A prestigious new award has been given by an East Coast organization – but there are strong Los Angeles connections.
For one, the organization that gave the award was endowed by L.A.’s best known philanthropists, the late Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe L. Broad. It is the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its mission is to empower creative scientists to transform medicine.
For another, the new award is named for Dr. Richard Merkin, the founder and chief executive of Northridge-based Heritage Provider Network, one of the country’s largest physician-owned integrated health care systems. The Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology comes with some significant money: $400,000.
The inaugural awardee has no L.A. connection – he’s in Colorado – but Dr. Marvin Caruthers is being honored for important work. He developed automated technology for synthesizing DNA. That, in turn, has enabled scientists to carry out genetic sequencing for drug and vaccine development, cancer diagnostics and the like.
Merkin called his work “transformative,” and in a statement, said: “I hope this prize not only raises awareness of this work, but underscores and encourages others to realize the broader importance of developing new scientific technologies to transform health care.”
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It’s often said that students who want to go into the skilled trades don’t get much love when it comes to internships, career programs and the like. But the Smidt Foundation is doing something to correct that.
About 400 middle and high school students in such places as Artesia, Canoga Park, El Segundo, La Mirada and San Pedro are earning school credit this summer as they get hands-on experience learning about auto repair, carpentry, welding and such. And they’re getting paid.
The foundation was established by Eric Smidt, the owner and founder of Calabasas-based Harbor Freight Tools. The program says demand is great for “all who build, maintain, and repair L.A.’s vast infrastructure and build new housing. Yet skilled trades career pathways are not offered in most L.A. County public high schools.”
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Angelenos wanting to travel to London have a new, low-cost option: Norse Atlantic Airways, which started flying from Los Angeles International airport to London Gatwick on June 30.
Tickets cost as little as $209, including taxes and fees, for a one-way, direct flight in the economy section. However, return flights may cost more. The airline also has a premium cabin, which, according to its website, costs roughly twice as much, at least for many dates in August. It has three fare options that allow more baggage and more flexibility to change tickets, among other offerings, for those agreeing to pay more.
Norse Atlantic began flying a year ago and has a fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The Insider is compiled by Editor-in-Chief Charles Crumpley. He can be reached at [email protected].
