SUBJECT:

George Palade, M.D. Building Dedication

With the approval of the UC President, UCSD Health Sciences announces the naming of the Cellular and Molecular Medicine West Building as the George Palade Laboratories for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, in tribute to the exceptional career and life of George E. Palade, M.D. This honor recognizes Dr. Palade's numerous contributions to UCSD as a scientist, mentor, teacher, and community builder.

For over 50 years Dr. Palade, a Nobel Laureate, has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of the structure and function of cells and has opened new fields that scientists continue to explore. He is best known for his work in establishing the pathway for synthesis and transport of proteins along the secretory pathway.

Dr. Palade arrived at UCSD from Yale University in February 1990 to serve as the School of Medicine's first Dean for Scientific Affairs. Because local resources were limited, he sought and obtained outside support to achieve his goals. Under his direction, the Howard Hughes Medical Research Institute and the Ludwig Cancer Institute established bases at UCSD. He also obtained support from the Markey Foundation for Graduate Student Fellowships, and secured an institutional grant devoted to building immunology and human genetics at the university. He shaped the new Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and organized faculty of the Basic Biomedical Sciences to recruit and to represent fields of basic science for which there was no departmental home. Under Dr. Palade's leadership, the School of Medicine and UCSD experienced a remarkable growth and enrichment in scientific programs and development of one of the strongest research facilities in the nation.

A ceremony to publicly honor Dr. Palade and unveil the new building name is planned for Tuesday, March 16, 2004. Please join Acting Chancellor Marsha Chandler and me for a reception in the formerly named Cellular and Molecular Medicine West Building Courtyard at 12:30 p.m.

To further honor Dr. Palade's career, UCSD has initiated a campaign for the establishment of an endowed chair that will honor in perpetuity his contributions to science, research and teaching. If you would like more information regarding the George E. Palade Endowed Chair please contact Elizabeth Shed (858) 822-1119, eshed@ucsd.edu.

Edward W. Holmes, M.D. Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences Dean, School of Medicine