On a lovely June evening, SBP CEO Perry Nisen, MD, PhD, and his wife Amy opened up their La Jolla home to President’s Circle members. It was an intimate, warm gathering as SBP supporters, board members, friends and scientists mingled together with a backyard view overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean.

Dr. Nisen thanked the President’s Circle supporters and emphasized the importance of their contributions. He explained that the investment made by donors boosts the “opportunity to translate scientific research into medicines. And it’s really happening here. It’s also happening in a time of tremendous funding challenges.” Dr. Nisen further shared how his own father died of Parkinson’s disease and shared how heartbreaking it was to watch the deterioration of a loved one.

To elaborate further on the current state of neurodegenerative research, Dr. Jerold Chun, professor in the Neuroscience and Aging Research Center and senior vice-president, Neuroscience Drug Discovery, discussed the dire need for more research for the estimated 5 million Americans that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and the 1 million diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The numbers of patients will only increase as our population ages. Dr. Chun pointed out that out of all the research institutions on the Torrey Pines Mesa, we have a leader with the unique background of translating biomedical research into drugs for patients that need better therapeutic options.

After the brief talks, guests munched over caramel-braised pork belly, char miso barramundi, mini French macaroons, and flatbread from an outdoor, custom-built brick wood-fired pizza oven fired up for the first time for this special occasion for SBP friends.

As President’s Circle members, they receive invitations to exclusive events and have the opportunity to meet SBP scientists and leadership as well as receiving Institute news via monthly Discoveries newsletters and Pathways magazine.

To join the President’s Circle, click here.