Daily Business Report-Nov. 20, 2017
The mission of the Institute for Practical Ethics is to develop and promote cross-disciplinary research on ethical issues facing the public. (Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications)
UC San Diego Launches Institute
to Address Ethics of Today’s Innovations
By Judy Piercey | UC San Diego News Center
To help close the gap between the pace of innovation and society’s ability to deal with these advances responsibly, the University of California San Diego—one of the world’s greatest producers of technology, medical innovations and scientific knowledge — has launched the Institute for Practical Ethics. Campus donors Joel and Ann Reed have committed to providing annual gifts to support the institute in the near term, and to create a $1 million endowment for permanent support in the future. The gifts will be included in the Campaign for UC San Diego.
Hosted in the Division of Arts and Humanities, the mission of the Institute for Practical Ethics is to develop and promote cross-disciplinary research on ethical issues facing the public, with special emphasis on fostering deliberation amongst ethicists, scientists and policymakers.
This initiative is of special interest to the Reeds. “As UC San Diego and other institutions move rapidly forward in medical, scientific and technological innovation, important ethical questions emerge,” said Ann Reed. “It is critical that scientists and humanists move forward together. Ethical questions should be investigated, and practical applications created as humans advance, so that the advancement will be ethical.”
In its inaugural year, the institute will lead engagement in the ethics and social impact of cutting-edge science, leveraging UC San Diego’s strengths in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. First up: researching the social implications of “active genetics,” in collaboration with the newly established Tata Institute for Genetics and Society.
“The Institute for Practical Ethics is not devoted to dictating outcomes; it is devoted to conversations about informed choice,” explained Arts and Humanities Dean Cristina Della Coletta. “How do we make the choices we make? What are the consequences of some of the actions we take? What are the outcomes, either intended or unintended, that come out of amazing scientific and technological discoveries? These are some of the interesting and challenging conversations that the Institute for Practical Ethics hopes to address in the years to come.”
The Institute for Practical Ethics is devoted to developing socially responsible science. UC San Diego faculty members Craig Callender, a philosopher, and John Evans, a sociologist, are the inaugural co-directors of the institute. Callender has written extensively in the philosophy of science and has taught environmental ethics for more than 20 years. Evans focuses his research on how bioethical decisions are made, and the public’s views of medical and scientific innovation, particularly concerning human genetics.
The institute will host speakers, convene interdisciplinary research groups and create publicly available analysis of cutting edge ethical issues. Until the endowed gift is funded, the Reeds will make annual gifts each year to support some of the envisioned programs.
The Reeds have given to a variety of programs at UC San Diego over the years, including the endowment of a faculty chair in the Department of Music as well as supporting the Jacobs Medical Center, UC San Diego Student Foundation and the Stuart Collection, among other areas.
Why do they give? Ann Reed explains, “UC San Diego is a remarkable place, recognized globally as one of the world’s foremost institutions in numerous areas of scientific inquiry, development of technologies and creation of contemporary music. We believe it is hard to find better value for one’s philanthropic dollars.”
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Qualcomm Co-founder Donates
$30M to UCSD Jacobs School
UC San Diego alumnus and Qualcomm co-founder Franklin Antonio is giving UC San Diego $30 million to expand the Jacobs School of Engineering. The donation will help underwrite a $180 million research complex at the engineering school, whose nearly 9,000 students make it among the largest engineering programs on the West Coast. This marks the second largest donation ever made by one of the university’s alumni.
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County Jobless Rate Drops
to 3.7 Percent in October
Non-farm employment up 13,800 over the month
and 16,600 over the year.
San Diego County’s unemployment rate for October dropped to 3.7 percent, down from 4.1 percent in September and below the year-ago rate of 4.7 percent, the state Employment Development Department reported.
California’s jobless rate for the same period was 4.3 percent, the nation’s 3.9 percent.
Between September and October, total nonfarm employment increased from 1,443,600 to 1,457,400, a gain of 13,800 jobs. Agricultural employment decreased by 500, from 9,400 to 8,900 jobs.
- Government recorded the largest growth in employment, adding 7,100 jobs. Most of this increase came from seasonal gains in state government educational services (up 3,200 jobs) and local government educational services (up 3,600).
- Employment also increased in professional and business services (up 3,200), educational and health services (up 2,800), and trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1,200). Financial activities, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality also added jobs over the month.
- Employment decreased the most in other services, losing 1,000 jobs. Construction also saw a decrease in jobs (down 500).
Between October 2016 and October 2017, total nonfarm employment grew by 16,600 jobs or 1.2 percent. Agricultural employment did not change.
- The largest employment gain over the year occurred in educational and health services, posting an increase of 4,300 jobs. This increase came entirely from health care and social assistance (up 4,800).
