In Brief

CELLebrate Science Presents Wonders of Scripps Florida Research

Thanks to some 200 volunteers from The Scripps Research Institute’s (TSRI) Florida campus, the sixth annual CELLebrate Science Day at the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens on January 31 introduced thousands of Palm Beach County children and adults to glowing fish, 3D robots and the intricate wonders of Scripps Florida’s biomedical research.

Scripps Florida scientists, students and staff worked the festival’s interactive and educational booths, which highlighted the institute’s work. In addition, many TSRI investigators attended with their families to enjoy the community event.

Children watched gummy bears melting, frozen flowers get smashed with mallets and delightfully loud (and frequent) chemically induced explosions that shook the mall’s large center court. Three 3D printers were on hand to demonstrate the new technology, producing more than 400 mini-robots as visitor giveaways. At the photo booth, 700 visitors received snapshots of themselves posing as “Scripps Research scientists” in the boardwalk-style display.

Zebrafish and fish that glowed with fluorescence were highlights at the metabolism and aging booth, while sea slugs and fruit files were a hit at the neuroscience exhibit. The cancer biology section featured eye-catching antibody presentations. The infectious disease exhibiters held a raffle for stuffed-animal models of viruses.

Children put plates of health food together at the diabetes and metabolism booth. Assistant Scientific Director Tom Bannister was the Scientist on Call in the information booth, entertaining a range of interesting questions about research at TSRI.

“CELLebrate Science Day is one way we thank the local community for their support and show the great research we do,” said Scripps Florida Senior Director Dawn Johnson. “We thank the Gardens Mall for a great partnership in celebrating this unique resource.”

Frontiers in Chemistry Draws Crowd

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More than 300 people from TSRI and other local research institutions and biotech companies heard four distinguished presentations at the recent Frontiers in Chemistry symposium, hosted by TSRI Professors Dale Boger and Phil Baran. Above, Boger (left) poses with speakers (left to right) Laura Kiessling, University of Wisconsin; Chad Mirkin, Northwestern University; JoAnne Stubbe, MIT; and Chi-Huey Wong, TSRI. (Photo by Cindy Brauer.)

Michael McHeyzer-Williams to Speak at CA Faculty Lecture February 11

Michael McHeyzer-Williams is the featured speaker at the next Faculty Lecture Series presentation, Wednesday, February 11, on the La Jolla, California campus. His presentation, “Deconstructing B cell Memory,” will begin at 5 PM in the Timkin Amphitheater in the Green Hospital. A reception will follow in the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Building, first floor.

The McHeyzer-Williams lab seeks to unravel the molecular dynamics of memory B cell programming to uncover the rules that regulate effective adaptive immunity. For further information, see the Faculty Lecture Series website. The series is supported by an endowment from the Cochrane-Cartan families, established by TSRI Professor Emeritus Charles G. Cochrane.

Scholarship Applications for Female Scientists Now Open

Female postdoctoral fellows and Scripps California graduate students are invited to apply for scholarships offered by L’Oreal USA and the San Diego chapter of the Association for Women in Science, respectively. Both scholarships support women pursuing research in science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields (STEM).

Association for Women in Science, San Diego

Eligible applicants must be female students actively engaged in a degree program in the 2014-2015 academic year who have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA. The $1,000 scholarship can be used for educational expenses including tuition, books, housing or research. The application deadline is Tuesday, February 24.

In addition to a completed application, interested students must submit their most recent transcripts from their current institution and two letters of reference. Additional application instructions and forms can be downloaded from the AWIS-SD website.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 30 and will be honored at the AWIS San Diego Women in Science and Technology Conference on May 9.

L'Oréal USA for Women in Science

The 2015 L’Oréal USA for Women in Science fellowship program will recognize five U.S.-based female researchers. Recipients receive up to $60,000 each for their postdoctoral research. The program's U.S. partner, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), manages the peer-review and selection process. The application deadline is March 20.

Fellowship candidates must be willing to commit to at least 20 hours of activity supporting women and girls in science (e.g., mentoring, classroom visits, media, events). For additional information on the fellowship requirements and evaluation process and to apply, visit the L’Oreal for Women in Science website. The application is available on the AAAS secure online server.

CA SoF Travel Award Application Deadline March 1

Applications for the spring cycle of postdoctoral travel awards offered by the Scripps California Society of Fellows (SoF) are due Sunday, March 1, 5 PM, Pacific time.

Up to three $1,000 travel grants will be awarded to fulltime Scripps California research associates to cover conference-related costs (e.g. travel, housing, registration). A committee of five TSRI postdoctoral fellows will review the applications.

Postdocs who have yet to attend a meeting to present their current work, previous applicants and those with outstanding financial need are encouraged to apply in this round of grants; past travel award winners are not eligible.

Eligibility, specific application procedures and proposal guidelines can be found on the travel award webpage. Applications can be submitted securely online.

Volunteers interested in serving on the selection committee are asked to email cpso@scripps.edu.

CA Workshop: ‘Investment 101’

Scripps California scientists, students and staff are invited to attend a workshop, “Investment 101,” on Thursday, February 19, from 3 to 4:30 PM, to learn how to develop and maintain personal financial strategies.

In addition to providing a basic overview that explains the difference between saving and investing, the workshop will also cover asset classes and investment styles, bonds, stocks and types of mutual funds. James Linglebach, MetLife financial advisor, will conduct the session, sponsored by the Career and Postdoctoral Services office.

The event will be held in the graduate office large conference room on the first floor of the Hazen Theory Building. RSVP is required.

Onsite Clinic Scheduled February 18 on CA Campus

The next onsite immunization clinic on the California campus will be held Wednesday, February 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, in the Hazen Theory building, rooms 203/205. Appointments are not needed.

Conducted by Sharp Rees-Stealy staff, the clinic will provide hepatitis B vaccination free of charge to all TSRI employees. Environmental Health & Safety Occupational Medicine must pre-authorize all other procedures based on the employee's working conditions. These procedures include tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines and other titers, immunizations and procedures.

CA Biosafety Committee Meeting Materials Due

The TSRI Institutional Biosafety Committee is scheduled to meet on March 11, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM, in the P2 conference room, Building 3301. To receive committee consideration, registration documents must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety via email to rachellv@scripps.edu by February 25.

At the Auditorium: New Music Highlights

Members of the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego New Music (SDNM) organizations will celebrate SDNM’s 20^th anniversary on Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 PM, with a program of music highlights from the past two decades. The concert will include presentations of music by John Cage and additional works by living American composers Mohammed Fairouz, Amy Beth Kirsten, Christopher Adler, David Lang and John Luther Adams. Additional program and ticket information is available on the symphony’s website.

News&Views Salutes the Presidents

News&Views will take a break in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday, Monday, February 16. Regular publication will resume with the February 24 issue.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

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Visitors flocked to this year’s CELLebrate Science Day at The Gardens Mall. Top: Scripps Florida volunteers help kids (and adults) explore the amazing world—and smells—of chemistry. Bottom: Two youngsters show off the stuffed-animal virus models they won at the infectious diseases booth. (Photos courtesy of Brian Nabors, Melian Studios.)

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