Merck Health Innovation Awards 2009
The pharmaceutical company Merck, currently celebrating the 60th anniversary of its operations in Puerto Rico, announced and conferred the Merck Health Innovation Awards during a ceremony that recognized outstanding persons or entities in each of the following areas: Clinical Research, Engineering Sciences Research, Education, and Environmental Preservation. This is the third consecutive year that the prize is bestowed for programs and innovative initiatives whose results have had a positive impact on the health and quality of life of the residents of the Island.
The presentation, held at the Banker´s Club in Hato Rey, featured Dr. César Simich, Vice President and General Manager for Merck Sharp & Dohme for the Caribbean Region, who underlined the importance of these awards to those who have excelled in their commitment to the advancement of health in Puerto Rico.
All award recipients have close ties to the University of Puerto Rico. They are:
Ivonne Z. Jiménez Velázquez, M.D.; UPR Medical Sciences Campus
Category: Clinical Research
Project: Genetic Family Study of Alzheimer´s Disease in Puerto Rico
Custom Design Immunologics Laboratories, Inc. (Bioprocess Development and Training Complex)
Category: Engineering Sciences Research
Project: Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies against the Human Proteome
Instituto Universitario para el Desarrollo de Comunidades; UPR Mayagüez Campus
Category: Education
Project: Vinculando la educación y el servicio comunitario en equipo hacia la autogestión
[Linking Education and Community Service Teams Towards Attaining Self Management]
Sonia M. Miranda, Architect, and Fernando Abruña, Architect; UPR School of Architecture
Category: The Environment
Project: Taller de diseño sostenible de la Escuela de Arquitectura del Recinto de Río Piedras [Workshop for Sustainable Design at the School of Architecture of the Río Piedras Campus]
The University of Puerto Rico was represented in the ceremony by Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Dr. Gladys Escalona de Motta, Dr. José R. Carlo, Dr. Walter Silva, Dr. Walmor De Mello, and Dr. Julio Benabe.
We congratulate Merck for recognizing the importance of innovation for the socio-economic development of the Island.
