Salk Science at the Seaside – Symposium 2025
Salk is more than a research institute—it’s a training ground for the next generation of foundational scientists. The 14th annual Science at the Seaside Symposium was a celebration and showcase of their hard work and new discoveries.
The Society of Research Fellows (SRF) is a group of graduate and postdoctoral researchers dedicated to fostering a sense of community among trainees at the Salk Institute. Each fall, SRF brings together the Salk community for a day that mixes science with camaraderie, creating a space for connection, mentorship, and strengthening the bonds that make Salk a thriving intellectual community.
Whether sharing their latest data, meeting collaborators over coffee, or enjoying science-themed humor, participants nurtured the relationships that drive Salk’s collaborative spirit.
“Our trainees are an essential and deeply valued part of our research operations. Events such as Science at the Seaside are just wonderful, as they emphasize achievements, exciting science, and our community.”
-Jan Karlseder
Celebrating Salk’s culture of curiosity
Science at the Seaside spotlighted the breadth of research at the Institute, featuring presentations by Salk postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and faculty.
“Our trainees are an essential and deeply valued part of our research operations,” says Chief Science Officer Jan Karlseder, PhD. “Events such as Science at the Seaside are just wonderful, as they emphasize achievements, exciting science, and our community.”
Featured talks
The program packed a punch, featuring presentations by Salk researchers, a keynote address by Nobel laureate and Salk Nonresident Fellow David Julius, PhD, and a closing keynote from UC San Diego microbiome trailblazer Rob Knight, PhD.
Salk postdoctoral researchers Tessa Popay, PhD, and Amanda Wacker, PhD, showcased their innovative approaches to studying genome organization and protein-DNA interactions in engaging oral presentations. Postdoctoral researcher Adam Farsheed, PhD, and graduate student researchers Abigail Jaquish and Delisa Ramos received Poster Awards for their exceptional research on 3D-printed brain models, immune cell dynamics in lactation, and molecular mechanisms of aging.
Blending enthusiasm, laughter, and science
The day blended rigorous science with playful engagement, including POP Talks—short, creative video spotlights on Salk science, Institute resources, and community events—and the ever-popular Faculty Fun Science Improv, where faculty are surprised with a parody slide and tasked with presenting it as their own research.
A tradition of togetherness
While the program emphasized science, Science at the Seaside also embodied Salk’s core value of community. Poster sessions, meals, and the closing reception provided informal opportunities for attendees to share insights, spark new collaborations, and get to know colleagues from different corners of the Institute.
The symposium was not just a showcase of research excellence—it was also a celebration of the people who make discovery possible. This tradition is able to continue because of the funds committed from the Institute, the dedicated support of the Pre & Postdoctoral Office staff, and the many volunteers who help deliver this annual symposium.
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