Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences' summer internship program featured in Seacoast Online

Seacoast Online published a story and photo on July 14, 2011 on the UNE Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences' summer internship program. The program is introducing seven Maine students to the connection between medicine, research and entrepreneurship. The story noted that two of the students are from Kennebunk — Kennebunk High School senior Evan Shuris and University of Pennsylvania sophomore Danielle Rafferty.

The program was developed under the leadership of Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., director of the center and professor of pharmacology in UNECOM.

Shuris explained in the story that "it has been a really interesting experience, especially all the people we are getting introduced to...they have done impressive research. I didn't realize all these people who worked for the university were so influential."

Rafferty told the reporter: "I love Maine. My family is here. I didn't realize there were so many biotech companies in Maine. They are kind of under the radar, and hearing about them has been eye-opening for me. I used to say I'd never want to come back to Maine, but there are a lot more opportunities here than I thought.

Interns in the photo at right are Taylor Piers, Hannah Clarke, Hannah Doss, Danielle Rafferty, Allison Saunders, and Evan Shuris.

Another story on the CEN summer internship program was picked up by 14 online media outlets including Yahoo News, the Columbus Dispatch., and a number of ABC affiliates such as Chicago's WLS TV.