Daily Business Report — Oct. 3, 2011
Scripps Research Institute Chair Wins Nobel Prize
Bruce Beutler, chair of the Department of Genetics at The Scripps Research Institute, has won the 2011 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Beutler, who also is director of the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense at UT Southwestern Medical Center, was given the honor by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The prize carries a cash award of about $1 million. Beutler was awarded half of this year’s prize along with Jules A. Hoffmann “for their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity.” The other half goes to Ralph Steinman “for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity.” Beutler makes the fourth Nobel Laureate on the Scripps Research faculty, joining Gerald Edelman (1972 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine); K. Barry Sharpless (2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); and Kurt Wüthrich (2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry).
Beutler, who holds a bachelor’s degree from UCSD and an M.D. from the University of Chicago, has spearheaded the use of a technique called “forward genetics” to study genes used by the mammalian innate immune system to clear pathogens from the body. Beutler is credited with the identification of the key receptors that inform the body when an infection is present. The same receptors also initiate inflammation and shock when an infection becomes widespread. Together with his colleagues at Scripps Research, Beutler has continued to analyze these receptors, and has pursued a search for all proteins that protect mammals against defined infections.
Navy Region Southwest Command Change
Navy Rear Adm. William French, commander of Navy Region Southwest in San Diego, is being promoted to vice admiral and given a new assignment as commander of the Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C. He will be replaced by Rear Adm. Dixon Smith, who currently is commander of Navy Region Hawaii and commander of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, French was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program in May 1979. He earned a master’s degree from Naval Postgraduate School in 1986 and a master’s degree from the Naval War College in 1999. He was a submarine officer.
Smith received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1983, he was designated a surface warfare officer in 1985. His first sea tour was aboard USS Miller, serving as first lieutenant and damage control assistant. In March 1990, Smith assumed responsibilities as operations officer aboard USS Jarrett, participating in Operation Desert Storm providing air cover for USS Missouri and escort duties off the coast of Kuwait. As commanding officer, USS The Sullivans from July 2001 to March 2003, he deployed with the John F. Kennedy Battle Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Budget Cuts’ Effect on Women Studied
The effects of state budget cuts on women is the focus of an Oct. 5 “Day of Action” program sponsored by the San Diego State University Department of Women’s Studies. The day-long program will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in SDSU’s Scripps Cottage. Former Democratic Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña will be the keynote speaker. Saldaña is currently teaching the “Sex, Power and Politics” course in SDSU. Her lecture at 12:15 p.m. will focus on an employment market that is more global, with fewer government job opportunities, even as the need for those services is increasing among baby boomers and others. The event is open to the public. More information about the event can be found at facebook.com/dayofactionsdsu.
DeMaio Sponsors Job Creation Forums
Councilman Carl DeMaio, a candidate for mayor, will hold “Job Creation Summits” Oct. 6 and Oct. 21, forums with business leaders to focus on ways city government can reform its regulations and programs to help spur job creation and retention. The Oct. 6 forum will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Hacienda Hotel, 4041 Harney St. The Oct. 21 forum will be from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center at SDSU, 5500 Campanile Drive. To reserve, call (619) 236-6655.
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.
• Oct. 4 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).
• Oct. 5 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).
• Oct. 5 Internet Marketing 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).
• Oct. 6 Legal Issues for Small Businesses: Contracts and Leases 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• Oct. 8 Internet Marketing 201: Build Your Business through Search Engine Optimization 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Oct. 8 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).
• Oct. 12 Internet Marketing 303: Social Media for Small Businesses 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
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.
