30th Annual Symphony at Salk Program

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The San Diego Symphony with special guest artists

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Program and Dinner Intermission Remarks and Musical Program Event Concludes 1

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T The Salk Institute is an independent, nonprofit research institute founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine. The Institute’s mission is to drive foundational, collaborative, risk-taking research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and agricultural vulnerability.

This foundational science underpins all translational efforts, generating insights that enable new medicines and To better understandworldwide. sensory disorders and build better prosthetics, Salk innovations Associate Professor Eiman Azim and team study how the brain ignores distracting information to coordinate movements. This image shows Followneuron us on: cell bodies (red) in the brainstem with their axonal inhibitory projections (green) onto the cuneate cells (blue) that transmit touch @salkinstitute information.

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Dear Guests, On behalf of the Salk Institute, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 30th Annual Symphony at Salk—a milestone worth celebrating, and one that is again sold out this year.

Thirty years ago, a small group of visionaries imagined what it might look like to bring world-class music to one of the most architecturally breathtaking spaces on earth. Tonight, that vision is very much alive. The iconic Courtyard of the Salk Institute, designed by architects Louis Kahn and Luis Barragán, and framed by the Pacific horizon, is once again transformed into an outdoor concert venue unlike any other. Very few people will ever experience this place quite the way you are experiencing it tonight, and we all know how special this is.

We are proud to welcome the San Diego Symphony back to our stage. The Symphony, led by President and CEO Martha Gilmer, has been an extraordinary partner for many years.

Their commitment to this collaboration reflects the same spirit of excellence that drives the work happening in our laboratories every day. Tonight, the Symphony is joined by the remarkable Bacon Brothers, led by Emmy-winning composer Michael Bacon and acclaimed Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon, for what promises to be an unforgettable evening under the stars.

This year carries special meaning beyond our 30th anniversary.

We have declared 2026 Salk’s Year of Brain Health—a bold initiative to transform our understanding of brain health and lay the foundation for new strategies to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We are conducting foundational research across multiple scientific disciplines to determine how factors such as exercise, sleep, diet, immune health, cardiovascular health, and social interaction can help prevent cognitive decline as we age. Before there can be new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that rob people of their memories and independence, there are fundamental questions that need to be answered. How does the brain learn, remember, and forget? What drives chronic inflammation in the aging brain?

How can we preserve cognitive resilience across our lifespans?

Salk scientists are pursuing these questions right now, and the answers they find today will lay the foundation for the therapies of tomorrow. Your presence here, and your generosity, make that work possible.

An evening of this magnitude does not happen without extraordinary dedication behind the scenes. I am deeply grateful to the 2026 Symphony at Salk Committee, led

by Salk Trustee Amy Jacobs, together with Priscilla Balikian, Michelle Flatley Hansen, and Brian Kaspar.

Their efforts and deep commitment to this Institute make this night what it is, year after year.

To you, our sponsors and guests: thank you. By choosing to be here tonight, you are part of a remarkable 30-year tradition, and you are investing in the questions that will shape the future of human health. That is a legacy that extends far beyond this evening.

Enjoy the music. Enjoy the company. And know that what you are doing here matters.

With warm regards,

Gerald Joyce, MD, PhD Salk Institute President 3

SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS

THE BACON BROTHERS The Bacon Brothers—Michael and Kevin Bacon—have spent more than three decades making music together, building a sound that is unmistakably their own. They call it “Forosoco”: a blend of folk, rock, soul, and country shaped by strong songwriting, sibling harmonies, and a deep affection for American roots music.

Their musical partnership began long ago in Philadelphia, where the brothers were raised on a soundtrack of 1970s singer-songwriters, Philly soul bands, and classic rock acts.

Michael, an Emmy-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist, and Kevin, an acclaimed actor, guitarist, and songwriter, bring distinct creative voices to a shared musical vision.

That stylistic range has carried The Bacon Brothers from headline dates in Japan to landmark American stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and Gruene Hall. Across eleven albums, their music has moved easily between intimate acoustic songs, soulful grooves, rock-and-roll energy, and richly drawn stories.

Multiple decades and countless shows later, The Bacon Brothers are creating their own soundtrack—saluting their old-school influences while making music that is undeniably modern. Rooted in the chemistry of a long-running partnership and energized by curiosity, they remain open to wherever the next song leads.

Today, The Bacon Brothers continue to draw on those early influences while making music that feels entirely their own. Their long-running partnership is grounded in instinct, shared history, and a lasting love of following the song wherever it goes.

