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The Promise of Regenerative Medicine STEM CELLS:
At the Heart of Regenerative Medicine Recent Events Raise Funds and Friends
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 1 | WINTER 2011
FOUNDERS
Dr. William H. and Lillian Fishman HONORARY TRUSTEES
Roberta and Malin Burnham Joe Lewis Conrad T. Prebys T. Denny Sanford TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
M. Wainwright Fishburn, Jr.
A Message from T. Denny Sanford 1 What is Regenerative Medicine? 2 Upcoming Events 4 Stem Cells: At the Heart of Regenerative Medicine 5 Talking with a Supporter: Duane Roth 6 Talking with our Scientists: Brandon Nelson and Dr. Yang Lui 7 Recent Events 8 Five Reasons to Make a Gift 12 Community Outreach 13 Partners in Science Back Cover
CHAIRMAN
John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PROFESSOR AND DONALD BREN CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHAIR
Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D. PRESIDENT PROFESSOR AND PAULINE AND STANLEY FOSTER PRESIDENTIAL CHAIR DIRECTOR, NCI-DESIGNATED CANCER CENTER
VICE PRESIDENTS, EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Elizabeth Birlet, M.A. Stephanie Boumediene, M.P.H. Edgar Gillenwaters Philip Graham, M.B.A.
Gary F. Raisl, M.B.A., Ed.D.
VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TREASURER
Elizabeth Gianini
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS
Andrea Moser, M.B.A.
Margaret M. Dunbar, J.D. SECRETARY
Lorenzo Berho Arthur Brody Shehan Dissanayake, Ph.D. Daniel J. Epstein Pauline M. Foster Alan A. Gleicher Jeanne Herberger, Ph.D. Brent Jacobs James E. Jardon II Robert J. Lauer Stuart Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. Nicolas C. Nierenberg Douglas Obenshain Peter Preuss Duane J. Roth Stuart Tanz Jan Tuttleman, Ph.D., M.B.A. Andrew J. Viterbi, Ph.D. Allen R. Weiss Gayle E. Wilson EX-OFFICIO
Todd Golub, M.D.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRMAN
PORTAL EDITOR
Kristina Meek, M.A. CONTRIBUTORS
ON THE COVER
Regenerative Medicine holds the promise of the ability to renew and replace cells and tissues of the body, providing doctors with new tools to treat patients suffereing from a variety of diseases.
www.sanfordburnham.org
Heather Buschman, Ph.D. Patricia Fuller Sam Reed Deborah Robison DESIGN
Creative Fusion
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Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
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Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Santa Barbara 2324 Life Sciences Building, University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106 • 805-453-0259
Let’s Make an Impact–
Together When I was introduced to the Institute that now bears my name—in partnership with the Burnham family—I saw a passion for discovery. If you are familiar with SanfordBurnham, you know what I mean. If you are a newcomer, let me introduce you to the most innovative group of people I have ever met. Sanford-Burnham’s scientists are focused on generating novel therapies for patients suffering from diseases for which the world currently lacks treatments, or where present therapies are woefully inadequate. Regenerative medicine, which you will learn more about in these pages, is one way that many diseases might eventually be overcome. I’m often asked how I select the charities that I support. Is it the cause, the management structure, the track record, the need, or the scope of impact? It’s all of that and more. I look for initiatives or fields that are transformational. I take a leap of faith and partner with selected non-profits to develop new methods to achieve their goals. Collaboration is at the heart of SanfordBurnham’s work. For example, the Institute is one of five world-class San Diego-based research organizations partnering to form the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. Together, these organizations will move stem cell research forward faster than they could alone. The Institute’s spirit of collaboration also extends to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Partnerships
Regenerative medicine, which you will learn more about in these pages, is one way that many diseases might eventually be overcome. leverage complementary strengths to translate discoveries in the laboratory to new therapies in the clinic. They say a rising tide lifts all ships. Join me in supporting one of the tightest-run ships I know – Sanford-Burnham – and let’s make an impact, together. Sincerely,
T. Denny Sanford www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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What is Regenerative Medicine? The human body has an amazing power to renew and heal itself. Still, as we age, our bodies are increasingly susceptible to injury and diseases, both inherited and acquired. Medical researchers are hard at work seeking ways to regenerate cells or tissues and use them to replace diseased or damaged ones. What if we could grow new insulinproducing cells that are missing in type 1 diabetics? Or what if new brain cells (neurons) could be generated to replace the cells that die in patients suffering with Parkinson’s disease?
