R&D Council of NJ and Novartis Award Merit Scholarship to Samrawit Mekbeb of Teaneck, NJ

July 7, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kim Case, Executive Director of R&D Council of NJ

973-274-8336 or kcase@rdnj.com

R&D Council of NJ and Novartis

Award Merit Scholarship to Samrawit Mekbeb

Chatham, NJ – Research & Development Council of New Jersey (R&D Council) announces a 2015 Merit Scholarship to Samrawit Mekbeb of Teaneck sponsored by Novartis.

Samrawit is a student at Hudson County Community College studying Science. She is currently a member of Toastmasters International club and volunteers at the Physical Therapy Department of Hackensack UMC Fitness and Wellness. Samrawit plans to attend graduate school and become a Physical Therapist.

In August, Samrawit and 17 other recipients will attend the 6th Annual Merit Scholar Luncheon at an R&D Council member’s research and development facility to cultivate further interest in their field of study and strengthen their relationship with the R&D community. All recipients will also have an opportunity to meet prominent New Jersey-based researchers and innovators. Scholars will also be honored at the R&D Council’s 36th Edison Patent Awards Ceremony and Reception at the Liberty Science Center on November 12, 2015.

Each year, the R&D Council awards $1,500 and $750 scholarships sponsored by Council member organizations to outstanding community college students studying in a STEM field. It awards these scholarships to New Jersey students based on applicants’ minimum 3.5 grade point average, STEM field of interest, extracurricular activities, financial need, other awards, and post-graduation career goals. As a broad coalition of senior representatives from industry, academia, and government, the members of the R&D Council make these scholarships available through member-donated sponsorships.

For over half a century, the Chatham-based Research & Development Council of New Jersey has been dedicated to cultivating an environment supportive of the advancement of research and development throughout New Jersey. Established in 1962, the Council serves as a unifying voice for the three R&D sectors - industry, academia and government - to work with the State to create an environment R&D could thrive in. The R&D Council is a 501(c)(3) organization. More information can be found at www.rdnj.org.

127 Main Street Chatham, New Jersey 07928 - 973-274-8336 - www.rdnj.org