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CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, CONDUCTOR Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is the Music Director of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, newly appointed Music Director of the Philly Pops, and former Music Director of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony, which he joined in the 2015/16 season as Associate Conductor. Before moving to the United States, Dragon held the inaugural position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, where he was mentored by Asher Fisch.

Dragon's versatility ranges from live-to-picture performances, including Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and a wide variety of collaborations with artists such as The Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo, and Joshua Bell, to standard and contemporary orchestral repertoires such as Danny Elfman’s Percussion Concerto, and he has become highly sought-after in all of these areas. Christopher has become known for his charisma, high energy, and affinity for a good costume, consistently delivering unforgettable performances that have made him an audience favorite.

Recent highlights include his sold-out symphony tour with Gregory Alan Isakov, including two performances at New York’s iconic Radio City, with another symphony tour planned in 2026, culminating at the Hollywood Bowl. Other upcoming highlights include collaborations with Jon Batiste and Idina Menzel, and his debut with the Toronto

Credit: John Christopher Studio

Symphony Orchestra.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY The San Diego Symphony stands among the nation’s leading orchestras and serves as a dynamic cultural ambassador for the United States and the San Diego region. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Martha Gilmer and Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare, its 82 internationally distinguished musicians bring artistry of the highest caliber to audiences at home and abroad. Globally connected and firmly grounded in its community, the Symphony’s artistic life is anchored by two iconic venues: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, a striking open-air performance space on the San Diego waterfront, and Jacobs Music Center, a historic theater renovated to become a premiere concert hall and architectural landmark. Together, these halls have transformed the cultural landscape of downtown San Diego and established distinctive homes for the Symphony’s year-round work. Guided by its mission of Changing Lives Through Music, the Symphony’s community programs serve more than 65,000 students, families, educators, military service members, and nonprofit partners each year.

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Members of the San Diego Symphony perform at the 29th Annual Symphony at Salk.

Credit: Salk Institute

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Discovery Society

Your invitation to Salk begins here Discovery Society is Salk's premier community for supporters who believe in the power of bold science. Membership grants you access to special events, early discovery updates, and personalized opportunities to connect with Salk architecture and scientists.

This access now includes an exciting new event— an evening of drinks and community during the fall equinox, when the setting sun aligns with Salk's River of Life water feature, as it does only twice a year. Join Discovery Society today, and we will see you in September.

Become a Discovery Society member today to receive your invitation to this first-ever gathering and other one-of-a-kind Salk experiences throughout the year.

Learn More www.salk.edu/Discovery-Society or email giving@salk.edu.

DISCOVERIES

SALK SCIENCE in THE NEWS 2025-2026 Salk scientists publish hundreds of discoveries each year. Each discovery bends traditional disciplinary boundaries, as our faculty work together to solve life’s biggest questions.

Together, their discoveries plant the seeds for innovation and impact far beyond what one lab alone could accomplish. With their foundational research, they uncover the mechanisms underpinning life that enable tomorrow’s inventions, therapies, and breakthroughs.

Here are a few exciting seeds that Salk researchers planted this year.

PA N C R E AT I C C A N C E R

AI Microproteins have been lost in the 99% of DNA disregarded as “noncoding”—hiding in vast, dark stretches of unexplored genetic code. Alan Saghatelian, PhD, is illuminating this dark side of the genome using a new, AI-powered tool that he invented, called ShortStop. ShortStop identifies microproteins involved in health and disease, and it has already been used to analyze a lung cancer dataset to find 210 entirely new microprotein candidates for future therapeutics.

Above: Pancreatic cancer cells (red) are surrounded by a dense fibrotic shield made of activated fibroblasts and connective tissue (purple). Immune cells (green) are prevalent in the tumor microenvironment. Healthy pancreatic cells (orange) are outside of the tumor. Credit: Amy Cao, Senior Science Illustrator

Preclinical studies led by Ronald Evans, PhD, and team laid the foundation for a question now being tested in patients: Can a vitamin D-based therapy “reprogram” a pancreatic tumor’s protective microenvironment, making tumors more vulnerable to therapeutic treatments?

A clinical trial led by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute now provides early evidence that vitamin D analogs can enhance chemotherapy response and improve survival, especially in patients with high tumor vitamin D receptor expression.

In another recent pancreatic cancer research advance, Dannielle Engle, PhD, and collaborators identified a unique sugar, HSAT, as a potential therapeutic target for slowing tumor progression and metastasis. Pancreatic cancer patients with higher pancreatic HSAT levels had better survival rates.

The researchers determined that HSAT could act as a powerful biomarker for catching and tracking pancreatic cancer, and that boosting HSAT levels may slow the formation and spread of the disease.

