Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Renews Grant for Science Mentoring Program at Yale

Funding of Yale University’s flagship program for broadening access to the sciences by identifying and nurturing talented students has been renewed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Through the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc. the Ridgefield-based subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals is supporting the STARS (Science, Technology and Research Scholars) program for three more years. The STARS program, initiated in 1995 with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, is designed to enhance the academic success of groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and engineering. Support from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals beginning in 1999 made it possible to double the number of participants in the program.

The program includes study groups, research opportunities, strong mentoring relationships and the development of a cooperative community of scholars. The STARS I program supports freshmen and sophomores during the early and critical transitional years of their undergraduate education. The STARS II program provides juniors and seniors with the opportunity to have an in-depth summer and academic year research experience under the supervision of Yale faculty.

“Boehringer Ingelheim strongly believes there is no better avenue to finding solutions for today’s medical challenges than by bringing together talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and life experiences,” said Professor Dr. Peter Mueller, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “Pharmaceutical companies thrive on innovation. By identifying and nurturing science students early in their academic careers, the STARS program helps insure diversity and excellence in scientific research in the future.”

A report prepared by Yale’s Office of Institutional Research found that participation in the STARS program significantly enhanced academic performance and persistence to a science degree. Of all the factors influencing persistence in the sciences, STARS participation was identified as the single most important factor.

Each year, more than 100 students participate in STARS programs. This fall, 35 freshmen out of more than 60 applicants were selected for admission to the program. Faculty mentors, graduate students and advanced STARS students help guide the new STARS participants in biology, molecular biophysics and biochemistry, chemical and biomedical engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science courses.

Richard Brodhead, dean of Yale College, said “the STARS program has a demonstrated record of success in encouraging talented students to persist in the sciences. The community of scientists of the future will be the stronger for the support STARS gave students at a critical early period in their education.”

Brodhead added, “Yale is proud to have joined with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals to broaden access to the sciences and to promote the success of traditionally underrepresented students in the classroom, in research, in earning prestigious fellowships, and in admission to the nation’s top graduate and professional schools.”

The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc. is an independent, charitable organization established in 2001 by the Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, Connecticut). The Foundation’s mission is to improve lives through innovative philanthropic contributions and donations of healthcare products and resources.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies, with headquarters in Ingelheim (Germany) is one of the 20 leading pharmaceutical firms in the world and reported revenues of almost US $5.8 billion in 2000.

Boehringer Ingelheim, which has some 140 affiliated companies worldwide, focuses on human pharmaceuticals and animal health. The human pharmaceuticals business, which accounts for 95% of sales, is comprised of prescription medicines, consumer health care products and chemicals and biopharmaceuticals for industrial customers. Research and development, production, and distribution facilities are located around the globe. In 2000, Boehringer Ingelheim spent almost US $914 million on R&D, equivalent to 15.6% of net sales.

For more information on Boehringer Ingelheim, please see the international Internet website www.boehringer-ingelheim.com