Scripps Research Professor Chi-Huey Wong, PhD, has been awarded the 2022 Tetrahedron Prize for Creativity in Organic Synthesis for his pioneering work in glycoscience — the study of complex sugars and their role in physiology and disease biology.
Established in 1980, the Tetrahedron Prize is granted each year to a chemist who has made significant original contributions to the organic, biological or medicinal chemistry field. The prize includes a gold medal, certificate and $15,000 award.
Other local Tetrahedron Prize winners include Scripps Research President and CEO Peter Schultz, PhD (2019); Professor Dale Boger, PhD (2020); and Professor K. Barry Sharpless, PhD (1993).
“It is an incredible honor to be awarded this year’s Tetrahedron Prize, as well as to be recognized for our studies in glycosylation chemistry and biology,” Wong said. “My research is only made possible by the inspiring scientists and collaborators who I have worked alongside over the years, as we continue to unravel how biological glycosylation impacts disease and ultimately therapeutically intervene in these conditions.”
At Scripps Research, Wong’s lab is focused on developing tools that illuminate the role that glycosylation plays in our bodies, impacting everything from cancer progression to bacterial and viral infections to neurodegenerative disorders. The goal of Wong’s research is to translate these scientific insights into therapeutics, such as universal vaccines, antibodies and inhibitors involved in key glycosylation pathways.
Wong is currently the Scripps Family Chair Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research.
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The San Diego-based Monarch School Project has received a $244,450 grant from the California Department of Education for their mental and behavioral program. The Lucky Duck Foundation additionally awarded $100,000 in matching funds in support of the program.
Monarch School Project is a nonprofit that raises funds to assist unhoused students with academic, social, mental and behavioral services and support to help them build trust, overcome experienced complex trauma and succeed through the school program and beyond.
The California Department of Education and the Lucky Duck Foundation’s generous donations will allow the Monarch School Project to assist more students with their mental and behavioral needs, said Afira DeVries, CEO and president, Monarch School Project.
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Applied Data Finance, a San Diego-based tech-enabled lender and asset manager, has added Sumeet Wadhera and Jeff Andrews to its management team. Wadhera joins the company as chief capital officer and Andrews as chief growth officer. Both will report to ADF President Jimmy Cannon.
“ADF’s cutting-edge platform is positioned to meet the borrowing needs of millions of consumers across the credit spectrum,” Cannon said. “Sumeet and Jeff bring a wealth of industry experience and extensive relationships that will allow us to deliver on our incredible potential.”
Before joining ADF, Wadhera was global head of client insights and solutions at ANZ in Singapore and New York. Andrews previously oversaw strategic partnerships at Lending Club and Pagaya.
