Daily Business Report: June 22, 2023
Sanford Burnham Prebys graduate student
selected for Women in Science scholarship
By Miles Martin
Katya Marchetti, a first-year Ph.D. student in the lab of Karen Ocorr at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, was recently awarded an Association for Women in Science (AWIS) scholarship. This competitive award encourages outstanding women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at San Diego colleges and universities.
“Receiving this recognition highlights the importance of advocating for women’s empowerment in STEM and fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific community,” says Marchetti.
Marchetti grew up in Bakersfield California and finished her undergraduate degree from UC San Diego in just three years. Last year, she enrolled as a graduate student at 21 years old, making her one of the youngest Ph.D. students to ever join the Institute. For her, the AWIS award is a culmination of a lifelong enthusiasm for science, inspired and encouraged by her family.
Qualcomm cuts 415 jobs
at San Diego headquarters
Qualcomm chopped 415 jobs from its San Diego headquarters last month as the mobile chip firm seeks to reduce expenses amid a lingering slowdown in smartphone sales.
The San Diego-based wireless technology provider filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) paperwork with the state of California and local employment officials giving notice of the layoffs, which take effect in mid-July.
In addition to reducing its San Diego headcount, Qualcomm let go of 84 workers in the Bay Area.
Illumina hands off Accelerator
program to Illumina Ventures
By GenomeWeb
Illumina Ventures said on Tuesday that it will be assuming control of the Illumina Accelerator program and rebranding it as Illumina Ventures Labs. “Building on the foundation of the Illumina Accelerator program, Illumina Ventures Labs will operate and provide access to fully equipped genomics labs in the U.S. and the UK, mentorship, and seed financing to attract a broad range of genomics related startups,” Illumina Ventures said in a statement.
Illumina will provide the startups with technical guidance and provide access to next-generation sequencing technology. Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Inmarsat’s OneFi passenger engagement
platform crowned ‘One to Watch”
Inmarsat, recently acquired by Viasat, has added yet another award win to its shelf, with its OneFi passenger engagement platform recognised by the Onboard Hospitality Awards as an innovation that’s “One to Watch” within the aviation industry.
At the awards ceremony, held in Hamburg at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), the judges commended OneFi for helping airlines to harness the full potential of inflight connectivity — extending its value beyond simply offering passengers onboard Wi-Fi packages.
In providing airline branding, a targeting engine, media players, and ancillary integration, the platform enables a custom passenger experience with a range of inflight services and content features, while simultaneously driving monetisation through targeted content, digital commerce, and advertising and sales lead generation.
Italian Air Force begins training at
General Atomics North Dakota site
On June 12, 2023, the Italian Air Force began training its first cohort of pilots and sensor operators to fly its new MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft System at the Flight Test & Training Center in Grand Forks, N.D., which is owned and operated by San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. When General Atomics delivers the first MQ-9A Block 5 to the Italian Air Force, it will be the first of several Block 5 deliveries being made to the Italian Air Force as they expand their fleet.
Northrop Grumman delivers fourth Triton
to Navy for initial operational capability
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the fourth multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton to the U.S. Navy ahead of initial operational capability this year. The delivery completes the set of aircraft for Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19’s establishment of the first operational orbit, while a second orbit is preparing for delivery this summer. With three orbits planned around the globe, the Triton multi-intelligence uncrewed aircraft will provide 24/7 unprecedented maritime awareness.
Is housing a human right?
California voters could decide
By Marisa Kendall | CalMatters
Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and…housing?
California lawmakers are trying to enshrine the right to housing in the state’s constitution. But what exactly does that mean in a state that lacks the resources to give everyone a roof over their heads?
Supporters say the constitutional amendment would hold state and local officials more accountable for solving California’s homelessness crisis.
“It’s really a way to make sure elected officials and the government does its job and doesn’t continue to fail so miserably in ensuring access to housing for all,” said the author of Assembly Constitutional Amendment 10, San Francisco Democrat Matt Haney.
But the language of the measure is brief and vague, and doesn’t specify what a right to housing entails or how it would be enforced. Some critics worry the amendment wouldn’t do much. Others fear it would do too much — with unintended consequences.
Lindsay David joins Procopio’s
Labor and Employment Law practice
SAN DIEGO — Procopio’s Labor and Employment Law practice has added a new partner, Lindsay David, a seasoned litigator who focuses on wage and hour class action litigation, collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and representative wage and hour litigation under the Private Attorneys General Act.
