Daily Business Report-April 2, 2021
The Compact Advanced Tokamak (CAT) concept. (Courtesy of General Atomics)
U.S. researchers design compact fusion power plant
New concept delivers continuous electricity with approach that reduces cost and risk
Fusion energy is heating up. In the past few months, both the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released reports calling for aggressive development of fusion energy in the U.S.
Now, scientists at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, operated by San Diego’ General Atomics for the Department of Energy, have released a new design for a compact fusion reactor that can generate electricity and help define the technology necessary for commercial fusion power. The approach is based on the “Advanced Tokamak” concept pioneered by the DIII-D program, which enables a higher-performance, self-sustaining configuration that holds energy more efficiently than in typical pulsed configurations, allowing it to be built at a reduced scale and cost.
The comprehensive final report released by FESAC in late February lays out a strategic plan for fusion energy in the U.S. over the next decade. The NASEM report calls for bold action to place fusion power on the grid in the 2035–2040 time frame. A key recommendation of both reports is developing the science and engineering basis for a low-capital-cost fusion pilot plant that will lay the groundwork for commercial fusion reactors.
New scholarship to reduce barrier for most promising medical students
Philanthropist gifts $1.1 million to UC San Diego
With a gift of $1.1 million, philanthropist Ann Bedell Hunt has established The Bedell Family Endowed Medical Scholarship at University of California San Diego School of Medicine in memory of her father, Omar Jaspering, and in honor of Dr. Simerjot K. Jassal, a primary care physician at VA San Diego Healthcare System and director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
This scholarship is intended to help ensure that the cost of attendance does not prevent the most promising and deserving medical students from choosing UC San Diego School of Medicine.
“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to recognize Dr. Jassal, who provided excellent care to my father, Omar Jaspering, for many years before his death at age 102,” Hunt said, “as well as open more doors for would-be doctors, no matter their backgrounds, who might not otherwise get the opportunity to attend medical school.” Hunt is based in Tucson, Ariz.
Rancho Bernardo office building Promontory sells for $33 million
Promontory, a Class A multi-tenant office building in Rancho Bernardo, has been purchased for $33 million by a Limited Partnership controlled by the principals of Newport Beach-based real estate firm Peregrine Realty Partners. The seller was Carleton Management, a local real estate development firm.
The 98,249 square-foot, three-story office property, which has an atrium-design, was originally constructed by the sellers in 1989. Promontory include a fitness center along with showers and lockers, common area conference rooms and numerous outdoor seating areas. It is located at 11440 West Bernardo Court.
CBRE’s Louay Alsadek, Hunter Rowe and Maddie Mawby represented the buyer in the transaction. The seller was represented by Randy LaChance of Voit Real Estate Services who was assisted by Chris Williams of CBRE.
Peter MacLaggan leaves a liquid legacy at Poseidon Water
Every time someone turns on the tap in San Diego County, out flows the work of Peter MacLaggan. MacLaggan was the point man in the construction of the Carlsbad desalination plant, a nearly $1 billion public-private partnership that since 2015 has supplied nearly 10 percent of the potable water consumed in the county. Desalination relies on the virtually unlimited supply of water in the Pacific Ocean. It provides a safe, reliable source of local water in a region that for many years relied on supplies from hundreds of miles away and was subject to mechanical breakdowns, seasonal shortages and the whims of nature.
MacLaggan, 65, retired on March 31 after 20 years at the private company Poseidon Water and nearly 40 years in the water industry.
Emily Kochert named conservation manager for San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
Emily Kochert has joined the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy as conservation manager. Kochert will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of conservation programs. She will lead habitat-restoration projects and take an active role in SDRVC’s efforts to address climate-change issues and improve water quality in the San Dieguito River watershed.
Kochert has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Florida and is in the process of earning a Masters of Natural Resources from Utah State University. She has a multi-disciplinary background including 20 years’ experience in natural and cultural resource management, environmental compliance, and Geographic Information Systems both in the public and private sectors.
“Emily will be a valuable member of Team SDRVC. She knows how important ongoing habitat restoration, holistic watershed management, and public education are to our mission,” said Executive Director Trish Boaz.
understand dysfunctional social behavior
What’s the difference between a giggle and a belly laugh? Or a yelp and an all-out scream? In many species, including humans, the volume and duration of a verbal sound conveys as much information as the noise itself.
A group of scientists discovered a node in the brains of male mice that modulates the sounds they make in social situations. This discovery, published in Nature, could help identify similar locations in the human brain, and potentially lead to a better understanding of social disorders such as autism or depression.
“Identifying this node gives us signatures of what to look for when human behavior goes awry,” says Lisa Stowers, PhD, a neuroscientist and professor at Scripps Research who led the study. “It’s giving us clues to how information is organized in the brain, and how different features of information can be separated out in different brain regions.”
Accion San Diego rebrands as Accessity
With a 27-year history in San Diego, nonprofit Accion San Diego announced its new brand identity, logo, and website. Now known as Accessity, the small business lender’s new name intentionally combines the word access and -ity from the word community to affirm its commitment to serving low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs of color, and female-owned businesses with access to affordable small business loans and a community of support and resources.
“With the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses, particularly entrepreneurs of color, immigrants, and female entrepreneurs, we knew we were being called to make a greater impact in our local communities,” said Accessity CEO Elizabeth Schott. “This rebrand allows us to expand our program offerings as businesses continue to recover and pivot to new opportunities.”
Approximately 80 percent of Accessity’s portfolio consists of businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color or women located in its service area of San Diego and adjacent counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, according to Schott.
Several SDSU programs named among best graduate schools rankings
San Diego State University’s part-time MBA program maintained a five-year climb in annual graduate-school rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
The No. 53 ranking for the part-time MBA program in the Fowler School of Business, in the publication’s 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings released March 30, was up from No. 55 last year and No. 136 four years ago.
Several other rankings are as follows:
• The College of Education was ranked No. 55.
• The College of Engineering ranked No. 56 in the publication’s list of aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical programs.
• The graduate program in public affairs ranked No. 73.
• The School of Nursing ranked No. 74.
The graduate programs in SDSU’s School of Public Health were also ranked, at No. 31.
Cal State San Marcos MPH accredited by national body
The Master of Public Health program at Cal State San Marcos has achieved accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs.
The CEPH acted to accredit the MPH program at its meeting on March 7-8. The accreditation term is for five years, extending to July 1, 2026. The program’s initial accreditation date was recorded as Oct. 7, 2017.
“Our goal is to best serve our students, so we are thrilled to have received accreditation by CEPH and with very positive feedback,” said Christina Holub, the interim director of CSUSM’s MPH program. “Especially in these extraordinary times, during a pandemic and with a continual need to address social justice and health inequities, being able to provide quality public health training is crucial in preparing competent and culturally intelligent public health professionals.”
UC San Diego Engineering receives high ranking
For the second year in a row, the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering has ranked #9 in the nation in the influential U.S. News & World Report Rankings of Best Engineering Schools.
This #9 ranking is up from #11 two years ago, #12 three years ago, #13 four years ago, and #17 five years ago.