iPSCs
Induced pluripotent stem cells
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Stem cells generated from any adult cell, such as a skin cell. They have the potential to become any type of cell in the body, with the donor’s unique genetic make-up.
PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
The term “Regenerative Medicine” might conjure science fiction-inspired visions of replacement organs grown in a lab. In reality, scientists are already harnessing the selfrenewing nature of stem cells. Regenerative medicine is alive and working right now at Sanford-Burnham. Take for example the research of Dr. Fred Levine, director of the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center at Sanford-Burnham. He and his team discovered that stem cell precursors exist in the adult pancreas, and that these stem cells can be transformed into insulin-producing beta cells—a major step toward developing new therapies for the treatment of diabetes. Adjunct assistant professor Dr. Pamela Itkin-Ansari is leading an effort to cure type 1 diabetes by implanting a porous capsule containing stem cells that differentiate (or specialize) into beta cells. Regenerative medicine and stem cell biology are also informing obesity research. Increased amounts of one kind of fat, called brown fat, help burn energy and reduce body weight. Dr. Devanjan Sikder, assistant professor in SanfordBurnham’s Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, and his team recently discovered that treating stem cells with a hormone called orexin triggers their differentiation into calorieburning brown fat cells. In our National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, Tumor Development program director Dr. Robert Wechsler-Reya and his team were the first to discover a special kind of stem cell that, when functioning normally, can develop into many different cell types in the brain. But, if this cell acquires certain mutations, it can give rise to brain cancers. His group is now trying to understand how normal proliferation and differentiation of these stem cells becomes derailed so that they can find better ways to target brain tumors. Using knowledge gained from stem cell biology, Dr. Stuart Lipton, director of the Institute’s Del
Drs. Pamela Itkin-Ansari and Fred Levine at work in the lab.
E. Webb Neuroscience, Aging, and Stem Cell Research Center, and collaborators were among the first to reprogram skin cells directly into functioning neurons, an achievement that could someday help patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Associate professor Dr. Pier Lorenzo Puri and colleagues are figuring out ways to keep the muscle stem cell pool fresh and ready to regenerate diseased muscle in patients with muscular dystrophy. By unraveling the genetic changes that tell muscle stem cells to differentiate, he and his team have already identified new molecular targets that might allow them to therapeutically boost muscle regeneration in muscular dystrophy patients. Dr. Puri has also discovered a new use for certain cancer drugs, which unexpectedly stimulate muscle cell regeneration, prompting clinical testing for children afficted with this deadly disease. All of Sanford-Burnham’s researchers benefit from the Institute’s investment in new technologies that drive the regenerative medicine field forward—which means that the public will benefit as their findings are developed into treatments and cures. To learn more about any of the research areas mentioned above, please visit our blog at http://beaker.sanfordburnham.org. www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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Upcoming UPCOMING EVENTS
February 24, 2012
Third Annual Rare Disease Symposium
Join us at Sanford-Burnham’s La Jolla campus for a day of discussion about rare diseases affecting children. This year’s event, organized by Dr. Hudson Freeze, will focus on Glycosylation-Based Disorders: Discovery, Patients, and Progress Toward Treatments. John Tyler “Rocket” Williams, who battled a deadly rare disease.
April 27, 2012
Bring It! San Diego Sanford-Burnham’s fun and fabulous “game show” returns to test your skill and raise funds for stem cell research. Details will be announced soon at www.sanfordburnhamevents.org.
Let’s Get Social
Are you one of those people still wondering what social media is, and what all the hype is about? Maybe you’ve wanted to try it out and aren’t sure where to start—start with us! We would love to chat with you.
