Events

Said will speak on Gravesian theory, and the subject matter contained in his third book, Second Sapiens: The Rise of thePlanetary Mind and The Future of Humanity.

Our newest Rotarian, Said Elias Dawlabani is a cultural economist, publicspeaker, trainer and writer specializing in the Gravesian approach to value systems and cultural change.

He is the author of the 2013 book MEMEnomics, The Next-GenerationEconomic System. His writings in the field of finance have been compared to those of Peter Lynch, Charlie Munger and Warren Buffet. His work hasbeen translated to several languages including Korean, Mandarin, Germanand Russian. He has given keynote speeches about the Gravesian approach to sustainability in many parts of the world.

Said, is the founder of The Memenomics Group that frames organizationaland cultural change issues through the Gravesian model. He works closely with renowned geopolitical adviser Dr. Don E. Beck.Before teaming up with Beck, Dawlabani had a prominent career in thebrokerage, development and investment counseling sectors of the real estate industry. He is a graduate of International Business and Economics D‘Amore- McKim School of Business, Northeastern University.

On Saturday, May 17th, between, 5:30 AM and 9;50 AM, our Club will once again team up to participate in providing water and electrolytes at our Rotary Water Station 6, for the runners, joggers and walkers who will be participating in the Historic Kiwanis La Jolla 1⁄2 Marathon. Because of the increase in runners this year Kiwanis is asking that we provide 20 volunteers.

Join us at THE LOT for a No Host Club Social  in lieu of a meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 5 PM. 

Our speaker is our own Russell King, Retired Project Advisor to the Chancellor

30-year perspective: how did UCSD get to where it is now?

Our speakers will be Lidia Rossner, the Executive Director, and Phyllis Pfeiffer, the Chair of the La Jolla Community Foundation.

They will update us on the La Jolla Community Foundation.

Our Speakers will be Lidia Rossner, the Executive Director and Phyllis Pfeiffer, the Chair of the La Jolla Community Foundation.

They wil give us an update on the La Jolla Community Foundation.

Lidia and Phyllis Pfeiffer, Chair willl update us on their continuing efforts to Enhance La Jolla and maintain the public spaces in the MAD, Maintenance assessment District and their future plans for streetscape improvements

La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) raises funds through memberships and donations to support major projects in the community. Our purpose is to foster a sense of community and enhance the La Jolla experience. The LJCF is a public charity 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

Retired San Diego County Deputy Sheriff and SAY (Social Advocates for Youth)  San Diego Prevention Specialist William Perno is a subject-matter expert on synthetic drugs and will talk to us  about fentanyl in San Diego.

Shastity Urias, Community outreach specialist from the DEA will co- present with Bill

Dear Friends,

Our two speakers will be:

• William Perno, a retired San Diego County Deputy Sheriff and SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) San Diego Prevention Specialist.
• Shastity Urias, the Community Outreach Specialist from the DEA.

They will give us an update on the impact of Fentanyl in San Diego as seen by the DEA and Social Advocates for Youth. 

Please RSVP by 10:00 AM on Saturday June 14, 2025.

If you have any issues, email me at nataschavossen@san.rr.com and I will help you.

Kind regards,

Natascha Vossen

Rest up for an exciting new Rotary year beginning on July 1.  

Our meeting on tuesday, July 1 will the new rotary year and our new president Russell King and includebe a short talk  by Davis Crayroft  and a slideshow to honor and thank Bob Teraff for his excellent job as our president since January first.

Three special reasons to come to our July 1, 2025, meeting:

1. TO support President Russell King as he kicks off this new Rotary year and highlights all the activities and opportunities he has in mind for us this year.
2. TO be entertained as Davis Cracroft extols in word and picture some of the steps and missteps of our dearly departing past President Bob Teaff.
3. TO ensure a quorum so we can enjoy the excitement of voting on amending our Rotary Club Bylaws.

As a bonus, Fund-Raising Auction:

• There may still be some pairs of tickets available for Cindy Goodman to auction off for the Magical MOTOWN Concert at the Conrad on July 13.
• This is a fundraiser for our Club’s Foundation.
• It is a traveling show, and these songs are being performed by a world-class, superband, composed of musicians who have sung and recorded with many of the top groups, including The Temptations, The Jacksons & The Supremes.

