In Brief

Dale Boger Wins Award for Outstanding Cancer Research

Dale Boger, the Richard and Alice Cramer Professor of Chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI,) has received the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2014 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research.

The AACR award honors outstanding, novel and significant chemistry research that has led to important contributions to the fields of basic cancer research, translational cancer research, cancer diagnosis, the prevention of cancer or the treatment of patients with cancer.

The award recognizes Boger’s research in combining novel synthetic methodology to develop natural products and designing second-generation synthetic compounds as potent anticancer agents. His studies have revealed the mechanisms by which several anticancer agents interact with DNA and have created unique drug design paradigms.

Boger will deliver an award lecture titled “Uniquely Effective Synthetic Analogs of the Complex Antitumor Natural Products Vinblastine and the Duocarmycins” on Tuesday, April 8, 3 PM, in Ballroom 20D in the San Diego Convention Center during the AACR 2014 Annual Meeting. The award includes a $10,000 honorarium.

Ludovic Autin Named Finalist in Science Art Competition

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The image, “Synaptic Vesicle,” by Ludovic Autin, senior research associate in the Olson lab, is one of nine finalists from six countries in the 2014 JALA & JBS Art of Science Contest, sponsored by the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening to highlight the role visualization plays in the analysis and presentation of scientific work.

Autin’s image is a molecular model of a synaptic vesicle, based on the work of Takamori et al. The individual 3-D protein models were generated using the embedded Python Molecular Viewer (ePMV) Autin developed in the Olson lab and packed into the image using AutoPack/cellPack software he developed with TSRI alumnus Graham Johnson. Adam Gardner, Olson lab assistant, helped provide the final image rendering, done in CINEMA4D 3d modeling software.

Marty Fedor to Speak at March 12 Faculty Lecture Series

Marty Fedor, professor in the TSRI Department of Chemical Physiology, is the featured speaker at the upcoming Faculty Lecture Series presentation, to be held on Wednesday, March 12, from 5 to 6 PM in the Green Hospital’s Timkin Amphitheater in La Jolla, California. Fedor’s topic is “Mechanisms of RNA-Mediated Gene Regulation: From Proton Transfer Through Nucleotide Signaling.” A reception will follow in the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Building, first floor. For further information, see Fedor’s Faculty Lecture Series webpage. The lecture series is supported by an endowment from the Cochrane-Cartan families, established by TSRI Professor Emeritus Charles G. Cochrane.

Career Workshops: Job Applications and Effective Writing Skills

Two workshops open to postdoctoral fellows and graduate students on both the Florida and California campuses will be presented in March by Career and Postdoctoral Services staff, including Ryan Wheeler, director, and Mike Matrone and Jean Branan, program coordinators.

From Job Ad to Interview
Preparing targeted job applications for industry positions is the goal of this workshop, conducted on the Florida campus by Matrone on Tuesday, March 18, from 9 to 10:30 AM in Classroom B159. Wheeler and Branan will present the workshop on the California campus Thursday, March 20, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the HR Training Room, 3377 Building, Suite 205.

Session participants will learn how to identify and apply transferable skills, prepare a targeted resume for non-academic positions, write compelling cover letters and develop and maintain a professional online identity. Workshop registration is required.

Effective Scientific Writing
This workshop aims to demystify the process of writing effective scientific manuscripts. Conducted by Matrone and streamed live to Scripps California, the bicoastal session will be held on Wednesday, March 26, from 10 to 11:30 AM in the Committee Lecture Hall on the California campus and from 1 to 2:30 PM in Classroom B158 on the Florida campus.

Workshop topics will include writing with clarity, using correct grammar and keeping the reader in mind. Registration is required.

Healthcare Spending Account Deadline: March 15

March 15 is the deadline to incur claims under the 2013 plan year for participants in the TSRI Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA) who have a balance in their 2013 HCSA accounts.

Claims for reimbursement for the 2013 plan year must be submitted to TSRI healthcare provider, UMR, by Monday, June 30, 2014. June 30 is also the deadline to submit Dependent Care Spending Account claims for the 2013 plan year.

UMR claim forms are available on the TSRI benefits website. For further information, contact Benefits Administration at 858-784-8487 or benefits@scripps.edu.

English-as-a-Second-Language Classes Begin March 11

A new series of English-as-a-second-language classes will begin on the California campus Tuesday, March 11. The classes, taught by instructor Cassandra Wadkins, will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 PM every Tuesday in the Immunology Building West Conference Room. The price for three months (12 classes) is $60.

Each intermediate-level English class covers speaking and listening, idioms and vocabulary, and reading and writing. Wadkins uses movies, games, television shows, grammar books, songs, drawing and novels to teach standard American English. For more information, leave a message at x4-2176.

Emergency Number Reminders

In addition to information posted on the TSRI website, remember the following hotlines are available in an emergency situation:

CALIFORNIA

The California Campus Status Hotline at (858) 784-7000. California employees can call the hotline in any regional emergency for a recorded message on the work status of the campus. The institute's website and email system serve as additional sources of information.
In case of an emergency on the California campus, dial "77." The call is connected automatically with the security operator located at the Beckman Center front entrance. The security operator will answer, take preliminary information and then ask caller to hold as he/she is transferred to the 911 operator. It is important not to disconnect the call during this transfer; the line will be silent until the 911 operator answers (this may take more than a minute). During the call, other members of the TSRI Emergency Response Team will be alerted to provide additional assistance.

FLORIDA

The Florida Campus Status Hotline at (561) 228-2999. Florida employees can call the hotline in any regional emergency, such as a hurricane, for a recorded message on the work status of the campus.
In case of a Florida campus emergency, call "911." Dialing 911 from a TSRI phone automatically connects the caller to Scripps Florida Security desk in Building B reception. Security will obtain the critical information and immediately contact the TSRI Emergency Response Team and the Palm Beach County emergency center, which will dispatch the appropriate team from Jupiter Police, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and/or EMS to the Florida campus.

At the Auditorium: Toot Suite Musical Education and Spring Jazz

Coming to the Auditorium at TSRI: Timson’s Toot Suite for Musical Education, a student competition and concert scheduled for Saturday, March 15, from 2 to 5 PM. The Jazz Quartet, Allison Adams Tucker, The Saxations, Pitch Michael, Gilbert Castellanos, Calvin Price and Les Kepics will perform. Proceeds will benefit local school music programs. For ticket and event information, contact Michael Timson at (858) 863-3370 or honkinsince72@cox.net.

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the first of three Spring Jazz concerts at TSRI on Sunday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature Grammy-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker and the Brad Mehldau Trio, including drummer Peter Erskine, pianist Alan Pasqua and bassist Darek Oles. Ticket and additional information is available on the Athenaeum website.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

boger
Professor Dale Boger has been selected to receive the 2014 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research.

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