Etcetera
Jeffery Kelly Named Emil Thomas Kaiser Award Honoree
Jeffery Kelly, chair of The Scripps Research Institute Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, has been named the Protein Society's 2011 Emil Thomas Kaiser Award honoree. According to the society's announcement, the award recognizes a recent, highly significant contribution in applying chemistry to the study of proteins.
The society cited Kelly's ongoing contributions to the understanding of the chemical nature of amyloid formation and the application of this understanding in innovative ways to an amyloid disease as well as therapeutics design. The Kelly lab research has led to development of a small molecule therapeutic expected to be employed in the clinic as therapy for familial amyloid polyneuropathy.
The Protein Society also noted other contributions, including Kelly's direct application of synthetic organic chemistry to the development of compounds that inhibit amyloid formation in the clinic; his fundamental contributions to understanding the role of particular secondary structures in protein structure stabilization; and most recently, his novel and wide-ranging thinking on the physiological role of amyloids.
The Kaiser award is one of six annual recognitions sponsored by the Protein Society, a leading international society devoted to furthering research and development in protein science. Kelly will receive the award at the society's 25th annual symposium, July 23 to 27 in Boston.
AAI Recognizes Michael Oldstone with Mentoring Award
Scripps Research Professor Michael Oldstone has received the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) 2011 Excellence in Mentoring Award.
According to the AAI, the award recognizes exemplary career contributions to a future generation of scientists. The award will be presented at the organization's 98th annual meeting, May 13 to 17 in San Francisco.
Scripps Florida and Palm Beach County School District to Host "CELLebration" in Gardens Mall
Visitors to The Gardens Mall can learn about the latest biomedical research taking place at Scripps Florida, meet the scientists behind the discoveries, and help honor Palm Beach County's future scientists and engineers at the second-annual "CELLebrate Science with Scripps Florida," a two-part public event featuring a special award ceremony Thursday, February 3, and an interactive, family-friendly science exposition Saturday, February 5.
The special award ceremony will honor middle school and high school first- and second-place winners of Palm Beach County School District's 2010 Science and Engineering Fair. In the event, scheduled for 6 PM Thursday, February 3 in the Mall's Grand Court, Sidney Forbes, founding partner of The Gardens Mall, and Harry Orf, vice president of scientific operations for Scripps Florida, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, will recognize each student's achievement and present him or her a special medal. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The public is also invited to a fun, family-friendly science education day Saturday, February 5, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Featuring informative displays and hands-on activity booths located throughout the lower level of The Gardens Mall, the exposition will provide visitors an opportunity to meet the Scripps Florida scientists staffing the booths and to learn about their research.
Exciting chemistry demonstrations, an interactive robotics station, and amazing microscopic explorations will delight curious minds of all ages. Visitors can also view colorful displays illustrating the many different types of scientific research taking place within Scripps Florida's six academic departments. In addition, visitors will be able to discover fascinating facts about DNA and the history of its discovery by reading informative displays. Every visitor who completes a fun and simple quiz while visiting the activity booths will receive a commemorative gift and be entered into a raffle to win a special prize.
Directions to The Gardens Mall, located at 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, are available at http://www.thegardensmall.com/visitor-info/directions.
