History

In 1976, recognizing the need for authoritative and organized technical advice for state government, about one hundred technical individuals from both academic and industrial fields formed the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering ("the Academy"), a private nonprofit corporation patterned after the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy was chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1976 as a 200-member organization whose main purpose was to advise state government and industry "in the application of science and engineering to the economic and social welfare." (Special Act No. 76-53)

Membership

The Academy is limited by its Bylaws to 400 members, who must live or work in Connecticut. They are elected by the current membership on the basis of their accomplishments in science, engineering and/or technology. In particular, scientists and engineers may be considered for membership on the basis of fulfillment of either or both of the following criteria:

Organization

A Council of eleven members, including four officers and the past president, governs the Academy. The present members of Council are:

Officers

• President : Gale F. Hoffnagle, TRC Environmental Corporation, Inc.
• Vice-President/President Elect: Louis Manzione, University of Hartford
• Treasurer: Phillip Gardner, Coherent, Inc. (ret.)
• Secretary: Sandra K. Weller, University of Connecticut Health Center
• Past President : Myron Genel, Yale University School of Medicine  

Councilors

• Laura Grabel, Wesleyan University
• Margaret Grey, Yale University
• Harris Marcus, University of Connecticut
• Richard D. Pinder, Connecticut Department of Public Safety (ret.)
• George R. Wisner, Wisner Associates; Connecticut Science Fair
• Robert Hobbs, UTRC (ret.)
  
  

Executive Director

• Richard H. Strauss
  
  

 

Associate Director

• Terri Clark

Assistant Director for Programs

• Ann G. Bertini

The Academy membership is divided into ten Technical Boards (TBs), each with an area of public concern having technical content. These TBs resemble those of the National Research Council in structure and intent, and were chosen to embrace all relevant areas of Connecticut public policy. The ten TBs are:

• Agriculture, Food and Nutrition
• Biomedical Research and Health Care
• Communication and Information Systems
• Economic Development
• Energy Production, Use and Conservation
• Environment
• Human Resources
• Public Health
• Technology
• Transportation Systems

Activities

One of the principal purposes of the Academy is to provide science and technology information and advice, usually by performing studies, on public policy issues upon request of a government agency, the General Assembly, or in some instances, private organizations. These studies result in formal Reports published by the Academy. Summaries of recent studies conducted by the Academy are available on our website.

The Academy also issues a quarterly publication called the Bulletin, which features articles on new developments in science and technology around the state. It is distributed free to members, government officials, college and high school science departments, and research libraries at the state's major private research facilities, as well as other interested individuals, upon request.

Other Academy activities include participation in technology expositions, the award of monetary prizes to student winners of science competitions, such as the CT Science Fair, the Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium, the CT Intel Science Talent Search, and the Invention Convention, and also the award of the Connecticut Medal of Science and the Connecticut Medal of Technology.

Support

The Academy receives funding from state agencies and the General Assembly for the purpose of performing studies and other tasks. Other funding to suport the mission of the Academy comes in the form of support from the Academy's Patrons, other organizations, as well as the membership of the Academy.