2008 Beckman Coulter Sponsorships Promote Student Participation and Scientific Education

Helping to grow the scientific and medical community—and driving a more vital field of laboratory medicine—is a top priority for Beckman Coulter. This year, the company’s sponsorships are going a long way to recognize professional achievements, and further student participation and scientific education.

Here’s a glimpse into the partnerships that are making it all possible—and the winners who realized the benefits at the recent 2008 AACC/ASCLS Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Van Slyke Foundation
With the help of grants from Beckman Coulter, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) encouraged students and scientists to participate in its recent annual meeting by awarding student travel grants via its philanthropic arm, the Van Slyke Foundation. Through this grant, 15 students and one international travel recipient were given the opportunity to attend AACC/ASCLSs’ annual meetings where they learned about the industry first-hand, exchanged ideas, networked and increased their scientific knowledge.

“Our sponsorships are an investment to highlight professional excellence and involve promising students in the best the industry has to offer,” explains Jack Zakowski, Beckman Coulter’s director of Scientific Affairs and Professional Relations.

ASCLS Student Travel Awards
This year marked the inaugural year of the Beckman Coulter Student Travel Grant for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).  This new student travel grant program allows ASCLS to acknowledge the contributions of its youngest members by assisting them with travel expenses to attend and experience this year’s ASCLS annual meeting and Clinical Lab Expo (CLE). 

Besides having the chance to visit 700 exhibitors at this year’s CLE event, the students were also able to springboard their professional development as they actively participated in educational sessions; forums; networking and governance activities; and were recognized at the CLE Awards Dinner.

When asked why attending the conference was important to her, award recipient Andrea Andrews, from Longmont, Colorado (USA), said, “I feel my attendance would help me to be a better voice for my peers. It would help me to encourage students to become more active in the profession and to know the support they have through organizations like ASCLS.” 

Another recipient, Krystal Triplett, from Germantown, Tennessee (USA), added that she wants “… to learn more about concerns that affect clinical laboratory scientists, network with other professionals from across the country, continue my involvement and contribution to the society and speak with vendors in an effort to learn more about the new technological advances …”   

2008 Beckman Coulter Sponsorship Award Winners

• Susan A. Evans, Ph.D.

• Dr. Ishwarlal (Kenny) Jialal

• 15 Individual Student Travel Awards
• International Travel Grant Recipient - Q.F. Maria Cristina Ures-Pantazi, Ph.D. (Uruguay)

ASCLS Student Travel Grants

• Andrea Andrews
• Thomas Stapleton
• Joan Edge-Suarez
• Michele Yost
• Krystal Triplett
• Holly Owens