FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minnesota Academy of Science Announces Addition of New Board Member
Rob Meyer Joins Longstanding Organization’s Board of Directors

[St. Paul, MN, October 23, 2020] -- The Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) is pleased to announce the addition of Rob Meyer to its Board of Directors. Meyer, the prize administrator of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, brings his extensive background in science communications. He will provide vital support to the MAS mission of advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in Minnesota.  

“Mr. Meyer’s passion for making STEM discoveries accessible to the public makes him an excellent fit for our Board of Directors,” said Lara Maupin, MAS Executive Director. “We look forward to learning from him and benefitting from his expertise as we look for new ways to engage Minnesotans of all backgrounds in exploring STEM.” 

An Edina native and journalism graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Meyer has been an administrator for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation since 2012 when the awards were founded by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki. The Breakthrough Prizes remain the largest science prizes in the world at $3 million per award. They are presented annually to exceptional researchers in the fields of Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences, and Mathematics during a globally broadcast ceremony.

“I’m excited to be joining MAS,” Meyer said. “Promoting science and a culture that values evidence-based knowledge is more important than ever. Especially vital is sharing with young people the awe-inspiring structure of nature as it is unveiled through scientific discovery. These principles are important whether one wants to pursue a STEM career or simply to become a well-informed member of society.”

Founded in 1873, MAS is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to connecting Minnesotans of all backgrounds with resources and opportunities to engage in STEM learning, research, and communication - and to recognize excellence in these areas. MAS’ programs include team competitions, individual research paper and project showcases, and mentoring and enrichment programs that promote STEM inquiry and research.

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For more information, please contact:

Emily Shepard, Communications Specialist, emilyshepard@mnmas.org 

Lara Maupin, Executive Director, laramaupin@mnmas.org