Events

Salk Institute appreciates pre- and postdoctoral researchers

During the week of September 16-20, Salk celebrated National Postdoc Appreciation Week by thanking both pre- and postdoctoral trainees, who collectively make up approximately one-third of the Institute.

To celebrate the week, Salk’s Pre- & Postdoctoral Office, led by B. Bea Rajsombath, planned a variety of activities for Salk trainees, including an ice cream social, alumni panel, a night out at Petco Park for a Padres baseball game, networking opportunities, yoga, and more.

Rajsombath and her team support trainees throughout the year, serving as an invaluable resource that enhances the training experience at Salk.

“Graduate students and postdoctoral trainees are the backbone of Salk’s research labs,” says Salk Chief Science Officer Jan Karlseder. “These talented researchers design and conduct critical hands-on experiments, collect and analyze data, and drive new research directions. They co-author papers and grant applications and mentor other students and lab members. In short, their knowledge, ideas, and skills are essential for advancing science. Moreover, their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm often lead to innovative approaches and groundbreaking discoveries.

“On behalf of Salk’s leadership and faculty, we thank our grad students and postdocs—we appreciate your dedication, insights, and creativity.”

Science and art converged at the 28th annual Symphony at Salk

The Salk Institute is grateful to the many generous sponsors who contributed to the spectacular night, and who continue to support life-changing research.

The 28th annual Symphony at Salk welcomed more than 400 attendees to the Salk Institute’s iconic Courtyard on August 17. The concert under the stars showcased an outstanding performance by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sean O’Loughlin and presented by Zenith-level sponsors Ann Tsukamoto-Weissman and Irv Weissman. The night also featured guest artists David Foster, sixteen-time Grammy Award®-winning musician, composer, and producer, and Katharine McPhee, acclaimed singer and television/Broadway star, with special guest Daniel Emmet, an outstanding, multi-lingual vocalist.

Many additional sponsors made the event possible, including Supernova-level sponsors BioMed Realty, Sarah and Jay Flatley, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, Rita and Brian Kaspar, and the Hutton-Zimmerman Family.

In addition to enjoying world-class musical entertainment, attendees were immersed in a multimedia experience that introduced Salk’s Unlocking Healthy Aging Initiative. Historically, aging research has been approached with a kind of tunnel vision, with each scientific discipline focusing on individual aspects of age-related diseases. In contrast, the Salk Institute brings together multidisciplinary teams of experts to investigate the many underlying aspects of aging—including genome instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation.

“Symphony at Salk is a unique event that brings together the two worlds of science and art, each enriching the other and helping us develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world,” says Salk Institute President Gerald Joyce. “We are grateful to our many visionary sponsors who share Salk’s appreciation for the arts and sciences, and who demonstrate their generous support for Salk with their precious time and philanthropic contributions. You are all true partners in helping us build a healthier world together.”

Symphony at Salk helps drive the Institute’s seven-year, $750 million Campaign for Discovery, which has now raised more than $455 million to support critical research.

Save the date for the 29th annual Symphony at Salk on August 16, 2025. Details will be available next year at symphony.salk.edu.

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