LIVERMORE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher Loose is the inaugural recipient of the Peter Strauss Award. The award is given to a recently graduated or current Hertz Fellow who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his or her entrepreneurial endeavors. Criteria include major patents awarded, significant licensing agreements established, new company formation and national recognition for inventions.

Dr. Loose founded Semprus BioSciences (formerly known as SteriCoat) in 2006 to develop medical and industrial products with surface modifications to reduce infection, clotting, and fouling. The company has 28 full time employees and has raised more than $28 million in funding. Dr. Loose is a 2003 Hertz Fellow. He received his doctorate in Chemical Engineering, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2007. He was recipient of the 2007 Hertz Foundation Thesis Prize.

Dr. Loose has been honored by Technology Review in 2007 as one of the 35 under 35 top innovators in the country. He was also named by the Boston Business Journal in 2011 as one of the 40 under 40 business and civic leaders who collectively represent the next wave of talent and commitment to the Boston economy.

The Hertz Foundation Board of Directors established the $5,000 Award in 2010 through the endowment of Harold Newman, Hertz Foundation Director and financial advisor. Newman was a long time associate of Peter Strauss, who died in 2010 at the age of 89.  Both were supporters of the Hertz Foundation for many decades, serving on its Board and as financial advisors to the Foundation while senior associates at Neuberger Berman.

About the Hertz Foundation
For nearly a half century, the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has contributed to the scientific and engineering strength of this Nation. We invest in the young applied scientists and engineers whose good character and creative spirit have the power to change the world. The Hertz Foundation has provided the nation's most generous PhD fellowships which give Fellows the freedom to innovate in their doctoral research. The highly competitive selection process includes a comprehensive written application, four references, and two rounds of technical interviews by recognized leaders in applied science and engineering. In addition to supporting the Fellows in their graduate education, the Foundation provides unique seminars, workshops and symposia that take place away from their campus environments. These gatherings expose the in-school Fellows to national leaders and researchers, with many who are alumni Fellows of the Foundation. More information about the Hertz Foundation can be found at www.hertzfoundation.org.

SOURCE Fannie and John Hertz Foundation

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http://www.hertzfoundation.org