Entech Innovation Center & IVDiagnostics host M&M Event

Middle school girls and their mentors in the STEM Mentor program will explore the field of biomedical science as IVDiagnostics and Entech Innovation Center hosts Discoveries Unlimited on December 11, 2010.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to have the Entech Innovation Center host the last in the series of Mentor and Mentee events for 2010,” stated Charlie McGill, Executive Director of the Entech Innovation Center.  “It’s a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the student participants how an education in STEM disciplines can lead to the creation and development of life saving diagnostic tools, like the type IVDiagnostics is developing, to detect cancer at much earlier stages than is currently available today. The objective of this event is to show the Discoveries Unlimited participants the exciting and rewarding career choices that are available in the STEM professions.”

IVDiagnostics is a biomedical diagnostic company operating a research laboratory at the Entech Innovation Center in Valparaiso.  “We believe the STEM program can enlighten student awareness to diverse careers such as becoming a research scientist that can have a positive impact on people’s lives,” stated Frank Szczepanski, CEO of IVDiagnostics.

IVDiagnostics team members, including interns from Purdue North Central, will provide the visiting Mentors and Mentees with a hands-on demonstration illustrating how to put their knowledge to use in a real life research related to cancer diagnostics. Dr. John Feczko, Director of Pathology at Porter Health System will be on hand to talk about how the research efforts of IVDiagnostics can impact the work conducted in the field of pathology.

Tom Szczepanski, Director of Marketing & Support, indicated that the company is eager to support students interested in learning more about applied science.  “Students can see how companies in NWI are working to create useful tools and solutions that can save patient lives and assist oncologists with better diagnosis.”

Discoveries Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring middle school girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Its STEM Mentor program pairs middle schools girls with STEM industry professional in one-on-one mentor teams. The goal is to encourage and support their interests in STEM education and careers, fostering lifelong STEM learners. Additionally, by collaborating with the business community, Discoveries Unlimited provides insight to STEM career paths available in Northwest Indiana encouraging girls to remain in the communities that educate them, build workforce capacity and support economic development.

IVDiagnostics highly recommends other technology companies share their experience and guidance with Discoveries Unlimited.

For more information on IVDiagnostics, please contact Tom Szczepanski at 219-840-0007 or visit their website at www.ivdiagnostics.com.  To learn more about Discoveries Unlimited and their STEM Mentor program, please visit their website at www.discoveriesunlimtied.org or contact Cathie Dull at 219-508-5606.