To the Sanford-Burnham Community The following pages illustrate the attributes within the Sanford-Burnham community that empower our purpose. The language reflects the views of scientists, administrators and staff at our campuses in California and Florida. It represents people who have been at the Institute more than 25 years and others whose careers with us have just begun.
One Common Understanding
Understanding our identity as a community comes from defining what attributes describe us and how these attributes influence our ability to collaborate, innovate and discover. It helps to crystallize the overall vision of the organization. There is power in understanding our strengths. Through this power we will continue to improve human health – only faster and with far greater impact. John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Professor and Donald Bren Chief Executive Chair
Our mantra remains From Research, the Power to Cure.
At Sanford-Burnham, we share a passion for medical research and a drive to improve human health. Our entrepreneurial spirit fuels scientific discoveries that become tomorrow’s cures. We are built on a culture of collaboration, where curiosity unites different disciplines and focuses our collective expertise to ensure that we are at the forefront of biomedical science. We are dedicated to uncovering the origins of disease and launching bold new strategies for achieving cures. We start at the root of the problem – identifying the causes of disease – then use that knowledge to create innovative strategies for combating disease, and ultimately translating our discoveries into breakthrough new therapies that save lives. We are passionate about innovation and are always looking for new ways to accelerate the pace of life-saving discoveries. From our research, renewed hope for those suffering from disease is born.
Our DNA Sanford-Burnham doesn’t just study DNA – we have our own DNA. It encompasses our fundamental strengths: We strive to conduct the Highest Impact Science. We are Driven to Innovate. We foster and encourage a Collaborative Culture. Our discovery research is a Catalyst for Cures.
Highest Impact Science It is our vision that progress toward cures starts with a deep commitment to outstanding science, fueled by curiosity and creativity and driven by passion and unwavering dedication. The unique structure of the Institute fosters innovation, encourages entrepreneurship and enables our scientists to make breakthrough discoveries that drive progress. Our work is of the highest quality and highest impact in the world of biomedical science.
Driven to Innovate Innovation is at the heart of what we do at SanfordBurnham. Our creativity – coupled with a nimble, nonbureaucratic organizational structure – allows us to charge forward rapidly. We are not afraid to assume the risks necessary to realize the rewards of establishing leadership in promising new areas of medical research. We are constantly searching for new ways to achieve results.
Collaborative Culture Collaboration is the key to our success and the cornerstone of our culture. We specialize in building collaborative teams of experts with complementary skills that deliver superior results. Our approach to medical research is designed to leverage the power of collaboration, both internally and externally. We extend our collaborative spirit beyond the Institute and enjoy the benefits of working with scientific colleagues around the world.
Catalyst for Cures Our groundbreaking medical research is the foundation upon which cures are based. We are committed to increasing the speed and efficiency with which our laboratory discoveries are translated into clinical benefits for those suffering from disease. We understand the urgency of our mission, where lives are at stake and where time is often short for those in need.
Our Personality Sanford-Burnham has a distinct personality and our actions are infused with innate traits: We are Innovative, Dynamic, Collaborative, Focused and Inspired. These are the sparks that set us apart.
We are Innovative Sanford-Burnham scientists are free to pursue discoveries wherever insights lead. We attract researchers who are creative, daring and dedicated to working together on the biggest challenges in medicine. We embrace technology as a means of accelerating progress. Our top rankings in publications and patents are indicators of the success of our innovative culture.
We are Dynamic There is an energy at SanfordBurnham that inspires people to explore the unknown and dare to challenge conventional approaches. We strive to transform the
way medical research is conducted, overcoming barriers and creating exciting opportunities for progress. We are always looking for new ideas, new partners and new ways of doing groundbreaking research.
We are Collaborative We understand the power of teamwork. We recognize that finding solutions to the world’s most daunting medical challenges demands a collaborative approach that brings together talent and resources to overcome obstacles and achieve results. We leverage the benefits of collaborating with scientific experts around the world to advance our discoveries more efficiently and more effectively.
We are Focused We are stimulated by discovery and the opportunity to use our scientific breakthroughs to improve human health. We focus on providing an environment free of distractions, where science moves forward rapidly to deliver breakthroughs with the potential to save lives.
We are Inspired We understand that lives are at stake, giving urgency to our work. Our research gives hope to those suffering from disease. Creative, resourceful, persistent, inspired... we are committed to seeking cures. Sanford-Burnham has established partnerships with other leading health care and research organizations to drive discovery and to translate our laboratory-based discoveries to the clinic.
From Research, the Power to Cure We are committed to translating discoveries into therapies and cures.
Sanford-Burnham has invested extensively in advanced technology platforms to empower our scientists to take their ideas to new heights. These resources are shared by all of our laboratories so that everyone has access to the cutting-edge technologies that propel scientific inquiry towards the clinic and ultimately to patients. Making breakthrough discoveries in the laboratory is Sanford-Burnham’s greatest strength. This is highlighted by our #1 ranking worldwide among all organizations for our research publications (citations achieved per publication) in the fields of biology and biochemistry for the last decade.
Translating these discoveries into clinical benefit is what really matters for patients and it is what we mean by “From Research, the Power to Cure.” We conservatively estimate that diagnostics and therapeutics based on Sanford-Burnham technologies currently save or significantly extend the lives of more than one million people annually in the United States alone. Through an expanded commitment to translational research we seek to increase that impact to 10 million lives annually. We have built the infrastructure over the last decade to make this goal a reality. We have invested in new technologies and diversified our workforce to assemble teams with the full range of skills necessary to take on this challenge. We have attracted – and work to retain – the best scientific talent. We have established the partnerships key to advancing our mission. With the talent and dedication of the Sanford-Burnham community, we will meet this challenge.
La Jolla, California I Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida I Santa Barbara, California
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