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Left: Cells express a novel ShortStoppredicted microprotein (green), with cell nuclei stained blue. The pattern suggests microproteins are localized either in endosomes, which are organelles responsible for sorting and transporting cellular cargo, or in lysosomes, which are organelles that collect and remove cellular waste.

Credit: Salk Institute

H E A LT H Y A G I N G Dealing with an infection is not as straightforward as simply killing the pathogen. The body also needs to carefully steer and monitor its immune response to prevent collateral damage in a process called disease tolerance—something Janelle Ayres, PhD, has been studying for two decades. Her latest research shows that younger and older mice with sepsis have distinct disease courses and tolerance mechanisms, suggesting that future therapies may be more effective if tailored to a patient’s age.

Left: Cells (green) becoming infected with bacteria (red). Credit: Salk Institute

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A G R I C U LT U R A L R E S I L I E N C E

GLP-1 THERAPIES

Plants can’t move to escape the heat—they are forced to adapt. One key survival strategy is to grow deeper, wider roots to reach water and nutrients further away.

But how do plants turn temperature cues into growth?

Lucia Strader, PhD, found proteins that serve as internal plant “thermostats,” directly sensing temperature, then changing genetic programs to direct root growth. The findings could be used in future efforts to engineer plants that withstand more extreme temperatures.

GLP-1 drugs have come to be thought of as “wonder drugs,” yet the mechanisms behind their many new health benefits have remained unclear. Marc Montminy, PhD, revealed the mechanism behind one of these benefits: promoting pancreatic beta cells’ health and stress tolerance. He identified a protein, called Med14, that connects GLP-1s to long-term, broad genomic responses that promote pancreatic health and resilience.

Left: Strader’s team determined a mechanism for regulating the cell-typespecific auxin response, providing a tunable knob for plant growth.

Credit: Salk Institute

RARE DISEASE Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited genetic developmental condition that strongly impacts brain development. New research from Nicola Allen, PhD, reveals how star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes contribute to some FXS symptoms. She also found that a protein pathway commonly upregulated in FXS astrocytes could be suppressed to lessen those symptoms—meaning less severe seizures and restored molecular balances in a mouse model of FXS.

Left: Astrocytes in the brain’s visual cortex. New Salk research shows that astrocytes may be viable targets for future fragile X syndrome therapeutics, and emphasizes the importance of studying these specialized brain cells in disease and disorder research.

Credit: Salk Institute

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Above: Small (top) and large (bottom) condensates of the mediator complex inside nuclei of a pancreatic beta cell-derived cell line. Salk researchers discovered that GLP-1s interact with the multi-protein complex called Mediator to cause a broad genomic response. Credit: Salk Institute

FOOD ALLERGIES In little moments like when licking an ice cream cone, it doesn’t seem like your body is pulling off a biological miracle. But it is. That ice cream is not you—yet, when you put it in your mouth, your body is able to tolerate it and process it without any detriment to your health, in a process called oral tolerance. Jamie Blum, PhD, is an oral tolerance expert, and her research is leading us toward future immunotherapies for people with food allergies.

Left: Corn is one of the three foods, alongside soybean and wheat, that contain a protein Jamie Blum, PhD, discovered helps regulate oral tolerance.

Credit: Salk Institute

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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, which affect more than 57 million people globally. Yet, the full mechanisms behind aging’s impact remain unclear. Joseph Ecker, PhD, and Margarita Behrens, PhD, have created a new atlas of the aging mouse brain—an atlas that represents eight different brain regions and 36 different cell types, and shows clear epigenetic differences associated with different ages.

The new resource can be used to unravel age-related contributions to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS.

Above: Salk researchers used spatial transcriptomics to map where different cell types reside in the mouse brain. Shown are excitatory neurons (left, blue), inhibitory neurons (middle, red), and non-neuronal cells (right, green), color-coded by cell type. Credit: Salk Institute

Keep up to date on Salk’s latest discoveries and to learn how Salk scientists are working to improve the world for the better.

Scan the QR code to sign up for Salk’s Newsletter.

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Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.”

JONAS SALK

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Watch all-new episodes of Salk’s podcast, Beyond Lab Walls 2026 is Salk’s Year of Brain Health.

To explore what brain health really means, Salk President Gerald Joyce is sitting down with different Salk experts in a special Beyond Lab Walls video podcast series. The episodes take a closer look at how factors like exercise, metabolism, social interactions, and immune health impact brain health in the long term—each conversation offering a window into how foundational science turns familiar advice into real, evidence-based understanding.

Beyond Lab Walls can be heard on Apple and Google podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Scan the QR code to visit www.salk.edu/podcast

30 YEARS of SYMPHONY AT SALK Because of you, discovery continues. And because of you, we celebrate 30 years of Symphony at Salk.