Russell King will grasp the gavel and kick off the 2025–2026 new Rotary year as our new president.

Our program will be led by devoted Demoter-in-Chief Davis Cracroft who will entertain us and honor dearly departing President Bob Teaff.with stories, photos, and some facts about his life and  reign.

Keith is an advocate for preserving architecturally unique homes and maintaining & supporting our diverse communities.  He will talk to us about modernism and  mid-century modern architecture in and around La Jolla.

This week's speaker is Keith York

There are few people, if any, that are more knowledgeable with regard to Mid-Century Modern architecture in San Diego, CA. From the designs themselves, to the architects, and every story in between, Keith York is an encyclopedia of all things related to his craft.

Keith will present information about modernism design and architecture in La Jolla.

This week's speaker is Gary London, senior partner London-Moeder Advisors

Gary will explain to us what is going on with real estate and development in San Diego.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning. I tell Bobby from La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

London-Moeder Advisors is a diversified real estate strategic advisory, development, management, investment, capital access and analysis firm.ondon Moeder Advisors 

It prepares residential and commercial market and financial feasibility studies. We also analyze real estate investments for prospective investors and prepare investment packages to assist in the marketing of real estate projects and portfolios. Our practice focuses on the states of California, Arizona and Nevada. Our clients include major developers and institutional investors in both the residential and commercial fields.

Tuesday, July 22th David Brockett is having an evening social at his house.

7804 Ivanhoe Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Please RSVP soon, so David can prepare for this fun event. 

This wil be our fun,  often annual,  meeting with our fellow service club  in La Jolla, the Kiwanians.

Joe is the councilman  for District 1, which consists of the beach cities in San Diego. Last  year he was elected president of the San Diego City Council.

Councilmember LaCava is honored to represent the residents and businesses of San Diego City Council District 1 where he is currently serving his second term. Joe was unanimously elected by his colleagues as the President of the City Council and chairs the Council's Rules Committee. He continues his work on the Environment Committee and is First Vice Chair on the SANDAG Board of Directors.

In 2024, he served as chair of the Board of Directors for San Diego Community Power and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, and chaired SANDAG's Regional Planning Committee.

He is a San Diego native and San Diego State University graduate. He has lived in District 1 since 1983 with his wife Lorene, a retired kindergarten teacher, where they raised two daughters.

President LaCava is a licensed civil engineer bringing extensive experience on land use, housing, infrastructure, climate change, and the environment. Prior to his election in 2020, he served on nearly 30 civic boards, planning groups, and commissions. The combination of technical expertise and community engagement makes him an effective leader on policies, legislation, and budgets that meet the needs of his district and all San Diegans.

Joe usually talks for a bit and then takes questions so please bring some.

Joint Meeting with the La Jolla Kiwanis Club

Featuring City Council President, and our Second Term District Councilman, Joe Lacava

In December, just before being sworn in for his second term representing our district, Councilman Lacava was unanimously elected to be President of the San Diego City Council. He will speak to us about his proposed council policy, highlights from the recently passed FY26 budget, and other updates from City Hall. He is an engaging speaker, and in past talks to Rotary, he has always allowed time for questions.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning. I tell Bobby from La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

Monthly board meeting for August at Barbara Brown's home

Steven R. Brown - Updates on Afghanistan

Tuesday 8/12/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Steve Brown is a man to be admired. He is a highly accomplished member of Rotary International, known for his extensive contributions to various global projects and initiatives. He is also Past President of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club and has served as District Governor of our Rotary District 5340, and as well Trustee of the Rotary International In 2002, (one of 15 worldwide). Steve’s commitment to Afghanistan was sparked by the events of September 11th, leading him to undertake numerous trips to the country over nearly two decades.

His work in Afghanistan includes:

• Founding the Jalalabad Rotary Club He successfully collaborated with Afghans to establish a local Rotary Club and foster a Sister Cities relationship between San Diego and Jalalabad.
• Educational Initiatives Brown spearheaded projects like building schools and establishing internet-connected computer labs in public high schools for both boys and girls. He also played a vital role in creating an internet-connected learning center at Nangarhar University, which provides English as a Second Language and information technology training.
• Polio Eradication Efforts He has been actively involved in Rotary's polio eradication efforts in Afghanistan, even meeting with Taliban leaders and then-President Karzai to further the cause.
• Fundraising and Partnerships Brown has secured funding from various organizations, including the World Bank, USAID, The Rotary Foundation, NATO, and the US Department of State, among others, to support these initiatives.