- Other industry sectors recording year-over gains included other services (up 3,300), government (up 2,900), leisure and hospitality (up 2,900), financial activities (up 2,400), professional and business services (up 2,100), and construction (up 1,800).
- Trade, transportation, and utilities reported the largest decline in employment over the year, decreasing by 3,000 jobs. This loss was driven largely by contraction in retail trade (down 1,800).
- Employment in manufacturing, and mining and logging remained unchanged.
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Cubic Secures $185M London Public
Transport Agency Support Extension
ExecutiveBiz
Cubic’s transportation systems business has received a three-year, $185 million contract from London’s public transport agency to continue support services for the Oyster fare payment and contactless ticketing system.
Transport for London extended the work of Cubic Transportation Systems as the agency’s revenue collection service provider through 2025 under the agreement, the company said.
CTS will also help TfL expand the city’s Hopper Fare program that aims to offer unlimited bus and tram trips within an hour, introduce a weekly cap on Oyster passenger cards to align with the contactless ticketing process and extend the pay-as-you-go system to the Elizabeth railway line.
Additionally, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded CTS a potential $554 million contract tto update a system the agency uses to electronically collect public transport fares from New York City commuters.
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Gary and Mary West Named
Outstanding Philanthropists
West Health founders Gary and Mary West were named “Outstanding Philanthropists” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals San Diego chapter. For more than 10 years, this power couple has granted more than $185 million, through the Gary and Mary West Foundation, allowing seniors to age with dignity, quality of life and independence.
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Carrier Johnson + CULTURE
Named Among Top Architecture Firms
San Diego-based Carrier Johnson + CULTURE has been ranked the 14th best firm in business by Architect Magazine. Some of its notable, local works include PLNU’s science center, 7th and Market.
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Brian Marvel Elected President of Peace
Officers Research Association of California
Brian Marvel, president of the San Diego Police Officers Association, was elected the new president of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC), a statewide advocate for law enforcement rank-and-file members.
“I am honored by the trust that PORAC members have placed in me, and I look forward to working hard on their behalf,” said Marvel. “Law enforcement faces a number of challenges, and I look forward to serving as an advocate for more than 70,000 members of PORAC.”
(PORAC) was incorporated in 1953 as a professional federation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. PORAC represents over 70,000 public safety members and over 930 associations, making it the largest law enforcement organization in California and the largest statewide association in the nation.
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Personnel Announcements
Stefanie Warren Reappointed to
Regional Water Quality Control Board
Stefanie Warren, 39, of San Diego, has been reappointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board by Gov. Jerry Brown. She has served since 2013. Warren has been an attorney at Dentons since 2006. She was a law clerk for the Honorable Irma E. Gonzalez at the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California from 2005 to 2006. Warren earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Emory University School of Law. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Warren is a Democrat.
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Jay Jadeja Joins BNBuilders
Jay Jadeja has joined BNBuilders’ San Diego operations as a senior project manager. Jadeja has nearly 25 years of commercial construction experience, having worked for Align Builders and DPR Construction prior to joining BNBuilders. He has previously managed projects for numerous life science and health care clients including Illumina, Scripps, Pfizer, and UC San Diego. At BNBuilders, he will primarily be supporting the firm’s work with life science companies.
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Hughes Marino Unveils New
Offices in Downtown Seattle
Hughes Marino has unveiled the design of its latest office in downtown Seattle, which opened in July. The San Diego-based company is one of many companies recently expanding to the Seattle market, as it has rapidly become the fastest growing city in the country.
The commercial real estate firm set out to make a stunning first impression on Seattle’s bustling business world, first with a workspace that would inspire their team and clients and continue to instill their national and local recognition as the No. 7 Best Workplace in the nation and No. 4 Best Workplace in Southern California (Fortune), the No. 2 Top Company Culture in the nation (Entrepreneur) and the No. 1 Best Place to Work by the Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego Business Journals.
Located on the 25th story of the Russell Investments Center, Hughes Marino’s Seattle office offers stunning views, from the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Rainier to the Olympic Mountains, to panoramic sights of the Puget Sound and the energetic Seattle waterfront below.
President & COO Shay Hughes and Chairman and CEO Jason Hughes wanted to retain the family-oriented, home-like atmosphere that has become synonymous with the Hughes Marino brand, while also reflecting the hip persona of Seattle. “We craft all of our offices with amenities and signature residential design elements that invoke an engaging, stimulating and collaborative environment where our team feels right at home. We have a very familial culture, so ensuring our offices feel like a home away from home for our amazing teammates, clients and the communities we serve is one of our highest priorities,” says Shay Hughes.
