PHILADELPHIA, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedImmune, Inc. presented its “Advancing Science for Better Health” Award to Parkway High School senior Desirae Lloyed at the 27th George Washington Carver Science Fair, held this month at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The award is designed to recognize the scientific work of a current Philadelphia-area high school junior or senior.
Technicians from MedImmune’s vaccine manufacturing facility in Philadelphia selected Lloyed’s project, “Micro Critters in the Public Bathroom,” because they believed it best exemplified the award’s spirit and purpose. A team of MedImmune judges looked at more than 70 projects in the fields of biochemistry, environmental science, behavioral science, medicine/health, and microbiology. Criteria for evaluation included alignment with MedImmune’s core values, as well as biological relevance to the causes, treatment and prevention of human disease.
In her project, Lloyed studied the effectiveness of different brand-name products used to clean a public restroom. She found that many of these major products should not be relied upon as an effective cleaner or disinfectant. During her study, for example, she examined the ability of a variety of household cleaners to kill germs on bathroom surfaces. Her results concluded that some of these products failed to kill any germs at all.
Lloyed, who is interested in attending college at Drexel, LaSalle, Saint Joseph’s or Temple, intends to major in psychology. She currently is enrolled in the Advanced Placement Environmental Science course at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center. She received a trophy, award certificate, $100 gift check and an offer for a six-week paid internship at MedImmune as part of her award.
MedImmune employees also benefited from their experience at the science fair. “I was amazed with these children,” commented Tony Mitchell, manufacturing technician II. “It was a truly wonderful experience.”
In addition to commissioning the special award, MedImmune was a sponsor at this year’s science fair, which included projects from more than 500 students from schools in the Philadelphia county area. Nancy Peter, special awards chair of the event, expressed her gratitude to MedImmune. “Overall, MedImmune participation was fantastic,” she said. “In fact, it has inspired me to solicit additional summer opportunities from local organizations for the students next year.”
Toni Stiefel, director, community relations at MedImmune noted how the company’s continued support of science and health education is expanding. “Advancing health and science education is a key objective for MedImmune. By supporting the science fair, we can participate in our local communities and, in the long-term, encourage students to pursue careers in science,” she said. “This year MedImmune is sponsoring fairs in the four U.S. cities where the majority of our employees work and live. Each site’s employees participate by serving as science fair judges and, subsequently, by mentoring a local student through the awarded internship. It’s exciting to work on a corporate initiative that has such local relevance.”
About MedImmune, Inc.
MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to patients, new medical options for physicians, rewarding careers to employees, and increased value to shareholders. Dedicated to advancing science and medicine to help people live better lives, the company is focused on the areas of infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. With more than 2,200 employees worldwide, MedImmune is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.medimmune.com.
MedImmune, Inc.
CONTACT: Clarencia Stephen of MedImmune, Inc., +1-301-398-4073
Web site: http://www.medimmune.com//
