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Lecture title: Sensing danger: How the nervous and immune systems coordinate inflammation - Front Row lecture with Alejandra Mendoza, PhD Description: Just as we can distinguish between the sting of heat and the chill of cold, our immune system is finely tuned to recognize and respond to a wide range of threats, from viruses and bacteria to allergens and injury. This complex sensing relies on communication between diverse cell types, including sensory neurons and immune cells, to ensure responses are tailored to the specific challenge. In this free Front Row lecture, assistant professor Alejandra Mendoza will explore how neuro-immune cellular circuits regulate inflammation, pain, and immunity. By bridging neuroscience and immunology, her research is revealing how our bodies interpret signals from the environment to guide immune decisions, from fighting infections to controlling tumor growth and chronic inflammatory diseases. About Scripps Research: Scripps Research is an independent, nonprofit biomedical institute based in La Jolla, California, and ranked one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. The Front Row lecture series, now in its eighth season, offers an exclusive glimpse into groundbreaking scientific discoveries in action. Reserve your seat today and learn how our scientists remain at the forefront of advancing the future of science and medicine. Join us—in the front row. Reserve your seat! Settle into our auditorium for an inspirational, in-person experience, or attend virtually with thousands of people from around the world. Visit: Scripps Research Front Row Lecture, Sensing danger: How the nervous and immune systems coordinate inflammation Scripps Research on Instagram and Facebook

Experience Birch Aquarium’s "Meditation Ocean: Aquarius Reef Base." This multi-sensory art and science installation reimagines the historic Aquarius Reef Base — the world’s only undersea research habitat — as a meditation space inspired by life beneath the ocean. Step through a portal into the underwater research station and experience life as the aquanauts did. Explore projections filmed at the original platform, wander through simulated underwater spaces and step inside a recreation of aquanauts' living quarters — all accompanied by ambient reef sounds and playful design that invite reflection on our connection to the ocean. Birch Aquarium opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing hours varying by day. Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Facebook / Instagram

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of "JAWS" with a special evening featuring Wendy Benchley, ocean advocate and wife of the late JAWS author Peter Benchley. Enjoy a lively reception with light refreshments, a sneak peek at the newly released JAWS@50 documentary — including never-before-seen footage — and a candid conversation about how the film helped shape public perception of sharks and catalyzed global marine conservation efforts. Following the talk, Benchley will be joined by renowned shark researchers Dovi Kacev and Brendan Talwar from Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a thought-provoking panel discussion about shark science, ocean storytelling and what lies ahead in the fight to protect these vital apex predators. Visit: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/jaws50-conversation-wendy-benchley Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Instagram and Facebook Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Instagram and Facebook

Lecture title: How microbes are rewriting the rules of immunity - Front Row lecture with Howard Hang, PhD Description: How do microbes influence our immune system, and can we leverage this relationship to combat disease? In this free Front Row lecture, Scripps Research Professor Howard Hang will delve into his lab’s innovative work at the intersection of chemistry, microbiology and immunology. By dissecting the molecular dialogues between gut bacteria and human cells, Hang’s research uncovers how microbial enzymes generate small molecules—called microbial metabolites—that can influence immune responses. These insights are paving the way for new treatments against infections, cancer and inflammatory illnesses, highlighting the powerful role that microbes play in shaping human health. About Scripps Research: Scripps Research is an independent, nonprofit biomedical institute based in La Jolla, California, and ranked one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. The Front Row lecture series, now in its eighth season, offers an exclusive glimpse into groundbreaking scientific discoveries in action. Reserve your seat today and learn how our scientists remain at the forefront of advancing the future of science and medicine. Join us—in the front row. Reserve your seat! Settle into our auditorium for an inspirational, in-person experience, or attend virtually with thousands of people from around the world. Scripps Research on Facebook / Instagram

COVID-19 symptoms that don’t go away affect hundreds of millions worldwide. Scripps Research is recruiting people with long COVID to test a weight-loss medication that shows promise in treating the illness.

*AT SCRIPPS RESEARCH AUDITORIUM* Next up, on Wednesday, November 19, is a return visit by the Django Festival Allstars, who will be joined by the remarkable jazz vocalist Veronica Swift. This masterful French gypsy jazz quintet returns for its first local performance since debuting on the Athenaeum series in 2016. Step into a night that feels lifted from a Parisian café and reimagined for the 21st century. The Django Festival Allstars deliver a musical experience bursting with spirit, swing, and soul in what The Wall Street Journal calls “the best jazz show in town.” Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of gypsy jazz legend Dorado Schmitt, this all-acoustic ensemble of international virtuosos radiates joy and passion through blazing guitar riffs, soaring violin, dazzling accordion, and deep, grooving bass. They celebrate the music of legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt who teamed with famed jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli in the 1930s and 40s to create the quintet of the Hot Club de France, which went on to become one of the most important jazz partnerships in history. Vocalist Veronica Swift made her local debut on the Athenaeum series in 2019 with pianist Benny Green. She is among the upper echelon of 21st century jazz singers because of her virtuosic brilliance, interpretive ingenuity, bracing songwriting, and keen arrangements. The Wall Street Journal wrote, “She has a miraculous voice, musical ability and technique, as well as an innate gift for entertaining a crowd.” Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

Science and seafood: understanding and protecting a precious natural resource If you love seafood, you’re not alone — but every bite comes from a complex and fragile marine ecosystem. To keep our ocean ecosystems thriving and our seafood resources abundant, we need a deeper scientific understanding of how they function. Join Scripps Oceanography Assistant Professor Dr. Colleen Petrik for a fascinating talk on how cutting-edge ecosystem modeling is helping us understand and protect the marine life we depend on. By blending biology, physics, and mathematics, Dr. Petrik creates “mini ecosystems” on a computer that show how ocean life responds to environmental changes — many of which are driven by human activity. Discover how this innovative approach guides smarter fisheries management and ocean conservation decisions, supporting sustainable seafood for the future. Seating is limited and lectures often sell out, so advanced registration is strongly recommended. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7 p.m. Visit: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/perspectives-lecture-series-november Scripps Instn. of Oceanography on Instagram and Facebook

Dr. Chandra Spring-Robinson will share a bit of robotics’ history, its evolution and what lies ahead with the latest robotic platforms just launched at Scripps. She has collaborated with robotic surgeons in a number of fields. This in-person lecture is also be available on Zoom. To receive a Zoom link, send your email to bheckler@san.rr.com.

San Diego leaders are calling on California to take stronger action to address the ongoing environmental crisis caused by sewage and industrial pollution flowing from the Tijuana River.

Join us for a day at the aquarium with family and friends, centering and celebrating Indigenous people and Indigenous ocean knowledge with the original peoples of Southern California, Baja CA and from across Turtle Island. This event features Bird Singing, storytelling, ethnobotany with native plants, hands-on activities inspired by Indigenous traditions — like tule boat making — and offers opportunities to connect with Indigenous cultural, educational organizations and more! Kumeyaay Cultural Tips: Ask permission to take photos and videos. Elders and pregnant women go first. When an elder is praying, everyone who is able should stand. The UC San Diego community holds great respect for the Kumeyaay Nation, the original people of this land where our campus is located. If you have any questions about our Indigenous Ocean Day event, please email Nan Renner, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. Visit: https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/indigenous-ocean-day Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Instagram and Facebook