Presidential Award Recognizes Inclusionary Teaching

Professor David Bynum, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, is among only 10 individuals nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Professor Bynum was honored, along with six organizations, for "achieving remarkable results in increasing the participation of minorities, women, and disabled students in science, mathematics and engineering."

Prof. Bynum is the founder and Director of the Long Island Group Advancing Science Education (LIGASE). The organization develops educational opportunities for elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students to participate in laboratory experiences at Stony Brook. Nearly 20,000 high school students have conducted molecular biology experiments through LIGASE.

On receiving the award Prof. Bynum said, "This Presidential Award will make available even more opportunities to develop programs that benefit Long Island and New York students. This resonates with the mission of the University, the needs of the schools, and the provisions of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act."

Dr. Bynum has encouraged undergraduate student research through the establishment of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) research scholarships totaling more than $300,000. He has also secured over $9 million in external funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

LIGASE's activities include the Biology Participation in Research and Education Program, a six-week residential summer program for under-represented minority students at two-year institutions; the Howard Hughes Medical Institute High School Summer Scholar Program and the Biotechnology Summer Camp, residential programs for high school students interested in biological science research; summer workshops and equipment loan programs for teachers; a masters degree program for biology teachers (MAT); and the Biotechnology Teaching Laboratory (BTL), which introduces elementary and secondary school students to biotechnology and molecular biology. Prof. Bynum conducted the BTL program at Stony Brook Manhattan in May to work with New York City students.

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