INNOVATORS CONFERENCE ATTRACTS BUSH ADVISOR, SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS FROM ACROSS NEW JERSEY

Trenton, NJ) - Princeton University will be the backdrop for a one-day conference highlighting New Jersey's leadership in scientific research, innovation and discovery. The conference also stresses to students that education in science, math and technology can lead to fascinating careers.

The Innovators Conference will be held on Friday, January 11, 2002 at Princeton's McDonnell Hall. The main program for 400 people, which runs from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., will feature a keynote address by Dr. John Marburger III, who serves as President George W. Bush's Science Advisor. Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday from NPR News, will moderate a panel of leading scientists. Also participating will be Princeton University President Dr. Shirley Tighman, whose background is genomics.

One hundred and fifty students from throughout New Jersey will see in a special program how DNA is used to solve crimes, how a middle school team won a national robotics competition, and how chemistry and biotechnology affect our everyday lives.

The event is being organized by Prosperity New Jersey and the Innovation Garden State Alliance, which includes the Institute for Advanced Study, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey Network, and Liberty Science Center. The Alliance is a coalition of business leaders, educators and public officials working to ensure continued support for scientific research and development.

Stephen Sasala, President and CEO of Prosperity New Jersey, explains, "Our goal is to highlight the immense contributions that New Jersey institutions and thinkers make to the issues that shape our world. We're also taking advantage of January as National High Tech Month to show young people that education in science and technology can lead to fascinating careers."

The Innovators Conference is open to the public. Tickets are $60.00 each and advance registration is required. Visit www.innovationgarden.org or call (609) 984-4924.