With a $1 million donation from the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, Jackson Laboratory is launching a biomedical research scholarship for eligible students and educators.
The Worthington-JAX Biomedical Fellows Scholarship aims to offer innovative, experiential biomedical research training opportunities for current Worthington Scholars and alumni.
“Our goal is to foster opportunities for scholars to realize their dreams. Part of it is through education and the other is by them building meaningful careers,” Julie Bourgoin, president of the Worthington Scholarship Foundation, told Mainebiz.
The Rockland-based foundation, profiled in a 2024 Mainebiz cover story, provides multi-year scholarships to Maine public high school graduates who attend one of its partner colleges.
Bourgoin said that by chance, she met Michael McKernan, Jackson Lab’s director of government and community relations, for the first time just as the foundation began focusing its priorities on connecting its scholars to meaningful academic and post-degree opportunities.
“JAX is of particular interest to us because the [foundation’s] founders, Dave and Bev Worthington, have always been interested in supporting STEM students and prioritized STEM degree paths when selecting their first scholars in 2010,” she said.
“In a perfect world, our scholars are better prepared to face challenges in an evolving environment,” she added. “Cutting-edge and innovative industries that are advancing our world are among the opportunities we want our scholars to have. JAX, being a global leader in genomic research right here in Maine, certainly fits the bill.”
Educational aims
The foundation’s gift will support three educational programs over the next several years, including postbaccalaureate training for college graduates from Worthington partner institutions and a doctoral program in mammalian genetics, neuroscience, or biomedical sciences.
The scholarship will also fund regional in-person professional development for eligible Maine high school teachers and pre-service teachers in genetics, genomics and personalized medicine for use in their classrooms.
“JAX has a long history of supporting learners who want to pursue careers in biomedicine or STEM fields,” said Charlie Wray, JAX’s vice president for education. “We are thrilled to partner with the Worthington Scholarship Foundation in providing these opportunities to students and educators in Maine’s educational ecosystem.”