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PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
Stem Cells:
At the Heart of Regerative Medicine A visitor on Stem Cell Awareness Day looks at cells under a microscope.
STEM CELLS:
At the Heart of Regenerative Medicine Stem cells play a key role in regenerative medicine. Various methods are being developed to manipulate embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells in order to regenerate cells lost or damaged by disease or injury. (For a greater understanding of the different types of stem cells, please visit our website.) Our scientists are seeking methods by which stem cells can someday be used to treat patients with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and more. Sanford-Burnham is a world leader in stem cell research, education, and training. Here are some of the key points in our involvement with this quickly expanding field.
1976
Sanford-Burnham is founded as the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation, with an emphasis on oncodevelopmental biology—the idea that cancer development is inextricably linked with how the body develops. These studies help lay the groundwork for the field of stem cell biology.
1990s
Sanford-Burnham establishes the Neuroscience & Aging Research Center, which eventually becomes home to the Institute’s stem cell research program.
2003
The Institute formalizes its commitment to stem cell research with the founding of the Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology Program and the Stem Cell Research Center, both led by Dr. Evan Snyder.
2005
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) selects Sanford-Burnham as an exploratory center for stem cell research and awards it $3 million to fund research, infrastructure, and training.
2006
Sanford-Burnham and three other San Diego research institutions form the San Diego Consortium for Regenerative Medicine.
2008
Philanthropist T. Denny Sanford donates $30 Million to the consortium and it is renamed the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine.
2011
Dr. Stuart Lipton, director of the Del E. Webb Neuroscience, Aging, and Stem Cell Research Center, and collaborators were among the first to reprogram skin cells directly into functioning neurons (brain cells), an achievement that could someday help patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
2004
The Institute is the first research organization to endorse California Proposition 71, which passes and establishes the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
2006
Dr. Fred Levine and colleagues show that endocrine progenitor stem cells exist in the adult pancreas, and that these stem cells can be transformed into insulin-producing cells—a major step toward developing new therapies for the treatment of diabetes.
2007
Dr. Evan Snyder and collaborators show that human stem cells are therapeutically beneficial in a mouse model of neurodegenerative disease.
2010
Dr. Robert Wechsler-Reya, the first researcher to receive a Leadership Award from CIRM, is recruited to SanfordBurnham with a $6 million grant. He and his team discovered that brain tumors arise from stem cells that turn cancerous.
2011
Sanford-Burnham’s Stem Cell Research Center opens a new facility dedicated to generating and storing collections of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from individual patients with a variety of diseases.
www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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TALKING WITH A SUPPORTER
Duane Roth:
On an Upward Trajectory “One of the things that impresses me about SanfordBurnham is the trajectory,” says Duane Roth, one of the Institute’s newest Trustees. Roth has been on an upward trajectory his whole life—from an Iowa farm to founding a biotech company, to his current post as CEO of CONNECT, which fosters San Diego’s local innovation community by aiding the formation of technology and life sciences companies. “Growing up in Iowa was my Harvard MBA. It taught me a lot—leadership, responsibility, compassion. When a farm burned down, we put it back up. You took care of things as a community. Those are lessons you don’t forget.” After launching his career at Johnson & Johnson (where he shepherded the first therapeutic monoclonal antibody through FDA approval), Roth founded Alliance Pharmaceutical. Upon relocating the company to San Diego, he started to hear about Sanford-Burnham. “I was told, ‘there’s this special place on Torrey Pines Road doing really great science.’ It was then known
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as the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation—and, while highly regarded for its science, it was not well known in the community. Then, it became the Burnham Institute, named for Malin and the Burnham family, and things started to evolve with great speed. The Institute has kept the scientific excellence, but has gained notoriety locally, nationally, and internationally, over these past 20 years.” With Roth’s encouragement, CONNECT regularly supports the Sanford-Burnham gala and Bring It! (see page 4), and Roth himself has been involved with the Institute for many years. For example, he spoke on a panel called “Discovering the Future Now,” presented last summer for members of Sanford-Burnham’s President’s Circle. Roth serves as Vice Chairman of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Regenerative medicine galvanized Roth, who says, “Time is short. The day you’re diagnosed with an illness, you spend the rest of your life trying to get back to the day before yesterday. Regenerative medicine is so absolutely compelling because it is the only approach that truly can make it ‘the day before yesterday.’ This technology has taken hold at a speed far, far beyond my expectations—there isn’t a single day that goes by without news in regenerative medicine. And Sanford-Burnham is a major player in the field.” T. Denny Sanford says, “Duane does so much for our community, and he’s got a work ethic that can move mountains. I was very pleased to hear he’d accepted our invitation to join the Board of Trustees.” Roth is excited about his recent appointment to Sanford-Burnham’s Board. “My job is to help enable the Institute’s scientists to focus on the science, and not get distracted by things that don’t matter. When I walk around campus, I see people whose life’s work is to ask ‘how can we change the course of disease for people who are suffering?’ I think they have all the tools, they have a terrific scientific team, and they have strong clinical and pharmaceutical partnerships, all of which lead to success.”
PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
TALKING WITH OUR SCIENTISTS
TALKING WITH OUR SCIENTISTS
Brandon Nelson and Yang Liu:
On Converging Paths
Around the same time a young Brandon Nelson was riding dirt bikes in a small town in Washington state, a precocious student named Yang Liu was building electric clocks in sprawling Shanghai, China. Neither imagined then how their disparate paths would bring them together, working at a research facility with the potential to change medicine. Brandon Nelson manages Sanford-Burnham’s Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC), one of the Institute’s high-tech shared resources, available to all researchers at SanfordBurnham, as well as those at other institutions. Stem cells are increasingly applicable to a wide variety of research areas, making the SCRC, and Brandon’s role, indispensable. Yang Liu, Ph.D., was recently recruited to serve as director of the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) service, a newly created division within the SCRC. The potential of iPSCs to help understand disease, screen potential medicines, and even regenerate tissues, is just coming to light. Sanford-Burnham is a leader in this area, poised to become the largest not-forprofit source of human iPSCs available. Brandon and Yang praise one another’s expertise. Brandon says, “I started the SCRC as a service-based facility, and Yang is taking it to the next level with disease modeling. He’s bringing in all the latest technologies.” “Brandon has done all of the foundation work,” adds Yang. “He has been here for three years and has set up this stem cell facility, which is very successful.” IPSCs add a new tool to the Institute’s arsenal. Researchers collect skin samples from patients with diseases and “dial back” those cells (developmentally speaking) to a stem cell state. Then, they reprogram the stem cells to become a specific cell type that they want to study in order to help the patient from whom the cells originated. Visitors to the SCRC are usually amazed by one thing above all else. They look through a microscope and watch stem cell-derived heart cells beating in unison. The potential
Brandon Nelson welcomes a group of visitors to the Stem Cell Research Center.
to take these cells into clinical use, to replace damaged tissue in patients with heart disease, is a driving force for Brandon. On joining Sanford-Burnham, Yang says, “The thing that drove me here was the vision of the Institute. [SCRC Director] Dr. Evan Snyder and [CEO] Dr. John Reed see us becoming the number one iPSC facility in the country, or perhaps the world, and I’m excited to be a part of that.” Brandon and Yang’s working relationship is a microcosm of the diversity and collaborative spirit at Sanford-Burnham. Sanford-Burnham’s employees hail from around the world, from small towns and giant cities. The Institute creates an environment where they can all feel like part of a team. At his previous company, an industry leader in developing new reagents for iPSCs, Yang says it was rare to have a chance to talk directly to leading researchers. “Now they are just next door,” he says. “I can just knock on their doors and share ideas.” That ability to converse easily is part of what will allow Sanford-Burnham and its people to make an impact on the world. The SCRC is one place where Institute staff, visitors, and our supporters can see and feel the heartbeat of collaboration.
www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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Recent How the West Was Fun
Sanford-Burnham’s 2011 gala, “Mining for a Cure,” featured all the trappings of California’s Gold Rush era—cowboys and cowgirls, saloons, honkytonk pianos, and a good old-fashioned shootout, just for fun. The Institute’s true grit inspired our very own “Wild Bunch” to contribute more than $1.7 million in support.
