Natick Lab's Donation To Fund MassBay STEM Scholarships

NATICK, MA — MassBay Community College has received funds that'll help pay for student scholarships in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

MassBay Community College received a $10,000 donation from Natick-based ABI-LAB and the Dacon Corporation at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its third facility in Natick.

ABI-LAB, a bio-incubator and accelerator focused on life sciences, supports a range of startups across all stages of development. Dacon Corporation is a design-build firm that created the ABI-LAB spaces in MetroWest.

Since 2022, ABI-LAB has supported MassBay’s STEM student scholarships and the College’s STEM programs through mentorship and internship opportunities, and by providing students with tours of the facility and insights into ongoing research, college officials said.

“We are deeply grateful for ABI-LAB and Dacon Corporation’s continued support,” said MassBay President David Podell. “Our partnership creates life-changing opportunities for MassBay STEM students, bridging education, innovation, and collaboration. As the life sciences sector grows, it offers students a sustainable, rewarding career path. We look forward to continuing this partnership.”

MassBay biotechnology student, Cam Duso, of Boston, represented the College’s STEM program at the event and presented his research on nucleotide changes that result in spinal muscular atrophy. He emphasized the impact of ABI-LAB’s support on student success.

“Being a student while working feels like holding two full-time jobs,” said Duso. “These STEM scholarships, along with the MassEducate and MassReconnect free community college programs, allow students to focus more on studying and less on stressing about living expenses.”

The guest speaker for the ceremony, Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, highlighted the significance of the new Mass Leeds Act in today’s market.

“Massachusetts is the global hub of life science innovation thanks to our robust ecosystem of hospitals, research institutions, leading companies, and incubators like ABI-LAB,” she said.

“Through the Mass Leads Act, Massachusetts is reinvesting in the tools and resources necessary to support growth in this vital industry, and we are grateful for ABI-LAB’s expansion in our state with this new facility.”