TSRI and Oxford University Establish Joint Doctoral Program
The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the University
of Oxford have announced a joint graduate program in biology,
chemistry, and biochemistry, named the Skaggs Oxford Scholarships
Program.
This is the first time in its 800-year history that Britain's
Oxford University has offered a degree jointly with another
institution of higher learning. It is also the first such
degree offered by TSRI.
The Skaggs Oxford Scholarships Program, named for supermarket
and drugstore leader L.S. Skaggs and his wife, Aline, will
support 10 students during a five-year program of study. Upon
completion of the program, Skaggs Oxford Scholars will receive
a doctoral degree from TSRI and Oxford University.
"It is an honor to be associated with Oxford University
and its Department of Biochemistry," said TSRI President Richard
A. Lerner. "Despite having quite different histories, our
two institutions will now share a common path in this one
regard—the education of the chemical biologists of the
future."
"The Skaggs Oxford Scholarships create unique opportunities
for multidisciplinary research and learning at the highest
level," said Oxford University Professor Raymond A. Dwek.
"The Department of Biochemistry at Oxford is one of the largest
in the world with outstanding scientists in structural biology,
cell biology, and molecular genetics, who welcome these ties
with TSRI and believe that many important research collaborations
will result from these scholars having access to faculty on
both campuses."
Chemical biology is an emerging interdisciplinary field
that combines specialties including organic chemistry, biology,
and biophysics. It seeks to find answers to some of the most
pressing scientific questions of our day—such as discovering
the identities, structures, and mechanisms of proteins and
genes implicated in human health and finding ways to exploit
this knowledge to develop drugs and treatments to alleviate
human suffering.
Doctoral candidates selected as Skaggs Oxford Scholars will
be enrolled at both institutions and spend two to three years
studying biochemistry at Oxford University in the United Kingdom
and two to three years exploring chemistry or biology at TSRI
in La Jolla, California.
January 1, 2004 is the application deadline for the first
two scholarships, which will begin in the fall of 2004.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for outstanding students
who wish to pursue a course of study at two institutions at
the forefront of science and medical innovation," said Jeffery
Kelly, TSRI's vice president of academic affairs and dean
of the Kellogg School of Science and Technology, the institute's
graduate school. "Not only will it give them the highest quality
education, it also provides exposure to two distinct cultures
as part of the educational experience."
"The Skaggs Scholarships will support integrated bi-institutional
studies or the study of two distinct research problems over
five years," said Mary Gregoriou, Biochemistry's director
of graduate studies at Oxford. "This extended D.Phil./Ph.D.
program should produce researchers ideally suited for the
integrated biosciences of the future."
L.S. Skaggs is the former chairman of American Stores Company,
a supermarket and drug store holding company that grew under
his direction from 11 stores to become the largest combined
supermarket/drug store chain in the United States, owning
Jewels Food Stores, Savon-Drugs, Star markets, Acme Markets,
Osco Drug, and Lucky Stores. In 1999, American Stores was
sold to Albertson's, Inc., a grocery store chain whose original
founders included Skaggs' father.
L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs' philanthropy supports Catholic
education, scientific research, basic human needs, and wildlife
preservation. The Skaggs Institute for Research, a charitable
foundation created by the Skaggs in 1996, is TSRI's largest
benefactor and to date has provided grants of more than $75
million to fund TSRI's renowned Skaggs Institute for Chemical
Biology, as well as graduate, postdoctoral, and clinical research
programs.
Further information on the Skaggs Oxford Scholarships Program,
including eligibility requirements and an application form,
is available at www.scripps.edu/phd/skoxford.
|
Photo by Corbis
Photo by
İHewitt/Garrison
Doctoral candidates selected as Skaggs
Oxford Scholars will be enrolled at both institutions and
spend two to three years studying biochemistry at Oxford University
(top) in the United Kingdom and two to three years exploring
chemistry or biology at TSRI (bottom) in La Jolla, California.
|
