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Moderna's Chief Scientific Officer Speaking at Simon's Rock Commencement

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Simon's Rock alum Dr. Eric Huang, general manager and chief scientific officer of Moderna Genomics, will address the graduates at the 54th commencement ceremony of Bard College at Simon's Rock on Saturday, May 20, at 11 a.m. 
 
The ceremony will be held in person and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.
 
Huang received his associate's degree in 1988 from Simon's Rock before earning his bachelor's degree from Emory University. He went on to receive his doctorate in molecular and medical parasitology from New York School of Medicine and his master of business administration from Boston University. 
 
A seasoned scientific executive, he has been dedicated to discovering novel treatments that transform patients' lives. Huang spearheads strategies and directs a world-class science team at Moderna Genomics with the goal of building a technology platform that can design curative mRNA medicines for genetic diseases.  
 
Before leading Moderna Genomics, Huang founded and was CSO of Moderna's New Venture Labs, an incubator of top scientists who explored novel applications of mRNA technology. Here, he led the creation of Moderna's infectious disease vaccine platform — the platform used for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
"We're so honored to have Dr. Eric Huang as our commencement speaker this year," said Provost John B. Weinstein. "Since graduating from Simon's Rock, Eric's work has been a prime example of what our students can achieve and the good they can bring to the world. With his innovative and necessary work during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, I know Eric inspires all of us here at Simon's Rock."
 
Simon's Rock looks forward to honoring this year's graduating students. Read more details about the commencement here.

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Butternut Fire Command Terminated After 2 Weeks

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — After about two weeks of working to contain the Butternut Fire, the incident command has ended.

"I am extremely proud of the leadership and firefighters that put forth such extraordinary work to bring this incident to a close," Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said in a press release issued on Sunday.

"It has been a long time since Great Barrington has seen such an incident, the collaboration between all of the agencies was impressive."

On Sunday around 2 p.m., Fire Chief Scott Turner made the decision because "based on weather changes, fuel conditions, and the monumental work of our firefighters and mutual aid, the fire is clearly under control and not expected to spread any further."

He added that Great Barrington's homes and businesses are safe. The wooded area is expected to remain dangerous for months but should regenerate in the spring.

The fire spread because of the extremely dry conditions over the past few months; some rain the week before followed by snow and sleet over the holiday had helped with containment efforts.

Personnel and apparatuses that had been in place 24/7 since Nov. 18 were released but the department will remain ready to respond to any extension or minor growth.

The fire consumed 1,670 acres, spanning over 3 miles in length with a perimeter of more than 10 miles.  Fire Lt. Brian Mead said the wildfire's potential for devastation far exceeded what firefighters were able to contain and not a single home or structure was damaged nor firefighter injured.

"At the end of an incident of this magnitude that has such risk, that is without a doubt, a victory," he said.

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