In Brief
TSRI Trustee Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of
Fame
Herb Boyer, a member of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI)
Board of Trustees, was recently inducted into the National Inventors
Hall of Fame, which celebrates the creative and entrepreneurial
spirit of great inventors.
According to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, "Boyer
was with the University of California, San Francisco, when
he began investigating DNA with Stan Cohen. Their experiments
marked the beginning of genetic engineering and launched the
multi-billion dollar biotechnology industry. By early 1973,
Boyer and Cohen determined that they were able to add genes
from an organism to a simple cell; the genes would then replicate
in the cell. Their recombinant DNA patents generated over
$250 million in royalties before expiring. Recombinant DNA
technology is considered the most significant achievement
in molecular biology since Watson & Crick's work in 1953.
After working with Cohen, Boyer joined forces with venture
capitalist Robert Swanson to create the biotechnology firm
Genentech, Inc. Since its founding in 1976, Genentech has
produced a number of firsts such as genetically engineered
human insulin. Genetically altered crops are also being researched
to deal with global food supply issues."
Janda to Speak as Part of Faculty Lecture Series
Professor Kim Janda will speak on "Biocatalysis, Combinatorial
Chemistry, and Immunopharmacotherapy" as part of the Faculty
Lecuture Series on Wednesday, January 16, at 5 PM. The lecture
will be held in the Timken Amphitheater, Scripps Clinic, 10666
North Torrey Pines Road.
Changes in Retirement Plan Delayed by State
Previously, it was announced that the federal government had
passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act
of 2001 (EGTRRA), which included changes in the law designed
to allow employees to save more for retirement. The law went
into effect at the beginning of the year on the federal level.
Several states, California included, have not yet adopted
this legislation, conforming state tax law to these changes.
The concern in California is that these changes will adversely
impact their revenues.
Assuming California does not comply with federal law before
the end of the year, increasing the benefits or making other
changes to conform to the new law could have catastrophic
effects on TSRI's retirement plan–up to and including
plan disqualification for state purposes.
Therefore, TSRI has decided to delay implementation of the
new EGTRRA changes until such time that they have been adopted
by the California State Legislature.
What this means to you is:
1. The Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan 403(b) maximum remains
at 20 percent of your income or $10,500.00 whichever is less.
2. No catch-up contributions will be allowed for participants
age 50 and older.
3. No rollovers will be facilitated between plans of different
internal revenue codes i.e. 403(b), 401a) 457(b).
4. In the meantime, Human Resources will continue to keep
you informed of any progress towards the implementation of
these new tax laws by the state.
Lunch and Learn: "The Reluctant Caregivers"
Univeersity of San Diego Sociology Professor Anne Hendershott
will present "The Reluctant Caregivers" as part of the ongoing
"Lunch and Learn" seminar series, on Wednesday, January 16
from noon to 1 PM, in the W.M. Keck Amphitheater, The Beckman
Center for Chemical Sciences. No registration is necessary.
If more information is needed, contact Jan Hill x4-2950.
Attention Flexible Spending Account Participants
If you participated in the Healthcare Spending Account
(HCSA) during the 2001 plan year, Benefits Administration
would like to remind you that March 31, 2002, is the deadline
for submitting reimbursement claims to EBS.
All claims for services rendered during 2001 should
be sent to EBS for reimbursement. Do not send claims for 2001
to Barney & Barney, as this will delay your reimbursement.
EBS claim forms are available in the Human Resources Department.
You can pick up forms between 8 AM and 5 PM or request them
by contacting Benefits Administration at x4-8487 or email
benefits@scripps.edu.
Effective January 1, 2002, Barney & Barney is processing
claims for services rendered in the 2002 plan year.
Reimbursement forms for the 2002 Health Care Spending Account
and Dependent Care Spending Account administered by Barney
& Barney are also available in the Human Resources Department.
In addition, you can download the forms from the Benefits
Administration web page. Remember, Barney & Barney is
only processing claims for services rendered in the 2002 plan
year.
Tuition Reimbursement Deadline Approaches
Human Resources would like to remind TSRI employees that tuition
reimbursement requests for courses completed during the 2001
calendar year must be received in Human Resources no later
than January 31, 2002. Please contact Jan-Michael Silbaugh
at x4-9212 with any questions
TB Screenings, Hepatitis B Immunizations, and Serum Draws
On Monday, January 14, Wednesday, January 16, and Friday January
18, personnel from Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group will be
on-site to conduct TB Screenings, Hepatitis B Immunizations
and serum draws. The clinics will be conducted in Building
3301 N. Torrey Pines Court, Conference Room P1 from 11 AM
to 2 PM on each of the three dates noted above.
Employees participating in any of these programs need not
make an appointment but should show up at the scheduled times.
TB screening requires a 48 to 72 hour follow-up. For example,
individuals receiving the TB screen on Monday will need to
return on Wednesday, individuals screened on Wednesday will
need to return on Friday. Initiation of the TB screening process
will not be available on Friday, but Hepatitis B immunization
and serum draws will be available.
For more information, please contact Rachel Longville in
Environmental Health & Safety at ext. 4-8240, or e-mail rachellv@scripps.edu.
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