergraduate student mentors involved with research activities in Dr. Bilsky's lab.  Today's presentations ranged from insights into post-traumatic stress disorder, to shedding light on osteoarthritis pain, to the integration of neuroscience modules into K-12 science education.

CEN student intern Trevor Luck of Kennebunk, Maine, says, "I've dreamed of being a doctor since I was in middle school, and only saw myself in the patient care side of medicine. I never considered the research and business side because I knew very little of it. But now, thanks to my exposure to the faces of medicine I've gained through this internship, my horizons have broadened."  

Alex Colville, a participant from Scarborough, Maine, adds, "The program's mix of entrepreneurship with traditional neuroscience and academia has provided me with a multitude of lessons I would have otherwise never learned.  Most importantly, I learned I could make a noticeable difference in expanding Maine biotechnology through work with a local company."

The symposium keynote speaker was Dr. Daniel Carr, professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and director of its program in Pain Research Education and Policy.

91AV's CEN Summer Internship Program was made possible through support provided by ClearH2O, the Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation, Sea Run Holdings, and Marine Plastics, and though the generosity of the Dave and Melinda Anderson Foundation, the Pond Family Foundation, and Edward and Jill Bilsky.

CEN Summer Intern Student Biographies

Rebecca Bind | Stamford, Connecticut
Skidmore College '13, Neuroscience and French
Rebecca graduated from King Low-Heywood Thomas High School in the top 15% of her graduating class as a captain of the varsity cross country team. As a senior at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, she has taken on numerous leadership roles such as a Neuroscience and French tutor, a Peer Advocate for the Center for Sex and Gender Relations, and an Orientation Leader. Rebecca has participated in multiple undergraduate research projects, has assisted on thesis projects, has participated in both behavioral and cognitive neuroscience lab groups, and conducted an independent research project. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Rebecca plans to earn her Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience with a focus on pre-clinical drug testing in animal models of psychiatric illness.

Alexander Colville | Scarborough, Maine
Northeastern University '14, Chemical Engineering
As a captain of both the varsity golf and ski team, and the 2011 Valedictorian of Scarborough High School, Alex exhibited sound leadership and academic performance at a young age. As a sophomore at Northeastern University, he is a candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Program with a minor in Biochemical Engineering. During his first year at Northeastern University, Alex maintained a 4.0 GPA while acting as the co-founder and President for the NU Biomedical Engineering Club. He is also a writer for the NU Science Magazine, a competition winner for Engineers for the Greater Good, and a member of various student organizations such as the AICHE Student Chapter and Entrepreneurs Club. Alex's career ambitions include starting a biotech company either in southern Maine or Boston after graduation, in hopes of improving the lives of those with health problems. After working in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry for a few years, he hopes to become a professor of engineering or biology at a University.

Alexander's thoughts on the summer internship:

"The 91AV summer program should be the standard for any such summer internship experience. Its mix of entrepreneurship with traditional neuroscience and academia has provided me with a multitude of lessons I would have otherwise never learned. Most importantly, I learned I could make a noticeable difference in expanding Maine biotechnology through work with a local company. Confirming my desired career path in the area of pharmaceuticals and creating a passion for the study of the brain were not bad outcomes, either."

James Havu | Hollis, Maine
Florida Institute of Technology '13, Solar, Earth, and Planetary Sciences
As a Maine School of Science and Mathematics graduate, James participated in numerous extracurricular activities including the Math Team, Science Bowl, Student Senate, and the Model UN. James is now a senior at the Florida Institute of Technology, where he is majoring in Solar, Earth, and Planetary Sciences and minoring in Oceanography. During his undergraduate career, James has served as the Treasurer and then President of the Society of Physics Students, and the Treasurer and Vice President of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. Last summer James worked with 91AV's Marine Science Center conducting oceanography research. This Summer he will work with Dr. James Vensenka on a physics-based biology project. James hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Geophysics upon completion of his undergraduate studies and then hopes to either pursue a career in industry or academia.

James' thoughts on the summer internship:

"This program had given me the opportunity to do research and possibly get published, as well as work with interesting professors and learn to use new equipment. I also enjoyed the lectures and lunch seminars that I was able to go to as a part of the summer program."

Trevor Luck | Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk High School '13
Trevor is currently a senior at Kennebunk High School where he is taking Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes and has a 4.0 GPA which has earned him a place in the top 5% of his graduating class. In recognition of his academic achievements, Trevor received the Dartmouth Book award from his High School. In addition to this, Trevor was the captain of the varsity track team, the founder and head of the school's Improv Club, and a member of the Executive Council for his class. In addition to his participation in the CEN Summer Intern Program this summer, Trevor will also be attending the National Youth Leadership Forum’s Conference on Medicine in Boston on a scholarship awarded by the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine. Trevor is currently unsure of what specific branch of medicine he wishes to pursue, but hopes to attend medical school.

