In the News

03.18.2004

"Medical Breakthroughs Could Happen Here"

by Dr. Timothy Bertram in the Hartford Courant

March 15 -10 is the National Science Foundation’s Excellence in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education Week. For the occasion, three members of the program committee of the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration have written on the importance of science education.

Which of the following is true? Scientists are nerds. Scientists are out of touch with the real world. Scientists can't agree about anything.

All three are unproven theories, which we scientists call "hypotheses." Scientists believe that experiments are the only way to answer important questions about what happens in the world around us. That's why we're so concerned about the declining status of science in America.

When and why do so many school-age kids conclude that science is not for them? The question is important if this country wants to maintain its position as a leading, technology-driven economy. Without science, the United States will become a second-rate also-ran country with a diminishing leadership role in today's fast-changing world.

The Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration is an important experiment. Here's how it works. Stir together young people, educators and scientists in the presence of catalysts like enthusiasm and gee-whiz science. Add the spark of exciting programs housed in a great Adriaen's Landing setting, and BOOM! We've ignited the ambition and passion of Connecticut's future scientists.

Pfizer is supporting this experiment because we are concerned about the challenges ahead. We help millions of people lead better lives - people living with cancer, HIV, diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, Alzheimer's disease and many other conditions - but our goal is to one day cure these diseases. Right now, we are working on many drugs that slow the aging process.

Medicine developers like me have a dream. We dream that someday we will defeat these terrible diseases. These breakthroughs could happen right here in Connecticut if we inspire young people to embrace the challenges of math and science.

I want to see my dream come true. I want to share it with the young people of Connecticut. I want them to become the next generation of researchers, and I want to fire their passion for science so that we find cures to the diseases that plague the world.

Timothy Bertram is vice president of global research and development for Pfizer, which has R&D facilities in Groton and New London.