Your generosity and belief in science have helped sustain the Salk Institute through moments of challenge and uncertainty—from wildfires and a global pandemic to government shutdowns that threatened scientific progress nationwide. Through it all, Salk’s scientists and supporters continued to show up day after day, enabling the pursuit of bold ideas and life-changing discoveries in the service of humanity.

Like many breakthroughs, Symphony at Salk began with a simple idea: the union of art and science. That vision was central to Jonas Salk, who founded the Institute in 1960 as a place where creativity and discovery could thrive side by side. He imagined a campus that would inspire scientists and artists alike. This belief was reflected in his marriage to artist Françoise Gilot, whose work has been woven into Symphony at Salk since its earliest days—each year, a different Gilot piece shapes the evening’s visual language, its palette and atmosphere, casting the event as a celebration of art before the guests even arrive.

Each year, acclaimed guest artists join the San Diego Symphony in Louis Kahn’s iconic courtyard, where music, architecture, and science come together in celebration of creativity and collaboration. Much like science itself, these performances remind us that extraordinary achievements are rarely the result of a single moment. They are built steadily over time through dedication, resilience, and many individuals working together toward a common purpose.

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The first Symphony at Salk took place in 1996, when guests gathered beneath the stars to honor Jonas Salk’s legacy.

What began as an intimate evening has grown into one of San Diego’s most treasured cultural traditions, welcoming thousands of supporters united by a shared commitment to discovery and human progress.

Left and Above: The Salk Courtyard during the first-ever Symphony at Salk in 1996.

Credit: Salk Institute

At its heart, Symphony at Salk is a celebration of that shared commitment.

As we mark the 30th anniversary of this special evening, we honor not only three decades of music, but also the community of supporters like you who have helped transform ideas into impact and made groundbreaking science possible for generations to come.

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The Right Partnership Endures.

At Whittier Trust, we believe lasting relationships are the foundation of lasting legacies. Guided by experience and grounded in integrity, we help families preserve what matters most across generations.

We're proud to support this year's Symphony at Salk and honored to celebrate the innovation, excellence, and community that define this special event.

CONTACT WHIT BATCHELOR | 858.394.1005 KILEY BARNHORST MACDONALD | 858.394.1010 WHITTIERTRUST.COM Whittier Trust generally requires a minimum of $15 million in marketable securities for new client relationships. Investment and Wealth Management Services are provided by Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as “Whittier Trust”), state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. (“WHI”), a closely held holding company. This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended, and should not be construed, as investment, tax or legal advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and no investment or financial planning strategy can guarantee profit or protection against losses. All names, characters, and incidents, except for certain incidental references, are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Thirty years of art, science, and the spirit of Françoise Gilot Symphony at Salk began in 1996 as an evening unlike any other—world-class music performed under the stars in the Salk Institute’s iconic courtyard, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For 30 years, it has brought together people who believe, as we do, that imagination lies at the heart of both great science and great art.

From that very first concert, Françoise Gilot was part of it. As Honorary Chair of Symphony at Salk and wife of Institute founder Jonas Salk, she contributed an original work of art each year to serve as the event’s commemorative poster, a tradition that gave the evening a visual identity as distinctive as its music.

Gilot was one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. Born in France in 1921, she abandoned a promising career in law to devote herself to painting, holding her first exhibition at just 21. She went on to develop deep friendships with Matisse, Braque, and Cocteau, and later had a well-known partnership with Pablo Picasso. By the time she visited the Salk campus in 1969—drawn by her fascination with Louis Kahn’s architecture—she was already an internationally recognized painter and bestselling author. Jonas Salk led her tour personally. They married the following year.

Gilot passed away in 2023 at the age of 101, but her legacy lives on in these pages. The 30 posters collected here are both keepsakes and a record of a remarkable life. They also embody the remarkable partnership between art and science, a partnership that has always been at the heart of the Salk Institute.

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1998

TIMELINE

The San Diego Chamber Orchestra welcomes special guests The Romeros.

Below Left: In the Absence of the Beloved (1997) is featured on the keepsake poster.

Below Right: Françoise Gilot greets guests during the evening's festivities.

Bottom: Guests arrive in the Salk courtyard for another memorable evening under the stars.

1999 The La Jolla Chamber Orchestra performs.

Right: In the Beginning (1990).

Below: Salk co-founder Francis Crick attends the third annual Symphony at Salk.

1996 Above Left: Water Spirit (1989) appears on the inaugural Symphony at Salk poster, beginning a beloved tradition of featuring Françoise Gilot's artwork each year.