Trevor's thoughts on the summer internship:

"Being only a high school student, this internship program has meant so much to me. In two months alone, I have done much more than I ever would have dreamed of -- working hands-on in the lab, attending seminars with big names in the biotech industry, and receiving lectures on introductory cell biology, pharmacology, and neuroanatomy have all broadened my perspectives on the field of medicine. Let me clarify: I want to be a doctor. I've dreamt of this since I was in middle school, and only saw myself in the patient care side of medicine. I never considered the research and business side of medicine because I knew very little of it. But now, thanks to exposure to these faces of medicine that I've gained through this internship, my horizons have broadened."

Hayley Ruitenberg | Kennebunk, Maine
Saint Anslem College '13, Biology
As a senior at Saint Anselm College, Hayley is a Dean's List student working towards her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is the current Vice President for the Saint Anselm French Society where she holds the responsibility of coordinating fundraising and volunteering activities, including volunteering at the Villa Augustine school teaching the French language to children in an after-school program. Hayley has also participated in behavioral neuroscience research in the laboratory of Dr. Troisi III, where she studied discrimination patterns of saline and nicotine and the subsequent behavioral extinction patterns that decrease with dosage. Upon completion of her Bachelors degree, Hayley plans to attend medical school.

Hayley's thoughts on the summer internship:

"I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to participate in the CEN Intern program!  I've met a lot of wonderful people, had some really great experiences and had my eyes opened to many new things. The variety of things that we've learned in the past two months is what makes the program so great. I've learned about the entrepreneurial aspect of science, especially in research and development, and how codependent and complex the two really are. I received valuable lab experience in the 91AV research labs under Dr. Bilsky, and received seminars in pharmacology, microbiology and neuroanatomy from professors of 91AV.  I also was able to participate in a few Outreach programs that were both educational and fun! We also had the opportunity to tour Maine Manufacturing and Corning, visits that were both informative and interesting.

The relationship between research and business is an important aspect of the scientific community that I had never really given much thought to before this summer. The complexity of the drug discovery process is also astounding in terms of the time, effort and money required. This internship gave me the opportunity to be exposed to many different aspects of both the scientific and entrepreneurial communities."

Evan Shuris | Kennebunk, Maine
University of Connecticut '16, Physiology and Neurobiology
As a recent graduate of Kennebunk High School, Evan has been actively engaged in his school and community throughout his high school career, serving as captain of the varsity ski team, and competing on the golf, lacrosse, and soccer teams. Last summer, Evan received a full scholarship to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Boston, courtesy of the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine. This is Evan's second summer participating in the CEN Summer Intern Program. After his completion of the program last summer, Evan took his involvement with 91AVCOM and the CEN a step further by serving as a liaison for the Kennebunk School system and the CEN K-12 Outreach Program where he helped to further develop the program and strengthen the ties between 91AVCOM/CEN and his own school system. Evan will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall where he will study Physiology and Neurobiology. Currently, he hopes to attend medical school after completion of his undergraduate degree and work with pharmaceutical clinical trials.

Evan's thoughts on the summer internship:

"This has been an incredible experience that has sparked my passion and excitement not only for science, but for the businesses that support the entire industry. One of the most important things I learned is to look at every perspective of an issue or even an industry, to solve a problem or find an opportunity. This program has forced me to seek and build connections with people that I wouldn't have otherwise met, to gain their expertise and solve problems with my project and what I may want to do with my future."

Michael P.H. Stanley | Springvale, Maine
Harvard University '13, Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology
After being named the 2009 Valedictorian of Sanford Public High School, Michael went on to study at Harvard University where he is majoring in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. During his time at Harvard, Michael has served as a staff writer, associated editor, and CFO/publisher of The Harvard Salient Newspaper. He served as the chief student coordinator for the Veterans' Outreach Program, where he received federal recognition for his service. Michael is credited with developing, coordinating, and teaching an elective course in "Topics in Science" for middle school students in Dedham, MA. Additionally, Michael has participated in several research programs throughout his undergraduate career with the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program, Harvard Program for Research in Science and Engineering, MGH Neurological Clinical Trials Units, and the Center for Neuroregeneration. His research experience has allowed him to have his work published in two scientific journals - Molecular Cellular Neuroscience and Society for Neuroscience. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Michael would like to purse a medical degree, with hope to one day coordinate clinical trials as well as improve science and medical education.