In Brief

Peter Schultz Awarded ‘Chemistry for the Future Solvay Prize’

Peter Schultz, the Scripps Family Chair Professor at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), has been awarded the “Chemistry for the Future Solvay Prize,” which recognizes a major scientific discovery that could shape tomorrow’s chemistry and help human progress.

The biannual EUR 300,000 prize, which is awarded by the Belgium-based Solvay Group, a global provider of chemical products, is intended to endorse basic research and underline the essential role of chemistry in solving some of world’s most pressing issues.

Schultz was cited for “multiple scientific contributions at the interface between chemistry and biology, in particular, the exploitation of molecular diversity and the rational expansion of the genetic code of living organisms.”

He will receive the award during a special ceremony at the Palais des Académies in Brussels, Belgium, on December 4.

Scott Hansen Wins NIH New Innovator Award

Scott Hansen, TSRI assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Therapeutics, has received a prestigious 2013 New Innovator Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The award, established in 2007, supports investigators who are within 10 years of their terminal degree or clinical residency, but who have not yet received a Research Project Grant (R01) or equivalent NIH grant, to conduct exceptionally innovative research.

One of only 41 scientists selected nationally for this year’s New Innovator distinction, Hansen will use the award to study mechanosensation, a process that transforms external stimuli into neural impulses, focusing on two of the five major senses—touch and hearing.

Cary Thomas Elected AIRI President-Elect

Cary Thomas, TSRI acting senior vice president for operations, has been elected president-elect of the Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI), a nationwide organization of more than 80 independent, not-for-profit research institutes.

The first TSRI employee to serve in an AIRI leadership position, Thomas also directs the group’s nominations committee. He will assume the presidency of AIRI in 2015.

Founded in 1961, AIRI promotes communication among member institutions and advocates for them on issues of research funding and regulation, particularly in the federal legislative arena.

SF-SRF hosts the 4th Annual Research Fest on October 24

Featuring presentations on current research on the FL campus and the latest products from scientific vendors, the Scripps Florida Society of Research Fellows (SF-SRF) will host the Research Fest 2013: Scientific Symposium & Vendor Show on Thursday, October 24, from 10 AM to 4 PM, in Building B.

More than 40 selected postdoctoral fellows and graduate students will offer presentations on research advances and discoveries in the TSRI Departments of Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Metabolism and Aging, Infectious Disease, Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience.

During the morning, selected postdoctoral fellows will offer seminars in the Fink Auditorium, and SF-SRF will present the Faculty Mentorship Award, followed by scientific poster session from 1 to 4 PM. Some 40 scientific vendors will showcase and demonstrate their products and technologies from 10 AM to 4 PM in Scripps Café and classrooms.

The event is open to members of South Florida universities and institutes. For additional details, visit the SF-SRF website.

CA French Pastry Sale to Benefit Blood Cancer Research

Enjoy a delectable madeleine, tartes aux pommes or gâteau au chocolat while supporting blood cancer research—that’s the tempting opportunity offered at the second annual French Bakery Sale, presented this year by members of the Sauer and DerMardirossian lab,s Monday, October 7, 7:30 AM, on the CA campus at the entrance to the Immunology Building. Proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) through its TSRI fundraising group, the Mission Team Researchers. LLS supports blood cancer research and provides patient/family programs and resources.

Chefs for this year’s sale are TSRI Assistant Professor Céline DerMardirossian and Violaine Delorme-Walker, staff scientist in the DerMardirossian lab; Claire Conche and Stéphanie Rigaud, research associates in the Sauer lab; and Thomas Touboul, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Diego. The menu will also include cannelés, croquants, sablés, financier aux framboises, gâteau basque, quatre-quart breton, tarte amandine, clafoutis aux fruits, pain d’épices and crêpes. In addition, Xavier San Martin, a cook at Café Paris in downtown San Diego, will provide tartes aux fraises.

Direct donations to the Mission Team Researchers can be made in cash or online at http://pages.lightthenight.org/sd/SanDiego13/MissionTeamResearchers.

4th Annual San Diego 5K Charity Run/Walk Celebrates Memory of Jared Purton

The 4^th Annual Good On You 5K Run/Walk will once again celebrate the memory and spirit of volunteerism of the late Jared Purton, a postdoctoral fellow at TSRI killed by a drunk driver. Online registration is now open for event, scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 9 AM, at Crown Point Park in the San Diego Mission Bay area.

All ages are invited to participate; costumes are encouraged. Medals and prizes will be awarded for the top three overall female and male finishers and for best costumes. Raffle prizes will also be given.

The race course finish line will feature displays of local charities. Three highlighted organizations—San Diego Habitat for Humanity, Cat Adoption Services and Mama’s Kitchen, a food preparation and delivery service for cancer and AIDs patients—will receive a portion of the event’s proceeds.

Online preregistration is available until October 23. Fees are $25 online; $35 day of race. Children aged 2-11 are $15 and children under two years are free. For additional information, visit the website of the Jason F. Purton Foundation at http://purtonfoundation.org/. The Race/Walk is sponsored on the CA campus by the Society of Fellows.

National Depression Screening Day: October 10

National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, October 10, is held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 6 to 12, to raise awareness and screen people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. To find local depression-screening sites or for an online screening assessment, visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org. All inquiries are confidential.

Confidential assistance is also available to TSRI benefit-eligible employees, postdocs, graduate students and/or their family members from the institute’s Counseling and Psychological Services Department. For further information or to schedule an appointment, call Daphne Lurie at 4-7915 or Jan Hill at 4-2950. Department assistant Holly Wheeler, 4-7297 or hollyw@scripps.edu, can also schedule appointments.

Depending on individual medical plans, 24-hour emergency psychiatric services are available through United Behavioral Health at (800) 888-2998 or Aetna Behavioral Health at (800) 424-5928.

SoF to Co-Host 8th Annual CA Halloween Party

Tickets are now available for the 8^th Annual Society of Fellows (SoF) Halloween Party, set for Friday, October 25, 9 PM to 1:30 AM, at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay & Marina. The event is co-hosted by the TSRI SoF and the Sanford-Burnham Science Network.

Music will be provided by DJ Artistic, and Halloween costumes are “highly encouraged,” said Sheena Saayman, SoF president. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased by check or cash from Amanda Ackley, research assistant in the Morris lab, MEM-115, or Matthias Pauthner, graduate student in the Burton lab, IMM-308. Attendees must be 21 years or older.

Further details are available on the SoF website.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

schultz
TSRI Professor Peter Schultz will receive the EUR 300,000 Solvay prize on December 4 in Brussels.

TSRI Assistant Professor Scott Hansen has been selected for a NIH New Innovator Award.

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