Arizona Students and Teacher Honored at Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards Gala.

Over 1,000 in Attendance as Technology Innovators, Business Leaders, Legislators, Students Recognized for Outstanding Accomplishments

PHOENIX -- On December 5th, 2006, the Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards Gala was held in front of a packed house at the Pointe South Mountain Resort & Spa. The event, sponsored by Governor Janet Napolitano and hosted by the Arizona Technology Council, and the Arizona Department of Commerce, recognized the technological and business achievements of Arizona's top companies, organizations and individuals.

Awards were presented as part of the "Future Innovator" program. These awards were given to select students based on the scientific investigation, thoroughness, skill, creativity and clarity of their respective projects. In addition, a "Teacher of the Year" award recipient was honored. The recipients in the "Future Innovator" category are as follows:

Student Recipients

* Erin Eppard, Thunderbird High School -- Phoenix, Ariz.

Project Category: Engineering

Project Title: Operator Injury Mitigation Using Electronic Sensing, Mechanical Braking and Decoupling Devices in Handheld Circular Saws

* Jingyuan Luo, Hamilton High School -- Chandler, Ariz.

Project Category: Environmental Sciences

Project Title: Toxicity and Ecological Implications of Nanomaterials to Phytoplankton

* Albert Shieh, Chaparral High School -- Scottsdale, Ariz., and Current Student, Harvard University

Project Category: Biochemistry

Project Title: Novel Algorithms for Automated SNP Genotyping

* Gabor Angeli, Catalina Foothills High School -- Tucson, Ariz.

Project Category: Computer Science/Chemistry

Project Title: Development of a Semi-Automatic Mass spectra Evaluation (SAME) Program

Teacher Recipient -- Science Teacher of the Year

* Renee Kaye, AP Biology, Thunderbird High School -- Phoenix, Ariz.

Beginning in 1996, with 50 students participating, Renee has built TSEF (Thunderbird High School Science and Engineering Fair) into the Intel-sponsored event in which 200 students compete for $1,400 in awards. With no school funding for this fair she must spearhead fundraising activities. During the past school year, Renee mentored more than 40 of her own students and 35 of her colleagues' students, preparing them for participation in last year's CARSEF (Central Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair). Over the past two years, Thunderbird High School has had 5 students qualify to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Mrs. Kaye has coached the Thunderbird High School Brain Bee Team in the Midwestern University Brain Bee competition for the past seven years. For the past two years, her team won first place, and this past year her student took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place honors.

About the Governor's Celebration of Innovation

The Governor's Celebration of Innovation was established in 2003 by combining two technology award ceremonies: the High Tech Industry Cluster's 17-year student awards ceremony and the Arizona Software and Internet Association's 10-year "Celebration of Innovation." With the addition of the Governor's support, the Governor's Celebration of Innovation has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind in Arizona. The inaugural Governor's Celebration of Innovation took place in December 2006 and was a colossal success with over 1,200 in attendance. For more information on the GCOI, visit http://www.celebration-of-innovation.com.

About The Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council is the largest member-driven technology association in the state. The AZ Tech Council represents the interests of over 235,000 employees across more than 500 of the leading technology companies, their support firms, educational institutions and statewide economic development groups that collectively form Arizona's technology community. Donna Kent was named president and CEO of the AZ Tech Council in November 2005. Along with Ms. Kent, the organization is led by chairman of the board Michael Berens, an appointed executive committee and a board of directors comprised of a cross-section of academic, private and public sector professionals. For more information, visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.

About the Arizona Department of Commerce

Collaborating with economic development partners statewide, the Arizona Department of Commerce works to create jobs, expand the tax base, increase per capita income and promote a globally competitive business environment. The agency provides reliable information and research, community assistance, targeted business attraction and development coupled with strategic workforce development. Nationally and internationally, the Department of Commerce promotes Arizona assets: a growing, high-tech workforce; competitive operating environment; easy access to major markets; affordable, available real estate; reliable utilities; abundant natural resources and an unmatched quality of life. For more information, visit www.azcommerce.com.