• The Salk Institute for Biological Studies recently announced a gift from Conrad Prebys, a Salk trustee, to establish the Conrad T. Prebys Endowed Chair in Vision Research for Dr. Tom Albright. As part of their senior scientist endowed chair challenge, Joan and Irwin Jacobs will match the donor’s gift with an additional $1 million to establish the donor’s named chair at $3 million. Albright is a professor and director of the Vision Center Laboratory at the Salk Institute. Prebys is the owner of Progress Construction Company and a developer of real estate enterprises in California and Texas. • Salk Institute professor Terry J. Sejnowski, Ph.D., has been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest accolades in engineering. Sejnowski, whose work on neural networks helped spark the 1980s neural networks revolution in computing, is recognized for his “contributions to artificial and real neural network algorithms and applying signal processing models to neuroscience.” Sejnowski is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine, making him one of only 10 living individuals to have been elected. • The Salk Institute for Biological Studies has appointed Stacie Spector as Chief Communications Officer. Spector has served in similar communications capacities in the political, academic, research, business and nonprofit sectors. In 2004, she was recruited to be associate vice chancellor for communications at the University of California, San Diego, overseeing communications, media relations, publications, special events, marketing, VIP tours and state government relations and advocacy. A graduate of Columbia University and a California native, Spector entered the world of politics by serving as the deputy campaign manager for the re-election campaign of Sen. Tom Harkin. Her success with his campaign led to a move to Washington, D.C. and a series of campaign and political consulting roles, eventually serving as deputy communications director for former President Bill Clinton’s re-election. She also oversaw all events for the 1997 presidential inauguration. Her experience and commitment led to an appointment as the White House deputy director of communications and deputy assistant Clinton during his second term. • Four La Jolla youths are in the casts of San Diego Junior Theatre’s March productions. Julia Kate Ramsey, Nora Joyce and Natasha Chandler are performing in “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” the beloved tale of a crafty critter that bamboozles three ornery farmers. The show runs from March 4 to 20 at Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado Theater on Fridays at 7 p.m. and weekends at 2 p.m. Among the troupe in San Diego Junior Theater’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is Max Oilman-Williams. This show’s performances are on March 10, 12, 17 and 19 at 7 p.m. and on March 13 at 6 p.m., also at Casa del Prado Theater. Suitable for those 12 or older, the musical comedy chronicles the angst of six quirky adolescents as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Tickets for both shows range from $8 to $14 and are available online at www.juniortheatre.com, or by calling (619) 239-8355. • La Jollan barbara bry has been named a Women’s History Month Local Hero by KPBS and Union Bank. She is an entrepreneur who uses her passion and business savvy to level the playing field for women and girls, especially in conventionally male fields. Bry is responsible for the foundation of San Diego Athena, the leading organization for local women in the technology and life sciences fields. She also supports the community by contributing to organizations such as Voice of San Diego, CONNECT, Run Women Run, Planned Parenthood, San Diego’s Jewish Women’s and Community foundations, Rotary Club 33 and Women Give San Diego.
