about salk

Unlocking the secrets
of life itself.

Our team of world-class, award-winning scientists pushes the boundaries of knowledge in areas such as neuroscience, cancer research, aging, immunobiology, plant biology, computational biology, and more. Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge.

Learn more about Salk and our life-changing research

Unlocking the secrets
of life itself.

Our team of world-class, award-winning scientists pushes the boundaries of knowledge in areas such as neuroscience, cancer research, aging, immunobiology, plant biology, computational biology, and more. Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge.

Learn more about Salk and our life-changing research

Board of Trustees

  • Marna C. Whittington, PhD (Chair)
  • Richard A. Heyman, PhD (Vice Chair)
  • Markus Reinhard (Vice Chair)
  • Janelle Ayres
  • Wolfgang Busch
  • David Dolby
  • Frederick J. Dotzler
  • Jay Flatley
  • Carol Gallagher, PharmD
  • Edwin K. Hunter, JD
  • Lyn Hutton
  • Amy Jacobs
  • Sanjay K. Jha, PhD
  • Gerald Joyce, MD, PhD
  • Mark Knickrehm
  • Benjamin H. Lewis, MD
  • Daniel C. Lewis
  • Corinne Mentzelopoulos
  • Howard H. Newman, PhD
  • Frederik Paulsen, PhD
  • Terry Rosen, PhD
  • Eric Sagerman
  • Mary Jane Salk
  • Timothy M. Schoen
  • Reuben Shaw, PhD
  • Haeyoung Kong Tang, PhD
  • Daniel Tierney
  • Irving Weissman, MD

Help fund our research

If you would like to help, please consider a donation and give to our life-changing research