In Brief

Oldstone, Sullivan Labs Receive Additional $3 Million for Study of Ebola, Lassa Fever Virus

A supplemental National Institutes of Health award of $3 million over two years was recently made to principal investigators Brian Sullivan and Michael B.A. Oldstone of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) to investigate the pathogenesis and immunity to the major hemorrhagic fever infections caused by Ebola and Lassa Fever viruses.

These funds enhance ongoing funding for a consortium from Tulane Medical School, the Broad Institute/Harvard Medical School and TSRI to evaluate human and viral genetics along with innate and adoptive immune responses to these infections.

Sandelman Travel Award Winners Announced

The 2016 Robert M. Sandelman Awards for Scientific Excellence, which support attendance at scientific conferences, were announced October 21 at Scripps Florida’s Research Fest: Scientific Symposium & Vendor Show.

Recipients of the travel grants are:

Ran Wang, a research associate in the Solt laboratory, has received $1,250 to present research at the Keystone Symposium on Immune Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer in Whistler, British Columbia, in March. Wang’s project is titled “The role of nuclear receptor RORα in TH17 cell development and TH17-driven inflammatory disorders.”
Mei Lan Chen, a graduate student in the Sundred laboratory, has also received $1,250 to present research at the Keystone Symposium in Whistler, British Columbia. Chen’s project is titled “Somatosensory cortex in a model of ASD/ID.”
Murat Kilinc, a graduate student in the Rumbaugh laboratory, has received $1,000 to present “SynGAP Guidance of Neocortical Circuit Assembly” at the Gordon Research Conference on Modulation of Neural Circuits & Behavior held in Maine in June.
Emin Ozkan, a research associate in the Rumbaugh laboratory, has received $1,000 to present “Transcriptional Regulation of Intestinal T Cell Adaptation” at the Big Questions in Neuroscience conference in San Diego in November.

Recognizing outstanding scientific achievement and accomplishment, the awards are funded through the Boca Raton-based Sandelman Foundation, established by sales promotion pioneer Robert Sandelman, founder of the first sales promotion agency in the United States and creator of the American Express Gold Card.

Campuses Celebrate New Affiliation

Benefits: Open Enrollment Begins October 24

Employee Benefits Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 24 and runs through Friday, November 4, 5 PM Pacific time. During this annual opportunity, participants can make changes to their TSRI selections and, if eligible, enroll or re-enroll in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Spending Accounts or the Health Savings Account (if applicable) for the 2017 plan year.

As environmental and reduced mailing cost measures, all Open Enrollment communications are sent via email and are available on the Open Enrollment website. It is important to review the information provided in the online Open Enrollment booklet regarding plan information for the 2017 plan year.

According to the TSRI Human Resources Department, no changes will be made to the health plan designs or premium deductions this year.

Participants are asked to note that the maximum dollar amount for the Health Care Spending Account is $2,550. Eligible employees who participated in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Spending Accounts or the Health Savings Account in 2016 still must log on and elect a new deferral amount to participate in 2017. Employees’ 2016 election WILL NOT roll over to 2017.

CA Onsite Clinic November 2

The next onsite immunization clinic on the California campus will be held Wednesday, November 2, from 9:30 to 11 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 October 28

To receive consideration at the next TSRI Institutional Biosafety Committee, registration documents must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety by Friday, October 28, via email to rachellv@scripps.edu. The meeting will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2:30 to 3:30 PM, building 3301, P2 conference room.

At the Auditorium: Clarinetist Raphaël Sévère

The La Jolla Music Society Discovery Series presents award-winning clarinetist Raphaël Sévère on Sunday, October 30, 3 PM. Joined by pianist Paul Montag, the young French musician will perform works by Devienne, Poulenc, Berg and Weber. For ticket and program information, visit the society’s website.

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

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

Campuses Celebrate New Affiliation

Receptions on TSRI’s California and Florida campuses celebrated the announcement of a strategic affiliation with Calibr. (Photos by John Dole.)

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