Above Right: The San Diego Chamber Orchestra performs at the first-ever Symphony at Salk, launching what would become one of San Diego's premier cultural events.

1997 The La Jolla Chamber Music Society Orchestra performs. (not pictured).

1997's posters feature In the Beginning (1990).

2000 The San Diego Symphony performs with Priti Gandhi and Virginia Sublett.

Above: The Last School Day (1996) appears on the Y2K Symphony at Salk poster.

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2004 Below: A glowing double helix is projected onto one of the Institute's iconic towers, highlighting the connection between science and art.

2002 The San Diego Symphony performs with Indira Mahajan and Kevin Deas.

The San Diego Symphony performs with The Romeros.

Right: This Labyrinth (1963) appears on the event poster.

Poster: A Window on the Sea (1962).

2001 The San Diego Symphony welcomes back The Romeros (not pictured).

Above: From Day to Day (1945) is featured on the keepsake poster.

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2003 Above: Dark Moon (2002) is featured on the keepsake poster.

Guests gather in the courtyard before an evening featuring highly acclaimed American-Canadian classical violinist Leila Josefowicz and The San Diego Symphony.

2005 Above: The Tree of Life (2002) graces the event poster.

Top Right: Sunset gives way to illuminated towers as The Canadian Brass joins The San Diego Symphony.

Bottom: The San Diego Symphony performs beneath the stars.

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2009

2007

The San Diego Symphony performs with actress, singer, and author, Bernadette Peters.

Right: Audience members enjoy another spectacular evening in the Salk courtyard.

Poster: Sun Emblem (1980) appears on the keepsake poster and event program.

Below: The San Diego Symphony and Hershey Felder, viewed from the soundboard.

Poster: In the Garden (1978).

2006 Poster: Full Moon and Comet (1999).

Performance: The San Diego Symphony with Irish tenor, medical doctor, and multi-gold medal-winning Paralympic athlete Ronan Tynan.

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2010 2008 The San Diego Symphony welcomes John Pizzarelli for an evening of jazz-inspired performances.

The San Diego Symphony welcomes entertainment icon Liza Minnelli.

Poster: Vegetation #1 (1961).

Poster: The Oracle (2008).

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2013 2011

The San Diego Symphony welcomes Katharine McPhee for a concert beneath the stars.

The San Diego Symphony performs with Idina Menzel.

Thomas Wilkins, Conductor, interacts with the crowd

Poster: Summer Pleasure (2010).

Poster: A Rose (2013).

2014 2012 Guests enjoy an unforgettable performance by LeAnn Rimes and The San Diego Symphony.

Poster: From Yellow to Red (1978).

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Matthew Morrison lights up the stage with The San Diego Symphony.

Poster: Alchemy (2013).

2015 The San Diego Symphony reunites with John Pizzarelli and Chris Botti for another unforgettable performance.

Poster: Picnic (2013).

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2018 Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. delivers a powerful performance with The San Diego Symphony.

Poster: Holiday (1996)

2016 Below: Broadway star Kelli O'Hara joins The San Diego Symphony for an unforgettable evening of music beneath the stars.

S@S_poster_2019-FINAL.pdf

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Poster: Soleil et Récif (1963) © Françoise Gilot, 1979 –1980 • The Hawthorne, Garden of Another Time • From the collection of F. Gilot

2021 2019 2017 Above: Grammy-winning producer and songwriter David Foster brings decades of chart-topping hits to the Symphony at Salk stage.

Poster: So Far, So Near (2016)

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Broadway favorite Laura Benanti performs alongside The San Diego Symphony.

Poster: The Hawthorne, Garden of Another Time (1979–1980) Each summer, the beautiful posters Gilot has created for every Symphony at Salk event line the fence leading to Salk’s iconic Courtyard.

Following a one-year pause, Symphony at Salk returns, welcoming guests back with Josh Groban and The San Diego Symphony.

Above: The evening celebrates the resilience of the Salk community and the return of gathering under the stars.

Poster: Briar Rose (2013).

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2023

2025

Despite forecasts of a hurricane, Jennifer Hudson and The San Diego Symphony deliver a spectacular performance as the show goes on.

Tony and Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth dazzles audiences with The San Diego Symphony.

Poster: Window on the Nile (1996).

Below: Dramatic lighting and projections illuminate Louis Kahn's iconic architecture throughout the evening.

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Symphony at Salk Symphony attheSalk Symphony Salk ata concert under stars a concert under the stars a concert under the stars

Poster: Genetic Patterns (1991).

