In 2025, Salk’s Year of Alzheimer’s Disease Research highlighted our unique approach to studying the underlying drivers of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies like Nicola Allen’s below are revealing how non-neuronal cells, chronic inflammation, dysregulated energy metabolism, and DNA damage can all contribute to the disease.

Now, as an extension of that effort, we have declared 2026 our Year of Brain Health—a bold initiative to accelerate brain research and identify new strategies to not only diagnose and treat disease but also actively promote health. Stay tuned for an invitation to our kickoff event at 10:00 a.m. PT on January 28, 2026: A webinar with Salk neuroscientist and circadian biologist Emily Manoogian, PhD, presented by the Del Mar Foundation.

How do brains stay stable, and when might a dose of flexibility be helpful?

It’s been a big year for Beyond Lab Walls. We kicked off Salk’s Year of Alzheimer’s Disease Research with a special feature episode all about the topic. We learned where immunology and neuroscience meet, how genetic building blocks influence healthy aging, what the junctions between our neurons have to do with memory, and why so-called “zombie cells” may cause age-related inflammation.

Our world-renowned faculty also made appearances: Tony Hunter, PhD, reflected on 50 years at Salk and his field-shaping cancer research, while John Reynolds, PhD, explained how our brains make sense of the world around us. We also learned why one of our plant biologists went road-tripping with a car full of potatoes and hosted a special live episode about our Science Can’t Wait campaign.

Thank you for listening along with us. Take a scroll through the archives and make sure you’ve heard them all before we begin a whole new batch of exciting episodes in the new year. Listen now »

Physician, inventor, and venture capitalist Andrew “Drew” Senyei, MD, was recently appointed to the Salk Institute’s Board of Trustees. Senyei has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare and emerging technology industries, including co-founding Enterprise Partners Venture Capital and serving as the founding investor of Nuvasive.

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Evans, PhD, laid the groundwork for many dozens of cancer therapeutics that treat leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. His cancer research journey continues with his latest Curebound Targeted Grant, which will fund his project aimed to intercept colorectal cancer growth and therapeutic resistance. He will receive $500,000 to support this interdisciplinary research project geared toward translational application.

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Salk faculty members Dmitry Lyumkis, PhD, and Jesse Dixon, MD, PhD, are helping explain why Science Can’t Wait. In their videos on our campaign page, the scientists share how their research programs have been affected by recent federal funding delays—and what small philanthropic gifts can do to keep their critical research going.

Now you can read their new article in The Scientist, where the researchers explain how today’s shaky funding landscape is creating ongoing challenges for American scientists.

Read the op-ed »

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What is foundational science? This question was top of mind for Salk Institute founder Jonas Salk, who envisioned a foundational research institute whose knowledge flowed forth from its campus into the world. The iconic “River of Life” that runs through the center of Salk’s courtyard symbolizes this flow—and, crucially, positions Salk as its origin, where cures begin.

The focal point of the winter 2025 issue of Inside Salk magazine is the critical role foundational research plays in sustaining medical and industry innovation. Join our mailing list to receive Inside Salk at your door and check out our archives online to read our fall issue (and all previous issues!) before this one hits the web in January.