In Brief

TSRI Named Among Best R&D in Florida

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has been named among the top research and development institutions or companies in a “2015 Best of Economic Development in Florida” list from Southern Business & Development (SB&D) magazine.

The “Best of Economic Development in Florida” was determined by the SB&D Southern Economic Development Roundtable, whose membership includes a dozen current and former Secretaries of Commerce who meet annually to discuss the economic issues facing the 15-state American South.

Since Scripps Florida’s founding in 2004, the campus has been awarded more than $425 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and other non-State sources and has produced more than 100 foreign and domestic patent applications, 39 technology licenses, six spin-off companies and numerous collaborations with other Florida institutions, including Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Max Planck Florida and the University of Miami.

TSRI Hosts Screening of Parkinson’s Disease Documentary

TSRI will host a public screening of the documentary “It Seems Like Magic…But It’s Science: A Quest to End Parkinson’s Disease,” the story of stem cell research advocates and their 2013 trek to Mt. Everest, on Thursday, July 30, 4:30 to 6:30 PM at The Auditorium at TSRI.

The 50-minute film documents the remarkable journey of 10 members of Summit 4 Stem Cell, a volunteer organization that supports induced pluripotent stem cell research to develop a treatment for Parkinson's and aims to inspire people with the disease to move beyond their physical limitations. The group, including three members with Parkinson’s, travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal, and climbed 17,600 feet to the Mt. Everest Base Camp.

Following the screening, a discussion session will be held with researchers, doctors, hikers and filmmakers. The event is presented by TSRI, Scripps Health and Summit 4 Stem Cell.

Summit 4 Stem Cell supports the patient-specific stem-cell-to-neuron research conducted by TSRI Professor Jeanne Loring and Melissa Houser, director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla. Visit the organization’s website for additional information.

Reservations for the film event are requested by Monday, July 20, to Chelsea Luedeke at (858) 784-7083 or cluedeke@scripps.edu.

Faculty to Share Expertise in FL Mentoring Session

Four faculty members from Scripps Florida—Professor Phil LoGrasso, Associate Professor Brock Grill and Assistant Professors Laura Solt and Bill Ja—will share their expertise and guidance with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students at the upcoming Mentoring Session, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, from 4 to 5 PM in the Campus Café.

Each faculty member will serve as a subject-area mentor in one of four areas:

Academic vs. industry careers: LoGrasso
Interviewing for postdoctoral positions: Grill
Interview for faculty positions: Solt
Grant/fellowship writing: Ja

In addition, Mary Schrot, scholar advisor in the TSRI International Office, will provide information and advice on H1B visa petitions: cap subject vs. cap exempt.

Sponsored by Career and Postdoctoral Services, the session will include light refreshments. To sign up for a specific table topic, RSVP to program coordinator Briana Konnick at bkonnick@scripps.edu.

FL Career Workshops: Networking, Applying for Grants

Developing interpersonal skills for business connections is the focus of an upcoming career workshop, Introduction to Networking, sponsored by TSRI Career and Postdoctoral Services on Wednesday, July 22, from 3 to 4:30 PM in room B159.

Briana Konnick, program coordinator, will conduct the session, which will cover networking basics, elevator pitches and conversation skills. The workshop will include a speed-networking activity to help participants hone new skills in a small group environment.

RSVP is required.

Postdoctoral fellows and graduate students interested in the Academic Careers Roundtable event on National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants are reminded the session has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 15, noon to 1 PM, in the Board Room. Also sponsored by Career and Postdoctoral Services, the workshop will review the process for NIH Pathway to Independence Awards (K99/R00).

TSRI Associate Professor Courtney Miller will facilitate the informal session. Lunch will be served; reservations are required.

CA ScrippsAssists to Support ElderHelp ‘Fun Run’

ScrippsAssists invites faculty, staff, students, family and friends to volunteer at the ElderHelp 5K Fun Run/One-Mile Family Walk, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 7 to 10 AM at Roadrunner Sports in San Diego.

Volunteers will help with participant check-in, course hydration stations, course monitoring and finish line hydration and refreshment distribution.

The event is designed to raise funds and awareness of ElderHelp, a nonprofit agency that provides independent living programs and services for San Diego seniors.

To volunteer or for additional information, contact ScrippsAssists project coordinator Jess Sheu-Gruttadauria at jgruttad@scripps.edu. Race participation and donation information is available at the RoadRunner Sports website.

CA Biosafety Committee Meeting Materials Due July 29

The TSRI Institutional Biosafety Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 12. To receive committee consideration, registration documents must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety via email to rachellv@scripps.edu by Wednesday, July 29.

Emergency Numbers Reminder

In addition to information posted on the TSRI website, the following hotlines are available in an emergency situation:

CALIFORNIA

The California Campus Status Hotline at (858) 784-7000. California employees can call the hotline in any regional emergency for a recorded message on the work status of the campus. The institute's website and email system serve as additional sources of information.

In case of an emergency on the California campus, dial "77." The call is connected automatically with the security operator located at the Beckman Center front entrance. The security operator will answer, take preliminary information and then ask caller to hold as he/she is transferred to the 911 operator. It is important not to disconnect the call during this transfer; the line will be silent until the 911 operator answers (this may take more than a minute). During the call, other members of the TSRI Emergency Response Team will be alerted to provide additional assistance.

FLORIDA

The Florida Campus Status Hotline at (561) 228-2999. Florida employees can call the hotline in any regional emergency, such as a hurricane, for a recorded message on the work status of the campus.

In case of a Florida campus emergency, call "911." Dialing 911 from a TSRI phone automatically connects the caller to Scripps Florida Security desk in Building B reception. Security will obtain the critical information and immediately contact the TSRI Emergency Response Team and the Palm Beach County emergency center, which will dispatch the appropriate team from Jupiter Police, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and/or EMS to the Florida campus.

At the Auditorium: Shubert Festival

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s 17^thannual Summer Festival concert series continues Sunday, July 19, 4 PM, featuring the works of Franz Schubert. Pianist Gustavo Romero will perform selections from several Schubert compositions, including Sonata in C Major, "Relique,” D. 840; Sonata in A Minor, D. 845; and Sonata in A Major, D.959.

The final festival concert will be held Sunday, July 26 with Romero performing from Schubert’s Drei Klavierstucke, D.946; Sechs Kleine Klavierstucke Op. 19; Sonata in A Minor, D. 784; Sonata in A Minor, D. 784 and Allegro Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960. Summer festival ticket information is available on the Athenaeum website.

The Auditorium at TSRI is located at 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego 92121.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

Since its founding in 2004, Scripps Florida has brought in more than $425 million in grants from the National Institues of Health and other non-State sources. (Photo by James McEntee.)

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