In this issue
Frontiers
How to stop a killer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat, in part because of an impenetrable “shield” that forms around the tumor. Salk scientists, many of whom have a personal connection to cancer, are leading the charge in new approaches to tackle this deadly disease.
Observations
Kay Tye
Kay Tye, the newest addition to Salk’s faculty, is a burst of energy who can chat about everything from the mysteries of the brain to the intricacies of a breakdance move. In this Q&A, she discusses her roundabout journey to science, her passion for mentorship and her love of life outside the lab.
Insights
Travis Berggren
Senior Staff Scientist Travis Berggren shares his path to Salk and his perspective on how advances in technology facilitate world-changing discoveries in genetics, neuroscience, cancer, immunology, plant biology and other areas.
Next Gen
Graziana Gatto
Postdoctoral Fellow Graziana Gatto comes to Salk from Italy, bringing her passion for scientific outreach and keen insights into how various sensations-like pain, itching or touch-are processed by the brain.
President’s Letter
“Jonas’ foundational principle of collaboration is a defining part of the Institute’s culture and success.”
Rusty Gage
President, Salk Institute
Discoveries
Neuroscience
Cancer
Healthy Aging
Spotlight
Salk Institute initiative to receive more than $35 million to fight climate change
The Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative to combat climate change using plants, led by Professor Joanne Chory, executive director of the initiative, will receive funding of over $35 million from more than 10 individuals and organizations through The Audacious Project, a highly competitive program housed at TED.
Kay Tye honored with endowed chair
Salk Professor Kay Tye has been named to the Wylie Vale Chair in recognition of her contributions and dedication to advancing science through research. Tye joined the Salk Institute on April 1, 2019, from the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Patrick Hsu named an MIT Technology Review 2019 Innovator Under 35
Helmsley-Salk Fellow Patrick Hsu has been named to MIT Technology Review’s prestigious annual list of Innovators Under 35. Every year, the magazine recognizes a list of exceptionally talented technologists whose work has great potential to transform the world.
Gerald Joyce named to Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Professor Gerald Joyce has been elected to the prestigious Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences as a foreign member. Joyce is known for his work on deciphering the origins of the code of life and understanding how RNA can help target diseases.
Events
A decade of discovery
On April 10, the Salk Institute celebrated the 10th anniversary of the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis. The anniversary symposium, titled “The Power Within – Harnessing Our Immune System for Better Health,” brought together experts in immunology, virology and infectious diseases, including the Center’s director, Professor Susan Kaech. As part of this celebration, […]
Salk Women & Science honors award donors and recipients alike
The spring Women & Science event on March 13 celebrated the generosity of two Salk professors emeritae, Suzanne Bourgeois and Ursula Bellugi. Bourgeois established the Suzanne Bourgeois Women & Science Fund to advance the work of female Salk faculty while the Salk Trailblazer award was renamed in honor of Bellugi, who established an endowed fund […]
LEICHTAG and HPI at Salk
Supporters of Salk’s Harnessing Plants Initiative gathered on May 2 at the Leichtag Foundation Commons to celebrate the $35 million endorsement by The Audacious Project of Salk’s unique solution to use the power of plants to fight global climate change.
Institute Council sees a lot of heart
The fifth annual meeting of the Salk Institute Council was held on May 1, 2019, with a keynote address by Beth Sirull, president of the Jewish Community Foundation, who shared how community foundations engage, educate and inspire generations of givers. Salk ambassadors and philanthropic leaders heard updates on scientific initiatives, witnessed beating heart cells under […]