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© Françoise Gilot, 1946 • Self-Portrait • From the collection of F. Gilot

Celebrating Françoise Gilot’s 100th birthday.

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2022

2024

Above: Ben Platt brings his signature Broadway vocals to the Salk courtyard.

David Foster returns with Katharine McPhee for a memorable evening of music and storytelling.

Below: Guests once again enjoy an evening where architecture, music, and science come together.

Poster: Self-Portrait, (1946), celebrating Françoise Gilot's 100th birthday.

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© Françoise Gilot, 1991 • Genetic Patterns • Color Lithograph • From the Salk Institute collection

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Below: Dynamic lighting and large-scale projections transform the courtyard into a vibrant outdoor concert venue.

Poster: Uncertainty Principle (2024).

2026

© Françoise Gilot, 2000-2001 • Ascending Forces • Oil on Canvas

The 30th Anniversary Symphony at Salk celebrates three decades of extraordinary music, scientific discovery, and philanthropy.

The Bacon Brothers join The San Diego Symphony for this milestone celebration.

Poster: This year’s selected artwork is Ascending Forces, (2000-2001), an oil on canvas influenced by Cubism and Abstract Expressionism, and a vibrant reflection of Françoise Gilot's distinctive style.

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IN MEMORIAM

“Jonas Salk should be recognized for two major achievements: One is the polio vaccine, and the other is the Salk Institute.”

SUZANNE BOURGEOIS

SUZANNE BOURGEOIS

1931-2026

The Salk Institute mourns the loss of Suzanne Bourgeois, founding member, gene regulation pioneer, and the Institute’s unofficial historian, who died at her home in Del Mar, California, on March 14, 2026, at the age of 94.

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As the founder of Salk’s Regulatory Biology Laboratory, Bourgeois studied the regulation of gene expression—the process cells use to turn genes “on” or “off”—using the bacterial lactose (lac) operon as a model system. In the 1960s, when little was known about the circuit, Bourgeois demonstrated that the lac repressor was a protein. She used the system to characterize, for the first time, the interaction between a regulatory protein and DNA. She later studied gene regulation in animal cells and eventually identified compounds that could help reverse

“Jonas Salk should be recognized for two major

multidrug resistance in cancer.

away in the old cabinets were the Salk Institute’s early

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Suzanne Bourgeois,

archives, which she saved from being destroyed.

but I am so grateful for having known such an inspiring scientist and a wonderful person all these years,” says Salk President Gerald Joyce, MD, PhD. “The scientific community has lost a brilliant mind, and Salk, a link to the founding of the Institute. She will be greatly missed.”

Bourgeois was born and educated in Brussels, Belgium. In 1961, she moved to the Pasteur Institute in Paris to join the laboratory of biochemist Jacques Monod, PhD, with whom she undertook a doctoral thesis at the University of Paris/Sorbonne. She

achievements: One is the polio vaccine, and the other is the Salk Institute,” she said at the time of publication.

In many ways, Bourgeois became the Salk Institute’s unofficial historian with her personal account of the origins and early years of the Institute. At one point during her research, she discovered several filing cabinets on Salk’s campus, some of which were marked “trash.” After taking a closer look, she realized she had struck gold. Filed

Beyond her scientific, archival, and narrative contributions to the Institute, Bourgeois also established the Suzanne Bourgeois Women & Science Fund. This fund continues to be a critical resource for fueling discovery and building scientific careers.

In quieter moments, Bourgeois loved nature— specifically greenery, flowers, and trees—and spending time in Del Mar, where she lived.

obtained her doctorate degree from the Sorbonne in 1966.

It was at the Pasteur Institute that Bourgeois met Melvin “Mel” Cohn, PhD. In 1963, they married and moved to La Jolla to help build the Institute at the request of Jonas Salk, who developed the first effective polio vaccine. Cohn died in 2018.

After retiring from her laboratory, Bourgeois realized that she was one of the last witnesses to the amazing founding of the Salk Institute, and she made it her mission to document that history. In 2014, her book, Genesis of the Salk Institute: The Epic of Its Founders, was published, chronicling the dynamic history of the Institute and the key players who took part in its creation.

Bourgeois told the story of how and why, although born far apart, the founders of the Salk Institute eventually gathered in La Jolla in the early 1960s to create an exceptional institution.

Opposite page: Suzanne Bourgeois in the lab. Credit: Salk Institute; Right: With her husband, Melvin Cohn, in 2010.

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2026 SALK’S YEAR of BRAIN HEALTH From platitude to practice At the Salk Institute, we are driven by a simple, but powerful, belief: that understanding life at its most foundational level is the surest path to improving human health. This year, we are bringing that belief into sharp focus as we recognize 2026 as Salk’s Year of Brain Health.

