President’s Letter

Dear Friends of Salk,

At the Salk Institute, we are driven by a simple but powerful belief: that understanding life at its most foundational level is the surest path to improving human health. This year, we are bringing that belief into sharp focus as we recognize 2026 as Salk’s Year of Brain Health, an ambitious, Institute-wide effort to deepen our understanding of the brain, protect it across the lifespan, and prevent the cognitive and mental health challenges that touch nearly every family. 

Investigating brain health is not the work of a single discipline. It requires collaboration across neuroscience, genetics, immunology, metabolism, computation, and more. That spirit of cross-pollination is at the heart of Salk, and it is why our donor-funded Innovation and Collaboration Grants are so vital. These grants empower our scientists to pursue bold “what if ?” questions, test unconventional ideas, and form new partnerships that might otherwise never get off the ground. As the feature story in this issue illustrates, these early investments often ignite discoveries that go on to attract major external funding and reshape entire fields. 

Philanthropy plays a unique and essential role in this process. Through programs such as the Innovation and Collaboration Grants and the Discovery Society, our supporters help ensure that promising ideas are not left unexplored simply because they are too new, too risky, or too cross-disciplinary for traditional funding sources. Your partnership gives our scientists the freedom to be creative and visionary. The impact of that freedom is felt far beyond our campus. 

This year also offers opportunities to come together in celebration of creativity and community. I invite you to join us on August 15 for Symphony at Salk, a special evening on our iconic campus featuring the San Diego Symphony performing with The Bacon Brothers. It promises to be a memorable night that reflects the harmony between art and science, and the shared commitment that makes Salk so special. 

Thank you for being part of the Salk community. Your support fuels discovery, advances brain health, and helps us build a healthier future for all. 

With gratitude,

Gerald Joyce
Salk Institute President