The San Diego Foundation Celebrates The Blasker Grants Program’s 10th Anniversary
Nov
11
Written by:
11/11/2011 8:15 AM
During its 10-year history, the fund has granted more than $6.5 million in support of more than 100 early career scientists
Nov. 11, 2011 - The San Diego Foundation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Blasker Grants Program at a luncheon held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at The Foundation’s Center for Civic Engagement.
The Blasker Award was launched through an $8.9 million endowment to The San
Diego Foundation in 2001. The endowment was established by Samuel L. Blasker, a
former aeronautical engineer for Convair in San Diego, to honor his mother, Rose
Miah, and to foster scientific innovation. To date, the fund has granted more than
$4.5 million in support of 80 early career scientists in the Science & Technology
Program, and more than $1.95 million to support 29 early career scientists in their
research that advances solutions to our region's most pressing environmental
concerns, including California's first regional assessment of climate impacts.
"The Blasker program is critical in advancing science and fostering the careers of
young innovative scientists which contribute to the region's economy. This
ultimately improves the quality of life for people in the San Diego region. This year,
more than $500,000 was granted to support nine projects from five research
institutions. I am thrilled to be a part of the working group selecting these talented
scientists and their research," said Ned A, Smith, PhD, Chair of The San Diego
Foundation's Science & Technology Working Group.
"The generosity and vision of Samuel Blasker," said Bob Kelly, President and CEO of
The San Diego Foundation, "has built an enduring legacy that has inspired creativity
in the scientific, engineering and medical communities. The grants have helped
produce nearly 200 scientific publications and have impacted approximately 600
student researchers throughout San Diego. This is the kind of spirit and innovation
that Sam envisioned when he endowed the fund."
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