Although things have changed dramatically with the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021, Steve continues to stay in touch with his colleagues there. At our coming meeting, he will discuss the aftermath of the Fall and how things have evolved for Afghans today. It will be a fascinating discussion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

This coming Tuesday, Past President, Chuck Dick will be leading our meeting. To celebrate his persona, we are officially declaring this meeting BOWTIE Tuesday. Please join with us and let’s all (men and women) wear a bowtie! Note photos will be taken!

This Tuesday will also be your last chance to contribute your Foreign Money to Father Joe’s Villages, as we will be packing up and bringing the cash to Club 33. We collected a healthy amount but of course could always use more. Look for our collection box as you are registering…

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning. I tell Bobby from La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

Steve Brown is a longtime member and past president of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club and served as District Governor of Rotary District 5340 in 1995–96. His dedication to Rotary extends globally: he served as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2010 to 2014 and was Vice Chair in 2012–13. He has received some of Rotary's most prestigious honors, including the Citation for Meritorious Service, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Service Above Self Award.

Steve and his wife Susan are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch C. Klumph Society, Chair’s Circle, and Bequest Society. He currently serves as Vice Chair of Rotary’s Countdown to History Committee, which works to raise major gifts to support polio eradication efforts worldwide.

He is especially well known for leading his club’s impactful educational initiatives in Afghanistan. Beginning in 2002, Steve spearheaded the construction of a girls’ school in Jalalabad. That initial effort grew into a major educational campus that now serves nearly 9,000 students, both girls and boys, in daily shifts. The campus also includes the Steve Brown International Learning Center, a women’s dormitory for university students, a faculty training center, and a large auditorium.

Beyond Afghanistan, Steve has helped lead numerous international projects, including clean water wells and the innovative Hippo Fence project in Africa, as well as vocational and economic development initiatives such as a Somali sewing center.

Chuck Dick will be introducing Steve, whose work continues to exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self,” with a focus on education, sustainability, and global collaboration.

Our former member Earl Edwards is Special Advisor to the Chancellor and immediate Past Athletics Director for UCSD.

Earl is always an interesting speaker. He will talk to us about the UCSD Athletic Department’s transition to Division I status with the NCAA and the new pressures promoting athletes transferring colleges in search of a payday. 

Earl W. Edwards  led UC San Diego Athletics from the year 2000 until two months ago guiding the program through an unprecedented rise from NCAA Division III to Division I. Under his leadership, the Tritons have achieved historic milestones, including their first Big West baseball title in 2023 and becoming the first institution in NCAA history to have both its men’s and women’s basketball teams reach the NCAA Tournament in their first year of eligibility in 2025. UC San Diego also boasts the highest graduation rate of any public Division I institution.

During his tenure, Edwards has overseen multiple national championships at the Division II level, earned eight CCAA Commissioners’ Cups, and maintained UC San Diego’s consistent presence among the nation’s top programs in academic and athletic rankings. He has spearheaded significant facility upgrades, including renovations to LionTree Arena, Triton Soccer Stadium, and Canyonview Aquatic Center.

Named NACDA’s West Region Athletics Director of the Year in 2007 and one of its national Athletics Directors of the Year in 2017, Edwards has served on numerous national committees, including chairing the Big West Conference’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. His extensive career also includes leadership roles at East Stroudsburg University, University of Massachusetts, UC Davis, University of Michigan, and Drexel University.

A graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a bachelor’s in Physical Education, Edwards holds a master’s in Sports Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is active in the San Diego community, serving on boards for San Diego Bowl Games, and San Diego Sports Innovators.

Earl Edwards, Immediate Past Athletic Director
UCSD Athletic Department’s transition to Division I status with the NCAA

Tuesday 8/19/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning.

We inform La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

Social & Tour Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute
Courtney Snyder, Host
Social & Tour Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute
 

Location: Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 619-226-3870
 
Join us for a special evening on the waterfront at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) in Mission Bay. We’ll kick off the event by relaxing on HSWRI’s scenic back patio, taking in the beautiful bay views, connecting with fellow Rotarians and enjoying some food & drink.
 
