In Brief

Juan de la Torres, Marta Perego Elected Fellows of Academy of Microbiology

Professor Juan Carlos de la Torre and Associate Professor Marta Perego of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, a distinction recognizing excellence, originality and leadership in the microbiological sciences.

Research in the de la Torre lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms and biology of viruses, particularly the Borna disease and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses, and their impact on the central nervous system to explore new therapeutic approaches to combat such infections. For more information, see de la Torre’s faculty page and laboratory website.

Perego and her lab team study signal transduction systems in bacterial development and pathogenesis to understand the signaling and regulatory networks responsible for the pathogenicity of disease-causing bacteria and to identify novel targets for the discovery of new types of antibacterial agents. For additional information, see Perego’s faculty page and laboratory website.

The American Academy of Microbiology is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the world's oldest and largest life science organization. The group’s mission is to recognize scientists for outstanding contributions to microbiology and provide microbiological expertise in the service of science and the public. Fellows represent all subspecialties of microbiology, including basic and applied research, teaching, public health, industry and government service.

Fellows of the Academy are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology. A Committee on Elections, consisting of fellows of the Academy elected by the membership, reviews nominations and makes recommendations on fellowship awards to the Board of Governors.

Perego and de la Torre will be honored at the Academy Fellowship Luncheon and Meeting in June during the 115^th ASM General Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.

IMS, Infectious Disease Departments Merge

TSRI’s Department of Immunology and Microbial Sciences (IMS) at Scripps California and Department of Infectious Disease at Scripps Florida are merging.

“I look forward to great things for the combined department,” said Acting President and CEO Jim Paulson. “The new structure is also another step in strengthening the ties between our two campuses.”

The new bicoastal Department of Immunology and Microbial Sciences (IMS) will be led by Professor Dennis Burton as chair, Professor Ari Theofilopoulos as California vice-chair and Michael Farzan as Florida vice-chair. The changes become effective March 1.

Mark Mayford to Speak at March 11 Faculty Lecture Series

TSRI Professor Mark Mayford will be featured in the next Faculty Lecture Series presentation to be held Wednesday, March 11, 5 PM in the Timkin Amphitheater in the Green Hospital in La Jolla, California. Mayford’s lecture is titled “Genetic Manipulation of Memory Circuits.” The Mayford lab studies the molecular basis of cognitive function and dysfunction. Following the lecture, a reception will be held in the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Building, first floor. For further information, see the Faculty Lecture Series webpage. The series is supported by an endowment from the Cochrane-Cartan families, established by TSRI Professor Emeritus Charles G. Cochrane.

Scripps Florida SRF Faculty Seminar to Feature Laura Bohn

Laura Bohn, professor in the TSRI Departments of Molecular Therapeutics and Neuroscience, is the featured speaker at the next Scripps Florida Society of Research Fellows (SF-SRF) Faculty Seminar, on Friday, March 13, at 4 PM.

The Bohn lab studies G protein-coupled receptors, specifically those that mediate neurological function, to ultimately develop new approaches in treating pain, addiction and mood disorders.

The lecture will be held in the Fink Auditorium on the Jupiter campus. Additional information on SF-SRF activities and resources can be found on the SF-SRF website.

CA NWiS Coffee Hour to Explore Bias

The Scripps California Network for Women in Science (NWiS) will explore the nature of implicit biases at its next Coffee Hour, scheduled for Monday, March 9, from 3 to 4 PM. The discussion will use materials from Project Implicit, a nonprofit organization and international research collaboration studying implicit social cognition.

The event, to be held in the Faculty Club Tennis Room, is open to all on the California campus; light refreshments will be provided.

In other NWiS activities, the group is helping the San Diego chapter of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) recruit volunteers to judge science fair projects submitted by middle- and high-school girls at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, to be held Wednesday, March 25, at the Balboa Park Activity Center. Judges will be invited to an awards dinner in April to honor the best projects selected by AWIS volunteers.

More information about the science fair and volunteer registration is available on the AWIS website.

Lunch & Learn: Developing Inner Strengths

The next Lunch & Learn presentation, “Inner Strengths: Eliciting and Developing Strength-Based Practices,” will be led by Jim Carter, PhD, a clinical psychologist and diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, on Wednesday, March 4, at noon.

Carter will demonstrate practical applications of psychological approaches that draw on personal strengths to overcome obstacles in life. Attendees will learn how to identify inner strengths, increase motivation and build emotional resilience.

The event, sponsored by TSRI Counseling and Psychological Services, will be held in the Beckman building’s Keck Amphitheater on the Scripps California campus. For additional information on the series and other counseling and psychological services, visit the department’s website.

CA ScrippsAssists Volunteers to Support ElderHelp Fundraiser

California ScrippsAssists invites faculty, students and staff—and family and friends—to help staff the upcoming ElderHelp Essence of Life Awards Recognition Social and Charity Auction, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at the Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma.

Volunteers will assist with check-in, auction-table monitoring, live auction activities and check-out. Hours are 1 PM to 5:30 PM; dress is business casual. Light refreshments will be served.

The nonprofit ElderHelp provides “aging in place” services to seniors to help them remain independent and living with dignity in their own homes. The organization’s Essence of Life awards recognize outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that have contributed significantly to ElderHelp in serving the Greater San Diego community.

Interested volunteers can contact ScrippsAssists project lead Jessica Sheu-Gruttadauria at jgruttad@scripps.edu. For more information about organization or to purchase event tickets, visit the ElderHelp website.

At the Auditorium: Schuloff and Chausson

Mainly Mozart will present a concert on Friday, March 7, 7:30 PM, featuring violinist Nadja Salerno and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott with the Miami String Quartet. They will perform Schuloff’s “Five Pieces for String Quartet,” and Chausson’s “Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet in D Major.” A reception will be held at 6:30 PM. Visit the Mainly Mozart website for program and ticket information. The Auditorium at TSRI is located on the institute’s Hazen campus, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego 92121.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

delatorre
perego
Juan Carlos de la Torre and Marta Perego have been elected fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology.

Dixon Lecture Builds on TSRI Excellence in Immunology
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2015 TSRI Dixon Lecturer Max Cooper (right, shown here with TSRI Professor Michael Oldstone) began his talk on the evolution of lymphocytes by recalling Frank Dixon’s “very strong influence” on the field of immunology and his “ability to cut through the fluff to the central issue.”

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