La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology was established in
1988 by a coalition of leaders from academia and industry, including
Dr. Makoto Nonaka, the Institute's founding President, and Dr.
Kimishige Ishizaka, the Institute's first Scientific Director. These
leaders envisioned a unique and dynamic partnership between basic
science and applied research, one that would lead to breakthroughs in
the understanding of the immune system and improve human health through
the development of treatments and cures for immune system disorders.
UCSD AND THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The
La Jolla Institute was formed with strong ties to major academic and medical
centers, including the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and
The Scripps Research Institute. LIAI's first Board of Directors
included Dr. Gerard Burrow, past Dean of UCSD's School of Medicine. Dr.
Burrow developed an affiliation between LIAI and UCSD Medical Center
that provides for joint research activities, consultation and training
in the fields of allergy and immunology. Peter Preuss, LIAI's founding
Chairman, also has strong ties to UCSD and currently serves on the
University of California's Board of Regents. Dr. Frank Dixon, who was recruited to The Scripps Research Institute in 1961 and became its first director, was a founding board member of LIAI and served as Chairman of the Institute's Board of Directors for 14 out of his 16 years on the board.
TIMELINE
1989 - Beginning Laboratory Operations
The
Institute began its laboratory operations in 1989 with the arrival of
two pioneering immunologists, Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka and Dr. Teruko
Ishizaka, from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The
Ishizaka's received worldwide recognition in 1966 for their discovery
of the IgE (immunoglobulin E) protein, a molecule that induces allergic
reactions in the human body.
1991 - Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka appointed President/Scientific Director of the Institute
In
1991 Dr. Kimishige Ishizaka was appointed President/Scientific Director
of the Institute and served in this role until his retirement in 1995.
Under Dr. Ishizaka's leadership, LIAI quickly established a worldwide
reputation for excellence in allergy and immunology research.
1995 to 2003 - Dr. Howard Grey leads the Institute
Dr.
Howard Grey joined LIAI in 1995, succeeding Dr. Ishizaka as
President/Scientific Director of the Institute. The following year,
LIAI moved from its initial location on Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla
to a newly designed and constructed facility on Science Center Drive on
the Torrey Pines Mesa. During the next several years, Dr. Grey led the
Institute through a period of growth that included the recruitment of
prominent faculty members and the formation of a program to accelerate
the commercial development of LIAI's research and drug discovery plans.
During Dr. Grey's tenure the Institute more than doubled in size,
achieved significant scientific advances, and further established
itself as a leader in immunologic research.
2003 to Present - Expansion and new State of the Art Research Facility
Since
its inception, LIAI has benefited from strong leadership. Today, the
Institute is led by Dr. Mitchell Kronenberg, who was appointed as
President/Scientific Director in 2003, now serves as President and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Kronenberg's vision for the future has included the development of a new research facility to accommodate the Institute's growth, an accompanying expansion of LIAI faculty and laboratories, the creation of an Emerging Infectious Disease and Biodefense Center at LIAI, and the development of a joint Center for Immunology with UCSD.
When Drs. Kimi and Terry Ishizaka helped found the Institute in the 1980's, they created a standard of scientific excellence, as well as an environment where warmth and respect existed among colleagues. That legacy continues at LIAI to this day, and it fosters a highly innovative and collaborative research environment in which the Institute takes great pride.
LIAI was recently ranked among the top five molecular biology and genetics research institutions in the world. The Institute currently has over 200 employees, more than half who have doctoral (Ph.D. or M.D.) degrees.