She is based in Procopio’s Del Mar Heights office.
David is an award-winning attorney, having been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star since 2020 in multiple categories, namely Class Action/Mass Torts: Defense, Employment Litigation: Defense, and Employment & Labor: Employer.
The Inner Circle names Lagina Scott
as a Distinguished Healthcare Professional
SAN DIEGO — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Lagina R. Scott, M.D., is acknowledged as a Distinguished Healthcare Professional for her contributions as a family physician.
Scott pursued a medical degree from the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and completed an internship and residency in family medicine at the Family Health Centers of San Diego.
Scott has served more than three years as a family physician with San Ysidro Health/Care View Clinic, and also works on staff at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
Biocept names Antonino Morales as
president and chief executive officer
SAN DIEGO — Biocept Inc., a leading provider of molecular diagnostic assays, products and services, has named Antonino Morales as president and chief executive officer.
Morales has served as Biocept’s interim CFO since February 2022 and as a director of the company since July 2021. Robert Walsh, the company’s controller, has been promoted to vice president and controller and will serve as the company’s principal accounting officer.
These changes follow the resignation of Samuel D. Riccitelli as interim president and CEO Officer, and director.
More than 46,000 helped by
Love Your Heart in February
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County released its 2023 Love Your Heart Report Tuesday, showing that the annual February public health campaign gave more than 46,000 people free blood pressure checks and saved 646 people from imminent medical emergencies like strokes or heart attacks. In February, the county and hundreds of partners gave 46,365 people at 368 sites across San Diego County and Mexico free blood pressure screenings, the report stated. Those screenings showed 646 people that their blood pressures had reached “crisis levels,” giving them the opportunity to seek immediate medical help.
$1.4 million grant goes to SDCCE
and nonprofit Promise2Kids
SAN DIEGO — Programs supporting former foster youth trying to stay on their feet as they transition to adulthood are receiving a significant boost thanks to a $1.4 million grant to the San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) and nonprofit Promises2Kids that will be celebrated during a June 23 check presentation. The $1.4 million was directed to SDCCE and Promises2Kids through California State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego. The check presentation is at 9 a.m. at the SDCCE’s Educational Cultural Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd.
Girl Scouts San Diego to hold 2023
Gold Award Ceremony on Saturday
SAN DIEGO — Girl Scouts San Diego will honor more than 50 Girl Scouts from San Diego and Imperial counties with the Gold Award—the highest achievement for Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (grades 9-12) — at the 2023 Gold Award Ceremony in Liberty Station on Saturday, 2 to 3 p.m. This year, Gold Award Girl Scouts from across the region made their mark in the areas of environmental sustainability and climate change, mental health awareness, animal conservation, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, disability inclusion and access, civic engagement, STEM, and more
Mission Bay RV Resort unveils
147 new campsites for summer
SAN DIEGO — Mission Bay RV Resort announced that reservations are now open for 147 new family-friendly campsites that will be available to the public beginning July 1, 2023. Once the site of 169 dilapidated and abandoned mobile homes, the long-anticipated project makes way for improved coastal access and affordable camping on San Diego’s coastline in the northeast corner of De Anza Cove. Estimated to cost over $8 million, Mission Bay RV Resort’s comprehensive cleanup project kicked off its final phase in February 2023, safely removing 169 mobile homes from the property after abatement of asbestos and other hazards.
Ernst & Young names Shahab Elmi
Entrepreneur of the Year
Shahab Elmi, CEO and founder of Cymbiotika, was named an Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Pacific Southwest Award winner by Ernst & Young. Elmi was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.
Aethlon Medical investigating use of
Hemopurifier in organ transplant market
SAN DIEGO — Aethlon Medical Inc., a medical therapeutic company, announced that it is investigating the use of its Hemopurifier in the organ transplant market, in addition to its ongoing studies in cancer and COVID-19. “Our objective is to confirm that the Hemopurifier, when incorporated into a machine perfusion organ preservation circuit, can remove harmful viruses and exosomes from harvested organs,” said Charles J. Fisher Jr., M.D., CEO.
Rady Children’s Hospital ranked among
10 Best Children’s Hospitals in nation
SAN DIEGO — For the first time in its history, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2023-2024 Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide. The hospital had five specialties rank among the top 10 in the nation (Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery #3; Orthopedics #6; Neonatology #7; Neurology & Neurosurgery #8; Diabetes & Endocrine Disorders #8).
