(Press Release provided to CienciaPR by Emma Fernández Repollet, Vice-President of Research and Technology of the University of Puerto Rico.) The award will be presented by Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco at the Southern Innovation Summit Conference to be held on June 4-6, 2006 in New Orleans. The IBLC program was chosen from over 200 Southern Region nominees as an exemplary initiative in technology and innovation. “This award is the result of an industry and academia shared vision and commitment that promotes bio-economy in Puerto Rico. Our special recognition goes to AMGEN, for being the catalyst, and first partner, in this endeavor, which has resulted in nearly 400 company employees being trained in customized curricula with this initiative,” said UPRM Industrial Biotechnology Program Director Dr. Rosa Buxeda.