In Brief

James Paulson and Ardem Patapoutian Elected AAAS Fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elected two new fellows from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI): James Paulson, the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair of Chemistry at TSRI and chair of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, and TSRI Professor Ardem Patapoutian, who is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator.

“James and Ardem have made extraordinary contributions to our understanding of glycobiology and sensory perception, respectively, and it is terrific to see them recognized by their peers in this manner,” said TSRI President Peter Schultz. “We all congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”

Paulson was honored for his work in the biological sciences, specifically glycobiology—the study of the biology of saccharides (sugar chains or glycans). His lab’s research focuses on carbohydrate recognition and carbohydrate-binding proteins that mediate cellular communication in the immune system and the emergence of new pandemic influenza viruses in humans. His work has implications for the treatment of various conditions, including autoimmune disease, allergies, asthma and influenza. For more on his research, visit the Paulson laboratory website.

Patapoutian was recognized for his research in neuroscience. In 2010, Patapoutian and his lab colleagues discovered the Piezo proteins, which are ion channels in the cell membrane that regulate how cells sense mechanical force, thus contributing to our sense of touch. Further research in his lab has explored the workings of these channels and their relevance as targets for treating pain, hypertension and other conditions. For more on his research, visit the Patapoutian laboratory website.

Fellows of AAAS, founded in 1848, are elected based on their efforts to advance scientific applications deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. AAAS has awarded the distinction of Fellow to 391 of its members this year. Fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue rosette pin on February 18 at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston.

CA ScrippsAssists Invites You to Help Feed Local Families This Season

TSRI employees can help local families this winter by participating in the ScrippsAssists Annual Holiday Food Drive benefiting the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

From now through January 6, food can be placed in marked red barrels at the following locations:

Beckman lobby (2nd floor)
Immunology lobby
The Skaggs Institute / Molecular Biology Building lobby
3301 Administration building lobby
3050 Science Park (2nd-floor breakroom near IT Services)
DNC lobby
MEM lobby

The food bank can only accept nonperishable items labeled with ingredients and expiration dates. NOTE: Due to food safety regulations, the food bank is unable to accept home canned or baked products, glass containers, baby food in glass jars or cans that are leaking or bulging. The most-needed food items are canned meats (tuna, ham, chicken, stew, etc.), soups, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta and infant formula.

You can also donate money directly. Every dollar enables the Food Bank to purchase enough food for five meals. Checks should be made payable to Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and sent via interoffice mail to Mishelle McClanahan-Shinn at BCC405. If you prefer to donate by credit card, visit the Virtual Food Drive website.

For further information, please contact Project Lead Mishelle McClanahan-Shinn at mshinn@scripps.edu.

FL Biosafety Meeting Scheduled for December 6

The next meeting of the Scripps Florida Institutional Biosafety Committee will be held on Thursday, December 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, in room B316. RSVP required to Galina Judge, gjudge@scripps.edu.

CA Onsite Clinic Scheduled for December 7

The next onsite immunization clinic on the California campus will be held Wednesday, December 7, 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 and 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.

Photo: Making a Difference at 'Run for the Hungry'

foodbank
TSRI employees volunteered on Thanksgiving Day to help raise funds and collect donations for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and other local hunger-relief programs at the annual “Run for the Hungry” event in downtown San Diego. Above, Mishelle McClanahan-Shinn (left) and Beverly Ellis of CA ScrippsAssists smile as they volunteer at the Food Bank tent. (Photo by Stephanie Schauer.)

CA Biosafety Committee Meeting Materials Due December 16

To receive consideration at the next TSRI Institutional Biosafety Committee, registration documents must be submitted to Environmental Health and Safety by Friday, December 16, via email to rachellv@scripps.edu. The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2:30 to 3:30 PM, in the P2 conference room, Building 3301.

Update: CA ScrippsAssists Announces Craft Fair Raffle Prizes

The annual ScrippsAssists Craft Fair and Raffle will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM on Thursday, December 8, in the Immunology Galleria. All proceeds from exhibitor fees and the Craft Fair Raffle are donated to nonprofits serving the local community.

This year there will be two grand prizes of roundtrip Southwest Airlines vouchers for two. In addition, two special prizes of Scavengers Beer Adventures for two will be awarded, courtesy of the Society of Fellows (SoF).

Other donated prizes include:

Del Mar Inn Staycation: one-night stay and dinner for two at Bistro C Cafe
Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine: one-night stay
Del Mar Rendezvous: dinner for two ($88 value)
Shopping Trip: $25 Bed, Bath & Beyond, $25 Pottery Barn, $25 Williams-Sonoma and a $25 Best Buy gift cards
A golf package and a $50 Golf Galaxy Gift card
NINE-TEN Restaurant: three-course dinner for two ($120 value)
24 Hour Fitness: seven-day pass and 30-day pass
Shiley Fitness Center: one-month membership (two winners)
Dining: Farmer & the Seahorse, French Gourmet, Starbucks
Hilton Torrey Pines: one-night stay and breakfast for two
San Diego Chargers’ “schwag”

Can’t make it to the fair this year? You can purchase raffle tickets early at the following pre-sell locations starting Monday, December 5:

Beckman, NMR Facility – contact Dee Huang
Science Park 3030, Room 1150 – contact Pam Cryer
Faculty Club (1:00 to 5:00 PM) – contact Lonnie Butler

For more information, please contact ScrippsAssists Chair Mishelle McClanahan-Shinn, mshinn@scripps.edu.

Send comments to: press[at]scripps.edu

paulson
James Paulson is the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Chair of Chemistry at TSRI and chair of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. (Photo by BioMedical Graphics.)

Ardem Patapoutian is a professor at TSRI and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator. (Photo by BioMedical Graphics.)

Photo: TSRI Cheers for Komen '3-Day Walkers'

Volunteers from CA ScrippsAssists and the TSRI Office of Philanthropy staffed a relief station and cheered for breast cancer survivors and their supporters in the “Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day” on Friday, November 18. Above, Chelsea Luedeke (right) of the TSRI Office of Philanthropy greets two of the more than 2,000 people who participated in the three-day walk to raise money for breast cancer research and screening. (Photo by Dave Freeman.)

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