In Brief

Of Note

TSRI Faculty Members Rank Among 'Most Influential Scientific Minds'

Numerous faculty members from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have been ranked among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” of 2014 by Thomson-Reuters, based on citations-per-paper data.

The Thomson-Reuters list identifies researchers who published the greatest number of papers ranked in the top one percent by citations for their field from 2002 to 2012. Those acknowledged on the list, according to Thomson-Reuters, “are the people who are on the cutting edge in their fields. They are performing and publishing work that their peers recognize as vital to the advancement of their science.”

Included on the list are TSRI faculty members:

Phil Baran (chemistry)
Dennis Burton (microbiology)
Jerold Chun (pharmacology and toxicology)
Benjamin Cravatt (biology and biochemistry)
Valery Fokin (chemistry)
Pascal Poignard (microbiology)
K. Barry Sharpless (chemistry)
Eric Topol (clinical medicine)
Ian Wilson (microbiology)
Richard Wyatt (microbiology)
Jin-Quan Yu (chemistry)

The complete list, which includes the late TSRI Professor Carlos Barbas III, is available on the Thomson-Reuters website.

Philip Dawson Receives Zervas Award

Philip Dawson, professor and associate dean of graduate studies at TSRI, is a co-recipient of the 2014 Leonidas Zervas Award, presented by the European Peptide Society (EPS) to the scientist who made the most outstanding contribution to the chemistry, biochemistry or biology of peptides in the previous five years.

Dawson was recognized for his critical role in the development of the native chemical ligation, now the most practical method for the total chemical synthesis of proteins, according to the EPS announcement. He was also cited for his discovery of aniline catalysis of hydrazone and oxime formation.

Dawson shares the Zervas award, presented biennially, with Miguel Castanho, professor at the University of Lisbon, Portugal. The award’s namesake was a pioneer in peptide synthesis, known for developing the Cbz protecting group with Max Bergmann.

Dawson will receive the award during opening ceremonies of the 33^rd European Peptide Symposium, August 31 at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria. For additional information on Dawson’s research, visit the his lab’s website.

Linda Sherman Assumes AAI Presidency

TSRI Professor Linda Sherman has assumed the presidency of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI), a 101-year-old international organization of scientists dedicated to advancing the knowledge of immunology and its related disciplines.

An active AAI member for more than 30 years, Sherman began her one-year term July 1. The 7,600-member professional organization fosters the exchange of information and ideas among investigators and addresses the potential integration of immunologic principles into clinical practice. AAI also publishes the Journal of Immunology.

Sherman’s TSRI lab studies autoimmunity and tumor immunity, in particular examining how expression of proteins in normal tissues or tumor cells alters recognition and responsiveness by T lymphocytes to antigens of these proteins.

Dawn Johnson Joins Economic Council

Dawn Johnson, senior director of scientific operations on the Scripps Florida campus, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Economic Council. She joins other new board members Jose Gonzalez, senior vice president, Florida East Coast Industries; John Csapo, chief development officer, The Kolter Group; and Robert Coker, senior vice president of public affairs at U.S. Sugar Corporation.

The 39-year old council was established to promote prudent economic growth, advocate for quality of life and encourage good government practices in Palm Beach County.

Cherie Ng Wins NIH Pathway to Independence Award

Cherie Ng, senior research associate in the Oldstone lab, has received a Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. The three-year award supports highly promising, postdoctoral research scientists as they transition to faculty positions.

Ng’s award project, “The Anatomy of Viral Persistence: Lymphocyte Migration and Lymphoid Structure,” focuses on the essential roles of cellular interactions and lymphoid structure throughout the immune process during viral infection.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

SEARCH NEWS & VIEWS

Letter from Richard Gephardt

Team Finds Ancient Protein-Building Enzymes Have Evolved Diverse New Functions

Researchers Identify Gene that Plays a Surprising Role in Combating Aging

Listening to Cells: Ardem Patapoutian at Work

Grant Supports Development of New Breed of Cancer Treatments