This ambitious, Institute-wide effort will deepen our understanding of the brain and address how we can protect it across the lifespan, protecting us from cognitive and mental health challenges as we age.

As we live longer than ever, these challenges now impact almost every family. Today, the average US citizen lives to 79.

One-sixth of adults over 65 and one-third over 85 will get Alzheimer’s disease. These statistics inspired our endeavor to understand brain health in those later years— helping us not just live longer, but also maintain health in those extended years.

The question is: How? Foundational scientists at Salk are especially well-suited to tackle this question, thanks to their strong relationships with colleagues, which help bridge disciplinary gaps in research. With help from three soccer-playing “Over-80 Ladies," they are exploring how exercise, cardiovascular health, immune health, metabolic health, and mental health converge to support a healthy brain.

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30 TH ANNUAL SYMPHONY AT SALK

Salk’s Year of Brain Health is turning platitudes

Foundational science searches for the underpinnings

into practice. Our scientists are exploring the

of biological phenomena that, once described, can be

biological mechanisms that turn tips like “eat

used to develop new therapeutics, establish effective

healthy,” “exercise,” and “make new friends” into

prevention strategies, and inform better habits—

better brain health in the long term.

keeping you living not just longer, but also healthier.

Exercise boosts proteins, like BDNF and GPLD-1, that encourage the growth of new neurons. Salk scientists suggest creating a sustainable, fun exercise routine, incorporating anything from

Your support illuminates a path to better brain health. Scan the QR Ccode to learn more and donate.

running to stretching to soccer. And it’s never too late to start.

Cardiovascular health improves circulation and the efficiency of energy-generating mitochondria in brain cells. Salk scientists suggest avoiding overeating, which can dysregulate mitochondria’s ability to efficiently generate energy.

Immune health helps keep inflammation down and supports neuronal support cells, ensuring that neurons stay connected and protected. Salk scientists suggest taking quick care of illness and injury when possible and avoiding gut distress caused by eating foods you are intolerant or allergic to.

Metabolic health limits fat accumulation and nutrient misuse, which have been linked to neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects. Salk scientists suggest exercising and maintaining an appropriate body weight.

Mental health supports memory, attention, language, and problem-solving skills, while suppressing mental health disorders that can exacerbate cognitive decline. Salk scientists suggest socializing and building community, as well as living an adventurous life with many new experiences, which increases neuronal connections.

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Extraordinary spaces foster groundbreaking innovations.

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We are proud to continue our partnership with Salk Institute to advance healthy aging through support of pioneering research on brain health.

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30.06.26 22:07 DGAONLINE.COM

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SALK INSTITUTE FACULTY NOBEL LAUREATES

Marna C. Whittington (Chair)

Elizabeth Blackburn

Francis H.C. Crick

Renato Dulbecco

Terry Rosen (Vice Chair)

Sydney Brenner

Roger Guillemen

Robert William Holley

Gerald Joyce (President)

FACULTY

Janelle Ayres

Gerald Joyce

Rusty Gage

Axel Nimmerjahn

David Dolby

President

Martyn Goulding

Joseph Noel

Fred Dotzler

Jan Karlseder

Ian Guldner

Clodagh O’Shea

Sung Han

Thales Papagiannakopoulos

Diana Hargreaves

Talmo Pereira

Daniel Hollern

Samuel Pfaff

Tony Hunter

Deepshika Ramanan

Susan Kaech

John Reynolds

Agnieszka Kendrick

Alan Saghatelian

Pallav Kosuri

Terrence Sejnowski

Julie Law

Gerald Shadel

Kuo-Fen Lee

Tatyana Sharpee

Dmitry Lyumkis

Reuben Shaw

Pamela Maher

Lucia Strader

Graham McVicker

Christina Towers

Christian Metallo

Kay Tye

Todd Michael

Ye Zheng

Jay T. Flatley Carol Gallagher Sarah Wolf Hallac Richard A. Heyman Lyn Hutton Amy Jacobs Sanjay K. Jha Benjamin H. Lewis Fred Luddy Corinne Mentzelopoulos Christian Metallo Howard H. Newman Axel Nimmerjahn Frederik Paulsen

Chief Science Officer Nicola Allen Kenta Asahina Janelle Ayres Eiman Azim Daniel Bayless Margarita Behrens Jamie Blum Wolfgang Busch Edward Callaway Sreekanth Chalasani Jesse Dixon Joseph Ecker Dannielle Engle Ronald Evans

