Scripps Research Launches New Web Site

By Mika Ono

If you are reading this article, you have probably noticed that The Scripps Research Institute has a new web site. The new site, launched the evening of Friday, September 10, offers a contemporary design, increased ease of navigation, and more complete descriptions of Scripps Research faculty and support services.

“There is a lot to say about The Scripps Research Institute,” says Keith McKeown, vice president of communications and public relations. “As one of the top biomedical research centers in the world, Scripps Research has top-notch faculty, state-of-the-art technology, and an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and excellence. One challenge was to reflect the institute’s outstanding quality in the site.”

Robin Clark, director of web-based communications, adds, “"Working with so much information, [another] challenge was to create an intuitive navigation scheme that would allow many types of users—employees, faculty, students, donors, reporters, members of the academic community—to find what they need with facility.  Since virtually all categories of information are accessible from the home page, we feel that we've constructed an efficient, easy-to-use resource.

Clark continues, “Jann Coury, web production and publications specialist, and Jim Keais, the institute’s webmaster, deserve a great deal of credit for their great ideas, creativity, and hard work in making the site come together.”

The layout, created in conjunction with San Diego’s Bennett Peji Design, features layered pull-down menus, modern design elements, and more photos of the ocean-side campus.

The updated site also includes profiles of Scripps Research faculty, which can be searched by name or area of expertise. Each profile offers an overview of an investigator’s research, education, awards, and publications, as well as a photo and link to the lab’s web page.

Several support departments also offer updated the information on their pages. The Development Office, for example, now lists numerous giving opportunities. Human Resources posts information specifically for job seekers and new employees. The Office of Communications makes available frequently requested logos, images, and fonts to those who work at the institute. Other departments with enriched content include Research Computing, the Kresge Library, and Research Services. Seperate pages highlight Scripps Florida.

“A Huge Task”

The new site launched after 5 PM on Friday evening, when Coury and Keais posted the new site to the www.scripps.edu URL. The two plan to spend the weekend trouble-shooting any errors introduced by the conversion and double-checking links in the new site.

The official launch on Friday evening was the culmination of an effort that took well over a year and involved dozens of individuals from across campus. The redesign of the site involved coordinating with every Scripps Research department and converting some 15,000 web pages.

“Thanks to everyone who helped with the project,” says Coury. “It was a huge task.”

Coury also makes note of three interns who assisted her this summer: Karla Martinez-Sanchez, Matt Thompson, and Pouya Bozorgmehr. “Having three bright, hardworking, and self-motivated young people to help with the final stages of project was a blessing,” she says.

A Work in Progress

While the new site is now live, the work is far from over. Coury and Keais expect to be tweaking web pages for some time to come.

Coury advises those at the institute to let her know of any trouble they encounter. “Please check your own pages and let me know if there are any changes that need to be made,” she says. “Because we may have a large volume of requests, we will make changes on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Keais also suggests that web users check http://www.scripps.edu/rc/webmaster/ for any changes in guidelines and acceptable use policies.

Coury can be reached at: jcoury@scripps.edu. Keais can be reached at: jim@scripps.edu.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

"As one of the top biomedical research centers in the world, Scripps Research has top-notch faculty, state-of-the-art technology, and an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and excellence. One challenge was to reflect the institute's outstanding quality in the site."

-Keith McKeown