Spanier said that through their gift, the Benkovics want to foster a collaborative research effort between relevant faculty in the Eberly College and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Protein engineering uses the tools of molecular biology and chemical engineering to synthesize and isolate new proteins for a wide range of uses, including as therapeutics, biosensing, catalysis and as structural elements.

“This wonderfully generous and thoughtful gift from Steve and Pat Benkovic, who have in other ways already made so many important contributions to the University, will stimulate and support activity in this very promising area of modern biological science,” said Daniel J. Larson, dean of the Eberly College of Science.

Henry Foley, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, said, “We look forward to working closely with the Eberly College to bring this area of pure and applied science to fruition.”

Stephen Benkovic is world renowned for his preeminent scholarly contributions to molecular biology and biological chemistry. He is widely recognized for his work on DNA replication via polymerases, protein dynamics, and catalysis, as well as for the development of new antibiotics by rational mechanistic means. He joined the Penn State faculty in 1965.

Pat and Steve Benkovic are partners in all phases of life, professional and non- professional. When the Benkovics are not working, they are familiar figures swimming or biking in and around the State College area.

The Benkovics' gift is part of the Faculty and Staff Campaign, a component of Penn State's Grand Destiny campaign.  The Grand Destiny campaign is a seven-year effort to raise $1.3 billion in private support to strengthen the University's mission of teaching, research and service. As of September 1, 2001, faculty and staff had given nearly $30.3 million University-wide.

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Contact:  Mike Bezilla, Development Communications, 814-863-4512 or mxb13@psu.edu