Following our social time, you’ll be guided on an exciting behind-the-scenes tour of HSWRI’s Mission Bay laboratory. Discover the groundbreaking work being done to protect marine life, restore ocean habitats, and advance marine science — and learn how HSWRI’s research makes a global impact right here from San Diego.
 
IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
Attire - Closed-toed, flat-soled, waterproof shoes or boots are required, as the hatchery is a wet environment and you must walk through disinfectant chemical footbaths during the tour.

Other - For the safety of our animals, no objects or hands should be placed in the water without authorization.
Pets are not allowed on the premises due to strict biosecurity protocols for public health and food safety.
Photography is permitted.
Enjoy your tour
 
For more information, please contact:
Courtney Snyder | csnyder@hswri.org | 757-264-8610
 
DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 5:
Take the SeaWorld Drive exit and head west. Take the Ingraham Street/Mission Bay Drive exit off SeaWorld Drive (just past the main entrance to SeaWorld) and see “From Ingraham Street/Mission Bay Drive” below.
From Interstate 8:
Take the Ingraham Street/Mission Bay Drive exit, turn right or go west, and see “From Ingraham Street/Mission Bay Drive” below.
From Ingraham Street/Mission Bay Drive:
Move to the left one lane (otherwise you will be caught in a cloverleaf that takes you to Mission Beach). You will see a sign overhead for SeaWorld — use this as your guide for which lane to be in. Turn right at the first stoplight (Perez Cove Way). Our building (stone façade, with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute logo) is on the corner of Ingraham Street and Perez Cove Way. If there is no oncoming traffic, you can make a quick left into the second driveway (the first is blocked with a barrier pole) immediately after turning right at the stoplight. There is a roundabout that leads you to our parking lot.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is a non-profit scientific research organization committed to conserving and renewing marine life to ensure a healthier planet. Our team of experts provides innovative and objective scientific solutions to challenges threatening ocean health and marine life in our rapidly changing world.

The Institute was founded in 1963 to conduct research in the tradition of world-renowned scientists, Dr. Carl L. and Laura C. Hubbs. Since 1963 our charter has been: “To return to the sea some measure of the benefits derived from it.”

Misty Jones serves as the Director of the San Diego Public Library, where she oversees the Central Library and 35 branch locations. In her previous role as Deputy Director for the Central Division, she managed the complex move, grand opening, and day-to-day operations of the Central Library at Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common.

A graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the University of South Carolina, Misty began her career at the Greenville County Library in South Carolina. She then spent nine years at the Charleston County Library, where she founded and chaired Libraries Out Loud, a grassroots advocacy initiative dedicated to restoring library funding through public engagement and legislative outreach.

Upon relocating to San Diego, Misty immediately joined the California Library Association’s Legislative and Advocacy Committee and went on to serve as CLA President in 2016. She currently contributes her expertise to the Public Library Association’s Committee for Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships and sits on the boards of Calix and the USC Center for Library Leadership and Management.

Misty believes that libraries are the great equalizer, always inclusive and never exclusive, and thrives on their capacity to evolve with community needs. She is passionate about shifting public perception of libraries as essential components of both educational and economic ecosystems, and she remains committed to making the San Diego Public Library a dynamic hub for opportunity, discovery, and inspiration.

Tuesday 9/9/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

This week there will be two presentations:

Our Tijuana Scholars Program 
Members from The Tijuana Rotary will join us to bring us up to date on our Tijuana Scholars Program and its leadership. This program is a premier joint volunteer program of La Jolla Rotary and the Tijuana Rotary that has been active for many, many years.

Misty Jones, Director of the San Diego Public Library
Misty oversees the Central Library and its 35 branches

Misty believes libraries are the great equalizer, always inclusive and never exclusive. She thrives on change and believes that the strength of libraries is in their ability to redefine themselves to fit public need. She is intent on changing perceptions and showing that libraries are a vital part of the educational and economic ecosystem and essential to the success of a community and its members. She is committed to making San Diego Public Library the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning.

We inform La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

Tuesday 9/16/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Jack McGrory, Civic Leader, CSU Board of Trustees Member

The State of the City 

Jack is CEO of La Jolla MJ Management, LLC, a real estate investment company. He served as City Manager of the City of San Diego from March 1991 through August 1997. He worked for the City of San Diego for twenty-three years.

