Page 15 - Abacoa Community News - April '25

Abacoa, Page 15

Science on the Cutting Edge from page 14

The Hope in
Discovery Award went
to Ronnie Potter, who
lost her husband, Bill
Potter, to glioblastoma
multiforme, or GBM, six
years ago. Her donation
helped create the William
Potter Glioblastoma Hope in Discovery Award
Research Fund at The Recipient Ronnie Potter with Graduate Student Fellows: a. Glenn W. Bailey Fellow,
Wertheim UF Scripps Dr. Courtney Miller Chuting Chang; b. Wertheim Fellow, Madison Reed; c. Dr. The “Ask Max” Program, a cornerstone of MPFI’s
Institute. “I thought that Herbert Wertheim; d. Wertheim Fellow, Adriana Almeria; e. community engagement initiatives, connects students and
the gift would really help in so many ways,” Ronnie Wertheim Fellow, Matt Swanson; f. Wertheim Fellow, Tony educators with groundbreaking neuroscience activities.
Potter said. “It wouldn’t just be treating one person or Kuo; g. Wertheim Fellow, Jeilei Wang Students learn about the brain, genetics, microscopy and more
one hospital, it would be used forever and help lots of through engaging hands-on activities and direct interaction with
people. I just think anything that can prolong life is “Students in the program don’t just learn, they actively world-class scientists.
worthwhile.” Neuroscientist Courtney Miller, Ph.D., is contribute to science – transforming their summer into a life- “We are deeply grateful to Donald and Penny Pray and the
leading development of an experimental medication that changing experience,” said Professor Miller, the institute’s Stiles Nicholson Foundation for their unwavering support and
attacks glioblastoma in new ways, by disabling its ability director of academic affairs. belief in the transformative power of science education,” said
to grow and travel. Discover Your Difference Dr. David Fitzpatrick, CEO and scientific director of MPFI.
“We’re moving into a relatively new area,” Miller https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/support-science/ “Their generosity ensures that we can continue to engage and
said. “With Ronnie’s gift, we’re able to get that initial, inspire students, empowering the next generation of innovative
preliminary data to give confidence to reviewers for the thinkers and researchers.”
NIH that we know exactly what we’re doing and that the
money would be well invested in the research that we’re Help Local Students Develop A Love Of STEM
doing, so we can make a big difference in GBM.”
The Partner in Discovery Award went to the Glenn Calling on the audience to support the campaign, Dr.
W. Bailey Foundation of West Palm Beach, whose 2023 Fitzpatrick emphasized that “now, more than ever, MPFI needs
gift established The Glenn W. Bailey STEM Education and MPFI Seeks The Community’s the community’s help” for the Institute to be successful. Every
Outreach Programs at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. Help For Ask Max Program dollar donated to the Ask Max Program during this matching
Mr. Glenn Bailey was the founder and former chairman of campaign will have twice the impact, helping MPFI expand
the Fortune 500 Bairnco Corp. His foundation’s mission Challenge its reach and provide even more opportunities for students to
is “to foster pathways to success in globally competitive explore the wonders of neuroscience. Last year, MPFI scientists
STEM careers for students in the United States.” Guests at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience reached over 7,000 students. The program is on track to impact
The Bailey Foundation’s grant to The Wertheim (MPFI)’s Science Meets Music heard a special announcement as many as 10,000 in the 2024-2025 school year.
UF Scripps Institute provides fellowships to doctoral Wednesday night, one that will make a big impact on science The Pray Family and the Stiles Nicholson Foundation have
students, and underwrites science education experiences education throughout South Florida. long been champions of science education and innovation.
for students, educators, and youth groups in Palm Beach CEO David Fitzpatrick announced that Donald and Penny Their matching pledge reflects their shared commitment to
and Martin counties. Pray and the Stiles Nicholson Foundation have committed advancing the understanding of the brain and fostering a love
The cornerstone is an intensive eight-week summer to matching all donations to MPFI’s “Ask Max” STEM of learning in students from all backgrounds.
research internship available to rising juniors and seniors Education Program, up to $50,000. This commitment will MPFI invites the community to join this exciting initiative
in high school. Thanks to another longtime philanthropic double the impact of every contribution, empowering MPFI’s and make a difference in the lives of students and educators.
partnership, these summer interns are known as Kenan mission to bring more cutting-edge STEM experiences to You can donate to “Ask Max” online or by contacting MPFI’s
Fellows. children throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties. Advancement Office at giving@mpfi.org.