Connecticut Technology Council Announces Winners of the Eighth Annual Women of Innovation Awards Program

Ten women from across Connecticut received top honors for their research and leadership while the eighth annual Women of Research awards dinner held March 1st at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. The Connecticut Innovation Council held the awards program to recognize women in the workforce who are innovators, role models and leaders in the fields of technology, science and engineering. Outstanding young women in high school and college were as well recognized. More than 500 guests attended this year's event, which was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation, Covidien, the law firm of Day Pitney LLP, and United Technologies Corporation.

The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony

The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was Dr. Alicia Abella, executive director of the Innovative Services Technology Department at AT&T Labs and chair of its Fellowship program. Dr. Abella manages a group of researchers specializing in data mining, user interfaces, IPTV, mobile services, SIP/VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) innovation, and environmental sustainability. She is as well executive vice president for the Young Science Achievers program and a strong advocate of fostering the development of minorities and women in science and engineering. In 2011, President Obama named Dr. Abella to his Presidential Advisory Commission for Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Susan Brown, Teacher - Applied Research, New Haven Public Schools-Mauro Sheridan Magnet School. As a science, innovation and robotics teacher for middle school students in New Haven, Ms. Brown is passionate about teaching children how to think, create, and find their authentic selves.

Deb Santy, Director, Connecticut SBIR Office. Pursuant to this agreement Ms. Santy's leadership, the Connecticut SBIR Office has helped high-tech small businesses and entrepreneurs compete for and win federal SBIR/STTR awards. Her office as well facilitates commercialization by collaborating with industry, government and academia.

The Connecticut Innovation Council is Connecticut's industry association for the technology sector. CTC's mission is to "connect people, ideas and opportunities to the global technology and technology community." CTC provides members with business assistance and specialized programs, just in case to promoting and supporting public policies that globally position Connecticut's "culture of research" that helps attract great ideas and entrepreneurs to develop new jobs and wealth for the state.