Following his tenure as City Manager, he assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Price Enterprises, Inc. on September 2, 1997 and oversaw the sale of that company.

From 1999 to 2000 he was Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Padres and from 1999-2002 he was President of the subsidiary responsible for building Petco Park and the adjacent commercial development.

From 2003-2004 he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Price Legacy Corporation, a real estate investment trust specializing in the acquisition and management of retail power centers. Jack was Manager of The Price Group from 2001–2009. The Group was an investor in more than $1 billion in residential development with Remark and was the principal investor in Trans West Housing which built approximately 2,000 houses in Southern California. He was also a Director and Executive Vice President of PriceSmart, Inc., from 1999 until 2001.

Jack is a member of the California State University Board of Trustees (appointed by Governor Brown); the past Chairman of the Campanile Foundation Board, SDSU; the Chairman of the Veterans Council at SDSU; Chairman of the School of Public Affairs Council at SDSU: Chairman Emeritus of Teach For America San Diego; the Board of Trustees of the Craig Venter Institute; past President of the Mainly Mozart Board of Directors; the Board of Visitors, USD Law School; the Board of Directors of the YMCA of San Diego County; the Board of Youth Access Academy; and the Board of Directors of the Dan Diego River Park Foundation. Jack has been a member of the Board of Overseers at UCSD and the USS Midway Museum. He has also been a lecturer for twenty-five years in the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University and serves as a lecturer in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of California, San Diego.

Jack graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. He earned his Law Degree from the University of San Diego and is a member of the State Bar of California.

In 2017 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the CSU Board of Trustees.

Jack McGrory was a Marine Corps Lieutenant from 1971 to 1974 and served as a Rifle Platoon Commander. He has five children and seven ​grandchildren.

Please RSVP no later than Sunday morning.

We inform La Valencia how many people to expect on Sunday afternoon. I can't change that number, especially not on Monday or Tuesday, at that point the hotel is already preparing our lunch.

Elizabeth will talk about the various works of Episcopal Community Services, but her emphasis will be on Head Start and the implication of federal funding

Elizabeth Fitzsimons is the Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Community Services (ECS), a San Diego nonprofit providing early childhood education, homelessness services, and mental health and substance use disorder treatment. A seasoned nonprofit and community leader, she previously served as Vice President of Leadership & Engagement at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, where she led LEAD San Diego and launched programs advancing women in leadership and addressing equity gaps.

Her career includes senior communications roles at Rady Children’s Hospital and the County of San Diego, as well as work as a journalist at The San Diego Union-Tribune. Fitzsimons holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s from American University. She serves on the City of San Diego’s Board of Library Commissioners and other civic boards, and lives in Del Cerro with her husband, daughter, and twin sons.

Tuesday 9/23/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Elizabeth W. Fitzsimons, CEO-Episcopal Services SD

Elizabeth will talk about the various works of Episcopal Community Services, 

but her emphasis will be on Head Start and the implication of federal funding.

Please RSVP by Sunday morning, as we must give La Valencia a final count that afternoon.

“Cockails Off Coast Walk” is set for 6 pm Thursday, Sept 25, in the garden at the La Jolla Historical Society. The event will include a highlight concert by the Alison Brown Quintet, dinner and cocktail and silent auction.

Our clubs share a history of supporting one another. Many Sunrise members attended our own Alison Brown Quintet fundraiser, and this is our chance to return the favor. The Rotary Club of La Jolla has already purchased a table, and members are invited to join us by purchasing individual tickets.

Tickets are $200 and benefit a great cause, from maintaining the Coast Walk to enhancing Goldfish Point’s viewing area, where our club’s contributions are proudly recognized.

A few tickets are still available, secure yours today! Contact Pat Stouffer at patstouffer@icloud.com to reserve your seat.

Let’s come together for an evening of music, fellowship, and community impact.

Gil Cabrera has been a leading attorney in San Diego for more than two decades, specializing in business and employment litigation as well as serving as outside counsel to regional businesses through his firm, The Cabrera Firm. He began his career with Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP before joining Cooley Godward, where he focused on securities and complex business litigation. Recognized among San Diego’s top attorneys by the San Diego Daily Transcript, San Diego Business Journal, and Super Lawyers since 2012, Cabrera brings extensive legal and governance expertise to his role.

