Daily Business Report — Sept. 7, 2011
UCSD Pharmacy Students Research Pain Meds
Nine doctoral pharmacy students from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UCSD are taking part in PAINWeek, the NationalConference on Pain for Frontline Practitioners being held today through Saturday in Las Vegas. The pharmacy students will present research posters on a variety of topics related to the metabolism of prescription medications commonly used in the treatment of chronic pain. Many of the students’ discoveries could lead to more personalized treatments for those suffering from chronic pain.
The UCSD student posters demonstrate significant variations in intra-patient and inter-patient metabolism of drugs such as Oxycodone (Oxycontin), Diazepam (Valium) and Carisoprodol (Soma) as well as the metabolic affects caused by drug-drug interactions. All of the findings are aimed at gathering important knowledge to better understand and treat patients with chronic pain in a culture that is experiencing high rates of prescription drug abuse and in a regulatory environment that is becoming increasingly challenged.
“These students are undertaking important science research with real-life implications,” said Amadeo J. Pesce, who mentors the nine students through a partnership between the Skaggs School and the Millennium Research Institute, a nonprofit, national research center created by Millennium Labs.
“For the first time, we are observing evidence of metabolic changes due to drug-drug interactions and varying individual metabolic rates which can have a dramatic effect on whether or not a patient’s pain is being addressed by their medication,” Pesce said.
“This research will eventually lead to the development of objective tools for physicians to help them better prescribe medications and understand why a certain therapy is or isn’t working,” said James Slattery CEO of Millennium Laborabories.
UCSD is Green and Happy
UCSD has been named one of the greenest and happiest universities in the nation, according to Newsweek. The university was named a “happy” college for its dining, nightlife, sunny days per year, student-to-teacher ratio and the average debt of student graduates. UCSD ranked 13th on the magazine’s list of the nation’s greenest universities. “UC San Diego is known for its academic prestige, community service and cutting-edge research, but what a lot of people don’t know is that we have a vibrant community offering a great student experience,” Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue said. “At UCD, students play sports, enjoy the outdoors, go to concerts and develop great friendships, all while earning a top-notch education. Additionally, students get to experience that UCSD practices what it teaches when it comes to environmental sustainability.”
SAIC Receives Army Combat Training Center Contract
Science Applications international Corp. has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation to build the Egyptian Armed Forces Combat Training Center No. 3 for the training authority of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Ministry of Defense. The contract has a three-year period of performance and a total value of more than $46 million. Work will be performed primarily in Orlando, Fla. and San Diego. SAIC previously developed and implemented the first and second training centers as well as a home station training capability for the Egyptian Armed Forces under direct commercial contracts with the government of Egypt.
Senior Community Centers Promotes Richardson
Senior Community Centers has promoted Sheona Richardson to director of annual giving and external relations. Richardson has been with Senior Community Centers since July 2006. She began her career as a development coordinator, advancing to marketing and development officer, and then to senior development officer. Richardson, a resident of San Diego, earned a bachelor of arts in political science from San Diego State University. She has also earned a certificate in fundraising management from The Fundraising School, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and a professional certificate in meeting and event planning from San Diego State University. She is a founding member of Women Give San Diego and a member of Young Non-Profit Professionals Network, San Diego chapter.
Echo Pacific Finishes Photo Lab Building
Echo Pacific Construction has completed the modernization of Photo Lab Building 570 on the Southwestern Community College campus in Chula Vista. The 50-year- old photography building is one of the last major infrastructure projects utilizing Proposition AA funding approved by voters in 2000. Three new digital classrooms were provided with the latest technology and a complete photo studio was constructed with state-of-the-art lighting. Now currently underway is the second phase of the project, the classroom and central custodian facility modernization of building 510 scheduled for completion in December.
Websense Names Interim Chief Financial Officer
Michael A. Newman has been appointed interim chief financial officer of Websense Inc. to succeed Arthur Lock III, who resigned to return to Virginia with his family for personal reasons. Newman also serves as the firm’s chief administrative officer, general counsel and corporate secretary. Newman was promoted to CAO of the company in 2010. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and a law degree from Harvard University.
Grown-ups Invited to Play at Girl Scouts Campus
San Diego companies looking for an invigorating retreat venue might consider booking a “Corporate Day in the Park” at Girl Scouts San Diego’s campus in Balboa Park. The property features an “Adventure Zone” where attendees can climb a 40-foot tower, explore a six-level tree house — complete with ladders, suspension bridges, sliding poles and climbing ropes — try their hand at archery, attempt challenge courses, engage in team-building activities, and, if desired, work on community service projects. Amenities include indoor/outdoor meeting and picnic areas, grills, fire rings, restrooms and ample parking. Catered meals are also available. The fees support Girl Scout programs such as camp (above photo), held at the Balboa Park site. Open to all girls, the sessions mix traditional camp fun with leadership development activities and other lessons … including discovering nature. (Photo: At a recent summer day camp session at the Girl Scouts’ 11-acre campus in Balboa Park, girls watch Monarch butterflies hatch from their cocoons under the Girl Scouts’ tree house.)
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of small business workshops. For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.org.
• Sept. 8 Internet Marketing 301: Increase Sales through Pay-Per-Click 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Sept. 8 Financing Your Business 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Sept. 9 Business Basics 101 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge please pre-register).
• Sept. 12 Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Sept. 13 Internet Marketing 302: Develop a Winning Email Marketing Success Strategy 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Sept. 14 Introduction to Starting Your Own Business 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Sept. 16 Women’s Networking Breakfast and Exhibits 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club in Rancho Santa Fe (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; Attendees: $30 pre-paid registration by Sep. 13, $40 thereafter; Exhibitors: $80 pre-paid registration by Sep. 13, $90 thereafter).
• Sept. 16 Managing Grants and Contracts for Nonprofits 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Point Loma (2508 Historic Decatur Rd., #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).
• Sept. 19 Business Basics 101 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; no charge please pre-register).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
