Maryville University thanks Sigma-Aldrich for generous donations to enhance science labs
8/15/12
ST. LOUIS — Life science and technology company Sigma-Aldrich Corp. has generously supported Maryville University with about $200,000 worth of laboratory equipment and supplies over the last two years.
Maryville University’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Candace Chambers, PhD, thanked Sigma-Aldrich for its contributions. “It allows us to do so much more educationally. We can expose students to more scientific techniques and methods than we otherwise would be able to.”
The donations from Sigma-Aldrich allow students taking classes in ecology, forensic science and genetics to perform vital research activities. Students learn skills they can use in a professional setting such as how to copy DNA sequences in order to better understand the order of the chemical building blocks, how to separate proteins and how to spin liquid samples in order to analyze the substances in them.
Interim Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Assistant Professor of Biology Gabriel Colbeck, PhD, said, “In particular, this equipment allows us to amplify and visualize the DNA profiles of living organisms, whether they be a bird, a plant or a crime suspect.”
Sigma-Aldrich’s Global Citizenship Manager Jeffrey Whitford said, “Sigma-Aldrich is pleased to support Maryville University through our product donation program. The advancement of science happens when students and educators are able to try new experiments and methodologies, and donations like this give them the tools to do just that. As a Company, we work daily to enable science that improves the quality of life. Creating opportunity for young scientists helps us accomplish that goal.”
Sigma-Aldrich’s generous support is helping Maryville students acquire advanced laboratory and research skills. The University has upgraded seven on-campus laboratories in recent years, and plans to upgrade two more by 2014.
Science faculty have updated curriculum in many areas, and added research opportunities in the field. Maryville students are studying everything from the effects of climate change on plant pollinators and reproduction, to improved methods for crime scene analysis.
Science faculty and staff at Maryville have been hard at work in recent years to make sure they are preparing students with advanced skills to further their education and for a professional life in the sciences. They thanked Sigma-Aldrich for its assistance in a partnership that is reaping rewards for the region.
About Sigma-Aldrich
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading life science and technology company whose biochemical and organic chemical products, kits and services are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostics and high technology manufacturing.
About Maryville University
Maryville University, founded in 1872, moved to the national universities category of U.S. News & World Report this year. It is one of three institutions in the Greater St. Louis Area ranked in this division. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Maryville in the Top 100 Private Universities in the U.S. for Best Value.