2/01/2010 - San Diego Business Journal
San Diego People - Amnon Altman, Ph.D.
Article | .pdf
1/20/2010 - La Jolla Light
Altman Picked for Position
Article | .pdf
1/08/2010 - San Diego Union Tribune
Business Page - On The Move
Article | .pdf
1/08/2010 - San Diego Metropolitan Magazine
La Jolla Institute Creates New Science Position
Word .doc | .pdf
NEWS RELEASE
LA JOLLA INSTITUTE APPOINTS AMNON ALTMAN AS DIRECTOR OF SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS
SAN DIEGO - (Jan. 7, 2010) The La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology has appointed distinguished scientist Amnon Altman, Ph.D., a longtime faculty member, to the newly created position of director, scientific affairs. As director, Dr. Altman will assist Institute President & Chief Scientific Officer Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D., with expanding management activities related to the Institute's recent growth and dynamic research program.
The La Jolla Institute is an international leader in immunology research and San Diego's only research institution focused on solving immune-mediated disorders ranging from type 1 (juvenile) diabetes to infectious diseases to cancer.
"Dr. Altman is highly respected for his scientific accomplishments and judgment," said Dr. Kronenberg, noting that Dr. Altman is a prominent researcher whose career has significantly advanced scientific understanding of the signals governing how white blood cells are activated. This is important for understanding autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes as well as protective immune responses against infectious agents. "He brings the insight and wisdom of a veteran scientist, along with excellent managerial skills, which will be a major asset as our Institute continues to accelerate research toward new treatments for immune-mediated diseases."
As part of the changes, Dr. Kronenberg, previously president & scientific director, has been promoted to the additional role of chief scientific officer. "With the recent expansion of our scientific faculty and the prolific activity of our researchers, Dr. Altman's assistance with day-to-day operations will enable me to focus more intensely on the Institute's high-level goals, strategic vision and continued success."
Dr. Altman, a La Jolla resident, said he looks forward to his new position, while also maintaining his active research program. Dr. Altman is Member and Head of the Institute's Division of Cell Biology. "I am honored and excited to be chosen for this new position and look forward to working closely with Dr. Kronenberg and our faculty to advance the Institute's research initiatives."
In his new role, which became effective on January 1st, Dr. Altman will oversee the management of several components of the Institute's scientific research infrastructure, scientific operations and scientific affairs. These include the use and development of scientific core facilities; the Institute's seminar program; postdoctoral training activities; staff scientist appointments and other issues related to the scientific effort. He will become a member of the Institute's executive management team and will work closely with Dr. Kronenberg and other team members on the Institute's long-term planning. He will also serve as the liaison to the Scientific Advisory Board, a panel of prominent outside researchers which annually review the Institute's scientific progress.
Born in Israel, Dr. Altman received his B.Sc and M.Sc degrees from the University of Tel Aviv and his Ph.D. in 1975 from the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel. Between 1975 and 1978, Dr. Altman did his postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health and later at the Scripps Research Institute. He spent 12 years as a faculty member at the Scripps Research Institute prior to joining the La Jolla Institute in 1990. Dr. Altman is the recipient of a Leukemia Society of America Research Scholar award and serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals.
About La Jolla Institute
Founded in 1988, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology is a biomedical research nonprofit focused on improving human health through increased understanding of the immune system. Its scientists carry out research seeking new knowledge leading to the prevention of disease through vaccines and the treatment and cure of infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, Crohn's disease and asthma. La Jolla Institute's research staff includes more than 100 Ph.D.s and M.D.s.
###
