Today:
All morning (pretty much) was spent helping with moving the computers in the Bio Inf. Lab.
Here’s the real deal:
I followed up with the Company 1 and they replied back saying that they’re unable to help. Also Company 3 and Company 3 have declined our offer.
On a more positive note, I found GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) which is a research-based pharmaceutical company devoted to developing innovative medicines and vaccines. I only found their phone number so I’ll give them a shout tomorrow and follow up with 4 other companies.
I also finished writing and editing my email to Dr. Jay Ingram (Discovery Channel Co-host). Fahd, Jamie and Jeremy double checked it so I’ve attached it in this email. Dr. Jacob sent me Dr. Ingram’s wife’s email. They both know Dr. Jacob so I’ve mentioned him in the letter.
I also searched up a few hotels which are not too far from MIT and have decent prices. I spoke to Thane about it and we were thinking of getting
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- And since the hotels are close, we could walk to MIT to avoid transportation costs. So far, we’ve managed to raise $3000 cash (excluding the lab reagents and equipment from sponsors)…so this will probably fly 6 students to Boston and back. This money came from first and second bake sales, and cash donations from sponsors. Accommodations will cost the 15 students ± $1100 for the 4 nights. I havn’t looked at rooms for facilitators so I can’t tell you much about it now. In our next bake sale, our goal is to make around $500. :D The marketing team is trying their best to arrange meetings and getting sponsors.
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Tomorrow, I’ll call the other companies and send an email to Shawn Abbott (one of the Dragons) to set up a meeting with him to discuss iGEM sponsorship and if he can help us/give us advice. Once I set up a meeting, Jeremy and I plan to go visit him. Right now, the marketing team is reviewing the rough draft of the July newsletter which we hope to finalize by Friday and send out to companies early next week.
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