Spotlight

Awarded to two researchers annually—one in biological sciences and the other in physical sciences—since 1975, the Burton Medal recognizes scientists who have made distinguished scientific contributions to the field of microscopy and microanalysis. Lyumkis earned the award in the area of biological sciences, owed to his “impactful contributions furthering our mechanistic understanding of infectious diseases through the lens of protein biophysics and structural biology.”

Panda was named a semifinalist in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition. This seven-year, $101 million competition aims to revolutionize the way we approach human aging. He will receive $250,000 to test the feasibility of comprehensive personalized circadian rhythm optimization plans in a small group of older adults. The goal is to extend healthspans—the period of our lives during which we remain in good health.

Associate Professors Nicola Allen and Diana Hargreaves were promoted to full professors, and Assistant Professor Jesse Dixon was promoted to associate professor. The promotions were based on Salk faculty and Nonresident Fellow recommendations and approved by Salk’s president and Board of Trustees in April 2025.

“Nicola has made critical contributions to Salk’s programs in neuroimmunology and Alzheimer’s disease, and both Diana and Jesse have made important advances in cancer research. We are excited to see how their leadership and innovation will continue to shape the Institute’s success,” says President Gerald Joyce.

Lemke is one of 120 new members and 30 foreign associates to be elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, recognizing his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. This election is considered one of the highest honors accorded to a scientist in the United States. Lemke, a neuroscientist, is known for discovering the TAM family of cell receptors and their role in brain inflammation. His recognition brings the number of Salk faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences to 14.

Sejnowski, a pioneer in computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence, was elected to the Royal Society as a Foreign Member and elected to the American Philosophical Society (APS). These prestigious elections recognize his outstanding leadership and extraordinary achievement in computational neuroscience. The Royal Society is an independent scientific academy in the United Kingdom dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence. Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, APS is the oldest learned society in the United States. The society aims to gather creative thinkers in the sciences and beyond to promote the free exchange of ideas and critical thought for the public’s best interest.

David Julius, Stephen Quake, and Brenda Schulman have been named Salk Nonresident Fellows. Julius is a professor, chair of the Department of Physiology, and holder of the Morris Herzstein Chair in Molecular Biology at UC San Francisco. He shared the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries of temperature and touch receptors. Quake is the Lee Otterson professor of bioengineering at Stanford University, head of science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and founding co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. Brenda Schulman is a professor and the director of Molecular Machines and Signaling at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.

Valeiras joined the Salk Institute’s Board of Trustees as of April 2025. His scientific background in chemical engineering informed his subsequent MBA studies and 40-year career in finance. Valeiras’ new appointment at Salk further roots him in La Jolla, where he has lived for more than 20 years and currently serves as CEO of Frontier Global Partners.

Donald Cohn, San Diego real estate developer and community builder, died May 2, 2025, at the age of 93. A generous supporter of the arts, education, and science, he served on the Salk Institute’s Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2022.

“All of us at the Salk Institute were deeply saddened to learn of Don’s passing,” says Salk President Gerald Joyce. “Don was a valued member of our Board of Trustees and a true friend and champion of our mission. His thoughtful guidance, business acumen, and unwavering belief in the power of scientific discovery left a lasting impact on our Institute. Together with his wife, Karen, Don’s generous support of our annual Symphony at Salk gala helped bring our community together in celebration of science and the arts. We are profoundly grateful for his many contributions and will remember him with great respect and admiration.”