Jason R. Wiles, assistant professor of biology in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has received the 2010 Science and Technology Outreach Award from the Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY). Wiles received the award at TACNY’s 12th annual Celebration of Technology Banquet on Sept. 20 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Liverpool.

For over a century, TACNY has been a key link among regional technical societies, working to enhance and facilitate the development, growth and advancement of education, awareness and historical appreciation of technology within the Central New York community. The organization presents the Science and Technology Outreach Award annually to a resident of Central New York who has increased interest in science or technology or expanded opportunities for people with limited access to science or technology.

“The need to reach out to future technologists and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics is of critical importance to ensure an adequate number of people entering those fields. The Technology Alliance of Central New York created the science and technology outreach award to ensure those actively involved in sharing our enthusiasm are recognized,” says TACNY President Howie Hollander. “I attended Professor Jason Wiles’ TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique presentation last year and personally witnessed how he engaged the students–and parents–attending the program. Dr. Wiles’ efforts to increase public engagement in science are notable and worthy of our recognition.”

In addition to his position in the Department of Biology, Wiles also holds an appointment in the Department of Science Teaching. His research centers on key issues in biology education at all academic levels and in a variety of international contexts. He teaches a number of courses in the biological sciences, including the general biology sequence, which enrolls between 700 and 800 students every year.

Wiles is also involved with the Project Advance program, through which public school teachers receive professional development in support of the transfer of college-level curricula to talented high school students. These and other endeavors in research and both formal and informal education are part of Wiles’ ongoing efforts toward increasing the public understanding of science.