Gala Co-Chair Jeanne Herberger with T. Denny Sanford
Camille and David Saltman in the mining tunnel leading into the event.
Guests dance the night away under the “starlight.” California State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher with Muffy Walker and Sanford-Burnham CEO Dr. John Reed
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PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
Linda Chester and Kenneth Rind
Jan Moorad with son Christopher Moorad
Events RECENT EVENTS
Bring It! Orlando
Legions of superheroes (and their trusty sidekicks) left their mild-mannered alter egos behind to join Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona in an epic showdown against disease. The brave and the bold gathered at Hard Rock Live Orlando, calling upon their super powers to answer trivia questions and compete in hilarious challenges. Don’t forget to save the date for next year’s event, November 16, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando-Grande Lakes.
Smiles and snarls from Cat Woman and honorary event chairs Jim Jardon and Ed Baxa.
Event co-chair, and our hero, Commissioner Jennifer Thompson and husband David, cheer on their team.
Judging the final round of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em challenge, emcee Marvelous Mark declares the Sonny’s Restaurant team “Bring It! 2011 grand champion.”
Let the games begin! Event co-chair Tony Jenkins with Cat DeCecco
Shaun Chemplavil and Monique Yeager were all thumbs in the hilarious Hulk Challenge.
Universal’s Hard Rock Live was transformed into a neon metropolis at Bring It! Orlando.
www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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Recent Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Some of Sanford-Burnham’s top supporters were treated to a night in the chic Owner’s Box at PETCO Park in San Diego on September 6. Greg Lucier, former chair of SanfordBurnham’s Board of Trustees, threw out the Honorary First Pitch.
Lake Nona President’s Circle
Nearly 100 guests attended our first East Coast President’s Circle reception at Orlando’s Citrus Club on September 22. Together we celebrated 35 years of milestones, including the establishment of the Lake Nona campus. Pictured here are John Reich and his wife, Shayna Reich, Inaugural CoChair for the East Coast President’s Circle, with Institute President Dr. Kristiina Vuori.
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PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
Fishman Fund Awards
A power outage couldn’t keep friends of the Fishman Fund away from this year’s Awards ceremony on September 8. Champions of the careers of young scientists braved heavy traffic to honor this year’s outstanding winners: Drs. Gregory Aubért (bottom photo), Roberto Tinoco, Martina Pröll, Aman Mann, and Caroline Kumsta.
Events RECENT EVENTS
The Atlantic Meets the Pacific
October 17-19, Sanford-Burnham was an integral part of “The Atlantic Meets the Pacific”— three days of dialogue exploring the future of energy, health and technology, hosted by The Atlantic magazine and UC San Diego. A group attending the conference, seen here, toured the La Jolla campus.
Diabetes Salon Event
A devoted group of supporters gathered at the home of Caroline (pictured with Dr. Itkin-Ansari) and Nico Neirenberg to hear from four Sanford-Burnham researchers about the latest progress in type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research. They told the group about exciting new therapies they have invented and we hope to advance into clinical testing.
At Home with Bloomingdale’s
Supporters of Sanford-Burnham at Lake Nona in Orlando got a chance to shop in support of research at a private event at Bloomingdale’s at The Mall at Millenia. Ten percent of the night’s proceeds benefitted the Institute‘s Diabetes and Obesity Research Center.
A Hole in One
The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe (San Diego) graciously hosted past and future friends of the Institute for a day of golf. Some golfers used the Paragolfer device, designed for wheelchair-users.
www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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Five Reasons to Make a Gift to Sanford-Burnham As you look back on 2011, what are you grateful for? What are your hopes for 2012? Help us make the new year a year of advances in medical research. Here are five reasons to make a tax-deductible gift by December 31. 5. Feel good by doing good
According to “The Frontal Cortex,” a blog of Wired Magazine, giving is closely linked with brain activity. Donating to a worthy cause leads to activation in the dopamine reward pathway, causing us to feel pleasure when we give.