Markus Reinhard

Lena Mueller

Eric Sagerman

NONRESIDENT FELLOWS

Mary Jane Salk

Lewis C. Cantley

David Julius

Brenda Schulman

Timothy M. Schoen

Andrew Dillin

Jennifer Lippincott-

Carla J. Shatz

Andrew Senyei

Christopher K. Glass

Schwartz

Detlef Weigel

Haeyoung Kong Tang

Douglas R. Green

J. Anthony Movshon

Irving L. Weissman

Daniel Tierney

Mary Lou Guerinot

Stephen Quake

Horacio Valeiras

RESIDENT FELLOWS

Irving Weissman

Adam Bowman

30 TH ANNUAL SYMPHONY AT SALK

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2 0 2 6 S Y M P H O N Y AT S A L K

SPONSORS The Salk Institute extends its heartfelt appreciation to the following individuals, foundations, and corporations for their generous and loyal support of the 30th annual Symphony at Salk. Your support gives Salk scientists the freedom to dream big as they explore the foundations of life and address major global challenges such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and aging.

ZENITH

GALAXY

AURORA

Sarah and Jay Flatley Irwin Jacobs Rita and Brian Kaspar Fred and Adriana Luddy Terry Rosen and Family Ann Tsukamoto-Weissman and Irv Weissman

Anonymous Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Richard and Priscilla Balikian Cooley Dr. Emmett Cunningham East End Advisors, LLC Carol and John Gallagher Healthpeak Helix Electric, Inc. Richard Heyman and Anne Daigle Amy and Adam Jacobs Sanjay and Fiona Jha Rodeki Foundation Gerald F. Joyce and Nancy McTigue Margaret T. Morris Foundation Eric and Jane Sagerman San Diego Football Club Norman Schultz Andrew and Noni Senyei Harry Sherr and Cynthia Strauss Haeyoung Tang The NOMIS Foundation Amy and Horacio Valeiras

Adam and Lin Cheyer Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa David and Linda Hale Johnson & Johnson Pfizer Stephen Quake Mr. and Mrs. Dan Tierney

GOLDEN SUN Frederick and Cassandra Dotzler

SUPERNOVA BioMed Realty Debbie and Alan Gold Hutton-Zimmerman Family Innovative Industrial Properties IQHQ La Mer Show Imaging The Auen Foundation Marna and Thomas Whittington

EAST END ADVISORS

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COMET Bristol Myers Squibb Clark Construction Fidelity Investments KPBS Jeff and Nancy Levinson Marie Raftery and Dr. Robert Rubenstein The Dolby Family Thermo Fisher Scientific Jocelyn and Dick Vortmann

STAR Athleta Linda and David Bachrach Bright Event Rentals Steven Gordon and Marilyn Grieco Tony Hunter and Jenny Price HUYABIO International Modern Luxury Ranch & Coast Magazine Dr. Catherine Rivier San Diego Magazine Wild Thyme

SYMPHONY AT SALK 2026 COMMITTEE Amy Jacobs (Chair) Priscilla Balikian Michelle Flatley Hansen Brian Kaspar

CONNECT WITH US Follow Salk Institute on social media for inspiring scientific discoveries, behind-the-scenes looks at groundbreaking research, conversations with worldrenowned scientists, upcoming events, and stories that show how foundational science is advancing our understanding of life and shaping a healthier future.

@salkinstitute www.salk.edu

MAKE A LEGACY GIFT TO SALK Together, we can build a healthier, brighter tomorrow, one discovery at a time. By including Salk in your estate plans or designating the Institute as a beneficiary, you empower long-term, risk-taking research and innovation that will drive breakthroughs to improve human health and well-being for decades to come. Many gifts have financial and tax benefits, and all allow for naming opportunities to honor your family or a loved one.

We invite you to become the newest member of Partners in Research, Salk’s legacy society, and enjoy exclusive invitations to events, early access to major discoveries, VIP tours of Salk’s iconic architecture and labs, and so much more!

Partners in Research To learn more about including Salk in your estate plans, please visit www.salk.edu/plannedgiving or contact: Dacia Samilo (858) 453-4100 x2068 dsamilo@salk.edu

THE LA MER FELLOWSHIP IN HEALTHY AGING La Mer is proud to continue to support Salk’s scientific research and commitment to innovation and ingenuity. With a shared reverence for nature and deep belief in science, La Mer and Salk combine their creativity, innovation and scientific excellence to support the research on biological aging, together.

The La Mer Fellowship in Healthy Aging funds a three-year postdoctoral position focused on foundational research on human aging at the molecular level. As a brand dedicated to enhancing the body’s innate functions through bioenergetic transformation, La Mer is honored to sponsor this groundbreaking research project.