Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute director receives President's Award

Martha Connolly, director of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) Maryland Industrial Partnerships program (www.mips.umd.edu) at the University of Maryland, was given the President's Award at the Greater Baltimore Committee's fifth annual Bioscience Awards ceremony, university officials announce today.

Connolly accepted the award at a ceremony held in Baltimore on March 25.

"The bioscience industry has made tremendous contributions to the Maryland economy and is critical to its growth in the future," says Connolly. "I am proud to have contributed to this vibrant and vital Maryland community."

Connolly has served as a leader in the Maryland bioscience industry for 25 years. She was the first biotechnology advocate hired at the state level when she joined the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in 1997 to foster the bioscience industry in Maryland.

As head of the MIPS program for almost seven years, where nearly 40 percent of the funding for technology product research is awarded to projects led by bioscience companies, Connolly has supported the development of products for successful companies such as MedImmune, CSA Medical, PharmAthene, GenVec, Innovative Biosensors, 20/20 Gene Systems, Alba Therapeutics, A&G Pharmaceuticals and Gliknik.

Connolly created and spearheaded the new Maryland Drug Discovery Network, which collated the vast bioscience resources in Maryland to advance drug development. This Network spans the University System of Maryland, The Johns Hopkins University, and several of the state's community colleges. The Drug Discovery Network is now a part of the Maryland Biotechnology Center as one of the first deliverables promised by Governor Martin O'Malley at the BIO 2009 international meeting.

Previously, Connolly directed business development activities at a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, and also co-founded a start-up technology development/commercialization firm.

Connolly was the first woman to graduate from The Johns Hopkins University's biomedical engineering doctoral program. She was also among the first class of co-eds at the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Connolly is a member of the GBC Bioscience Committee, where she donates her time and expertise to advocacy efforts for the bioscience community.

The annual President's Award is given to the individual who has made a major contribution to the industry during the preceding year. The contribution may be in terms of volunteer work provided to help the industry grow, a unique program that he or she instituted, workforce development, or a visionary program. This award recognizes individuals who may not head a bioscience company but who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the growth and well-being of the industry.