4. Leave a legacy
Even a modest gift can have lasting implications, but there are many ways to preserve your legacy. Contact us and learn about our many planned giving options.
3. Remember a loved one
Maybe you have lost someone to cancer, complications of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, or another disease. Why not honor that person’s memory by supporting research that moves us closer to a cure and sparing others from the same suffering your loved one experienced?
2. Catch the momentum
We have already generated three FDA–approved drugs, with many more in the pipeline and unlimited potential to discover others thanks, in part, to our Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics. As the momentum continues, we invite you along for the experience. You may be able to say you played a part in the next great discovery.
1. Create a better future
Give a gift to future generations—the gift of better health and longer life. Every therapy delivered in the clinic starts in the laboratory. Basic research forms the foundation for medical breakthroughs that lead to better health and longer lives. Sanford-Burnham is committed to translating its discoveries into real results for patients in need. To make a gift or to learn more about supporting SanfordBurnham, please email giving@sanfordburnham.org or call us toll free: 1-877-454-5702.
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PORTAL | www.sanfordburnham.org
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Opening our Doors to the Community Participating in community organizations and events gives Sanford-Burnham faculty and staff a chance to meet fascinating people, share news of the work we’re doing, and most importantly, give something back. ♦ Sanford-Burnham CEO Dr. John Reed met with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg at the FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland to discuss the FDA’s new initiatives in innovation. ♦ On October 5, we opened our La Jolla campus to the community in honor of Stem Cell Awareness Day. A number of people from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, as well as from local schools and organizations, dropped by to learn about stem cell research. ♦ On October 15, SanfordBurnham adjunct assistant professor Dr. Pamela ItkinAnsari presented her work on encapsulation devices for beta cells (more on page 2-3) at TEDxDelMar. ♦ Many members of the Sanford-Burnham community participate in fundraising walks, runs, and rides. A group in Orlando recently participated in
Dr. Yang Lui shows a visitor around on Stem Cell Awareness Day.
Run Lake Nona, which took participants through the emerging Medical City. Meanwhile, a group from the La Jolla campus participated in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk through San Diego’s Balboa Park. Dr. Robert WechslerReya spoke about his work on brain tumors at San Diego Ride for Kids, which raises money for children with these diseases. ♦ Members of LIFE@ UCF, a non-profit learning institute for seniors at the University of Central
Florida (UCF), visited the Lake Nona campus to learn about Dr. Philip Wood’s research. Dr. Wood and guest speaker Dr. Frank D. Rohter, professor emeritus at UCF, gave a presentation entitled “Effects of Aging on Skeletal Muscle and Heart with the Complications of Obesity.” ♦ Amanda Arenas, a chemistry major at the University of California, Santa Barbara with an interest in fundraising, is assisting in the External Relations department in Santa Barbara.
Board of Trustees News
Several members of Sanford-Burnham’s Board of Trustees have been in the news recently. Honorary Trustee Conrad T. Prebys received the Lifetime Achieve Award at San Diego’s 5th Annual Health Care Champions Awards. Trustee Andrew J. Viterbi, Ph.D. was awarded the International Medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, one of the Academy’s highest accolades. Honorary Trustee Malin Burnham and his family recently made a $5 million gift to create the Burnham Center for Civic Engagement, and were honored at the annual meeting of the San Diego Foundation.
www.sanfordburnham.org | PORTAL
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PARTNERS IN SCIENCE
Dr. Greg Roth and Kevin Walsh Kevin Walsh (in jacket and tie), a minority business enterprise official for the City of Orlando, is a member of SanfordBurnham’s President’s Circle. He recently made a generous pledge to support Dr. Greg Roth’s (center) research. Dr. Roth is the director of Medicinal Chemistry in the Diabetes and Obesity Research Center. Not only does Walsh appreciate Dr. Roth as a scientist, but Dr. Roth provided career advice to Walsh’s daughter. She has since taken a job in the biotech field and is very happy in her new career! Seen here are the members of Dr. Roth’s lab.