Deeply committed to public service, Cabrera has served on numerous boards, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation (local and national), the San Diego Convention Center (Chair, 2017–2018), the San Diego LGBT Community Center, Alliance for Hope International, and Sharp Healthcare (Immediate Past Chair). His public service began in the late 1990s co-chairing the San Diego Police Department’s Use of Force Task Force, and he later chaired the San Diego Ethics Commission, leading a major overhaul of the city’s lobbying laws.

Appointed by the Mayor of San Diego to a term ending in 2027, Cabrera continues to shape the city’s future while living in San Diego with his wife, Krista, and their two daughters.

Reminder: This Tuesday 9/30/25, there is a Rotary Social at The Lot, 5 - 7 PM

(that is not what you are registering for!!!!!)

YOU ARE REGISTERING FOR:

Tuesday 10/07/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Gil Cabrera, Chair-SD County Regional Airport Authority

Gill will address the region’s long term air infrastructure needs

Please RSVP by Sunday morning, as we must give La Valencia a final count that afternoon.

Each district governor crafts, a message for his or her year and delivers it to each of the clubs in the district. It's always interesting to see what our new district leadership has in mind for the coming Rotary year.

The October 14th meeting will be in the Galeria.

Tuesday 10/14/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Luis Carranza, Rotary District Governor, 5340

Our Annual District Governors' visit

Click on the blue link below to RSVP by Sunday morning.

Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, who has spoken to us before,  is a structural biologist and immunologist who serves as President and CEO of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Renowned for pioneering work on the molecular structures of deadly viruses—including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and measles—she has revealed how viral proteins function, adapt, and can be targeted by therapeutics. Her career spans groundbreaking discoveries such as the first complete structure of human IgG, the Ebola virus glycoprotein, and the architecture of viral replication factories inside cells. A champion of global scientific collaboration, she directs major international consortia to accelerate treatments for viral hemorrhagic fevers and COVID-19, and leads innovative programs to counter herpesviruses. Her leadership blends high-impact research with a commitment to uniting scientists worldwide against emerging infectious threats

Tuesday 11/04/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Dr. Miguel Reina-Campos Ph.D

Decoding the Principles of our Immune System

in the Fight to Prevent Cancer and Infections

Click on the blue link below to RSVP by Sunday morning.

Tuesday 10/21/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Erica Ollman Saphire, President and CEO of the La JollaInstitute of Immunology

An Inside look at the Impact of Federal Funding cuts on scientific research at LJI

and the broader San Diego Region.

Click on the blue link below to RSVP by Sunday morning.

Dr. Miguel Reina-Campos is an Assistant Professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, where he leads the Laboratory of Tissue Immune Networks. A biochemist from Barcelona with expertise in cancer cell biology and immunology, his research centers on tissue-resident CD8⁺ T cells: specialized immune sentinels embedded in organs such as the liver and colon. By uncovering how these “professional survivalists” adapt to different tissue environments, his lab aims to harness their strategies to strengthen cancer immunotherapies and potentially address autoimmune diseases. Using advanced tools like spatial transcriptomics and CRISPR, Dr. Reina-Campos seeks to reveal the hidden lives of immune cells and collaborate across disciplines to accelerate life-saving treatments.

Vice Admiral Robert Thomas retired from the U.S. Navy in January 2017 after 38 years of Naval Service. He then accepted an appointment as a Senior Research Fellow with the University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC). He is also a full time faculty member at UC San Diego’s Graduate School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). Vice Admiral Thomas’ last operational tour was in command of the U.S. 7th Fleet from July 2013 to September 2015. His final assignment before retiring was Director Navy Staff in the Pentagon. Vice Admiral Thomas graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the National War College in Washington, DC.

Tuesday 11/11/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Robert L Thomas, Vice Admiral US Navy (ret.)

Will present on Maritime Security and Strategies in the Indo- Pacific

Click on the blue link below to RSVP by Sunday morning.

Tuesday 11/11/25 Rotary meeting and luncheon

Robert L Thomas, Vice Admiral US Navy (ret.)

Will present on Maritime Security and Strategies in the Indo- Pacific.

Click on the blue link below to RSVP by Sunday morning.