Etcetera

George Koob Receives Honorary Degree
George Koob, chair of the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders and co-director of the Pearson Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research at The Scripps Research Institute, has received an honorary degree from his alma mater, Pennsylvania State University. "Renowned scientist, educator, and pioneering researcher in the field of substance abuse and stress, George F. Koob is considered the world's leading authority on the neurobiology of drug abuse," reads the citation. "He has been a leader in the development of preclinical models of drug reinforcement, drug craving, and withdrawal for substances including alcohol, nicotine, and numerous illicit drugs. He is also recognized as an expert in the neuropharmacology of stress and anxiety disorders."

Koob spoke and received the honorary doctor of science in ceremonies at Penn State's College of Health and Human Development on May 16, 2009.

Micalizio Lab Papers Make Most-Accessed Lists
Two of Associate Professor Glenn Micalizio's publications have recently made most-accessed lists:

Included as one of the most read articles over the last 12 months in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) is "Total Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of (+)-Phorbasin C" (2009, 131, 1392) by T.K. Macklin, T. K. and G.C. Micalizio. (For the list, see JACS's "Most Read Articles.")

Also listed as one the most accessed articles in April 2009 for the journal Angewandte Chemie lists is "Complex Allylation by the Direct Cross-Coupling of Imines with Unactivated Allylic Alcohols" by M. Takahashi, M. McLaughlin, and G.C. Micalizio (2009, 48, 3648). (See Angewandte Chemie)

Evergreen Middle School Supports Scripps Research
Earlier this year, students from Evergreen Middle School in Everett, Washington, sponsored a "fun run" to raise money for charity and school activities. The students chose The Scripps Research Institute to receive this year's charitable funds. The $569.65 gift is dedicated to research on Parkinson's disease.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu