9th Annual Region 1 Science Fair Set at MCLA

Update: Friday's snowstorm has postponed the science fair to Thursday, March 14.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has announced the 9th annual Massachusetts Region 1 High School Science and Engineering Fair will take place on Friday, March 8, in the Amsler Campus Center gymnasium.

The public is invited to attend a viewing of this year's projects from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and to attend a presentation by keynote speaker Pat Muraca, president and chief executive officer at Nuclea Biotechnologies of Pittsfield.

Monica Joslin, dean of academic affairs at MCLA, said the fair provides "a wonderful opportunity" for students to connect and interact with 60 judges — all of whom are experts in their fields — and to learn about career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

"The students have been working on their projects throughout the school year. Participation in the science fair is one way to engage students in sciences, and an opportunity for students to connect with experts in their field of study and to learn about career opportunities in the STEM fields," Joslin said.

Muraca has more than 16 years of experience in the development of life science technology, including the development of microscopic-based digital imaging technology. In addition to having some 20 scientific abstracts and publications concentrating in the area of new biomarkers in cancer, he is a named inventor on approximately 10 U.S. and international utility and design patents.

Nuclea Biotechnologies develops for commercialization clinical diagnostic assays identifying gene and protein expression profiles characteristic of an individual's tumor or disease. The company is committed to advancing discovery and validation of clinical test platforms that are predictive of a cancer patient's responsiveness to oncology therapeutics and the likelihood of disease recurrence.

A graduate of Clark University in Worcester, Muraca is an affiliate member of the American College of Medical Genetics, a member of the American Association of Tissue Banks, as well as a board member of the Jimmy Fund Council of the Berkshires. In addition, he is a co-founder and board member of Nuclea Biotechnologies. Muraca is the former president and chief operating officer of Clinomics Biosciences Inc. and the director of diagnostic programs for Oncor, Inc.

About 80 students from nine schools in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties will participate and present their work in the areas of biology, behavioral and social science, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, computer science, earth and space science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, medicine, microbiology, physics and zoology.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.