In this issue
Frontiers
Sparks of Innovation
The grants are meant for Salk scientists—all trailblazers in their respective fields—to test a notion or idea so unexpected and new that traditional funding sources, such as government grants, would not typically take on the financial risk.
Observations
The Jacobs Effect
The Salk Institute and those helped by the Institute’s biomedical research have been particularly fortunate that Jacobs served as chairman of Salk’s Board for 10 years and that he and his wife have supported Salk science for even longer.
Next Gen
Unraveling the Mysteries of Life
Staff Scientist Abby Buchwalter is studying a part of the nucleus called the nuclear lamina. Akin to a skeleton, the nuclear lamina provides structural support and helps organize the nucleus, the command center of cells.
President’s Letter
“More than just money, these dedicated Salk supporters give of their time and their expertise. And for that we are particularly thankful.”
Elizabeth Blackburn
President, Salk Institute Irwin Jacobs Presidential Chair
Discoveries
Cancer
Neuroscience
Plant Biology
Regeneration
Spotlight
The Telomere Effect
Salk President Elizabeth Blackburn's new book, The Telomere Effect, will hit bookshelves in early 2017. Co-authored with Elissa Epel, health psychologist and founder and director of UCSF's Center on Obesity Assessment, Study, and Treatment, the book features Blackburn's work on telomeres, telomerase, and their role in the aging process, as well as specific lifestyle habits to protect them and slow down disease.
Education Outreach director Ellen Potter retires
When neurobiologist Ellen Potter launched Salk’s Mobile Science Lab in 1996 in conjunction with the County Office Of Education, her mission was clear: Use state-of-the-art laboratory activities to show San Diego’s middle schoolers that science is understandable, it can be a career, and above all, it’s fun. Potter retires this month after 38 years at […]
Salk welcomes new trustee
Eric Sagerman, a strategic advisor with broad financial, technology and health care experience, joined the Salk Institute Board of Trustees in August. A former CEO and president of the medical records company Universata, Sagerman served as a managing director and Head of Strategy and Strategic Marketing for Allianz Global Investors after spending 16 years with […]
Clodagh O’Shea wins competitive grant from faculty scholars program
Clodagh O’Shea, an associate professor in the Salk Institute’s Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, is among the first recipients of a grant from the Faculty Scholars Program, a new partnership of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Simons Foundation for early career researchers whose work shows the potential […]
Events
Love Was in the Air
The Salk Institute celebrated its 21st annual Symphony at Salk with a love-themed program performed by Broadway luminary Kelli O’Hara and the San Diego Symphony led by guest conductor Maestro Thomas Wilkins. More than 700 donors and community supporters gathered in the courtyard to dine and hear melodies from Bernstein’s West Side Story to Tchaikovsky’s […]
Fourth Science & Music Series Underway
The Salk Institute introduced the fourth season of its popular Science & Music Series in October with a concert by Sa Chen, one of China’s most celebrated classical pianists, and a presentation by Greg Lemke, Salk professor. In November, violinist Asi Matathias and pianist Karen Joy Davis paired with Martin Hetzer, Salk professor and chief […]
Future scientists of America
This summer, an elite group of high school students made Salk their home as they participated in the eight-week Heithoff-Brody Scholars Program, the flagship offering of Salk’s Education Outreach. Working side-by-side with Salk scientists in their labs, the teen scholars performed experimental work in plant biology, integrative genomics and computational neurobiology, to name a few […]
Leading science
Salk Women & Science‘s fall program showcased the Institute’s core facilities and the innovation and technology they provide to support breakthrough science. More than 200 people filled the Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium in October to hear Manching Ku, Carolyn O’Connor and Sarah Dunn talk about how their work in these cores contributes to the future […]