The Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation was established in 1959 by Delia Baxter in memory of her husband, an accomplished physician and engineer who developed the first commercially prepared intravenous solutions. The foundation’s partnership with Scripps Research dates to the early 1990s, starting with the support of early-career faculty and the education of the institution’s graduates.
What is it about Donald E. Baxter’s contributions to science that have fueled the foundation’s mission?
Donald E. Baxter was a pioneering American physician and medical inventor known primarily for his significant contributions to the fi eld of intravenous therapy. Our work as a family foundation honors his dedication to the innovation and application of scientific principles to solve practical problems in medicine.
How do you hope to inspire other potential philanthropic partners through your work with Scripps Research?
Two things we do as a foundation that I think make us stand out are that we visit the Scripps Research campus in person annually and that we put very limited restrictions on our grants. We know and trust that the scientists we fund will make the best use of the money. Every year, we enjoy hearing updates on how previous awardees have been able to fund new research, purchase valuable equipment, employ students in their labs, share their work at conferences, or otherwise work to improve medical science.
We hope to inspire other philanthropic partners to take the time to build a relationship with Scripps Research so they can trust the scientists they fund. It’s so rewarding to visit every year and hear about the difference our awardees are making and the exciting proposals we choose our awardees from.
What is it about Scripps Research, specifically, that is important to the Baxter Foundation?
Both Scripps Research and the Baxter Foundation share a common goal of advancing medical science to improve patient care. Donald Baxter’s work focused on creating practical medical solutions, which had immediate and widespread clinical applications, and we value how Scripps Research also emphasizes translational research, aiming to convert scientifi c discoveries into real-world medical applications and therapies.
Is there a specific focus of the foundation that led to the creation of the Young Investigator award?
The board of the foundation is passionate about helping launch the careers of emerging scientists. We created the Young Investigator award to help alleviate some of the fi nancial stress that comes with being an early-career scientist and are proud to see the creative and innovative work the Young Investigators have achieved. We also recognize that existing funding and results lead to even bigger funding and more impressive results—the opportunity to help scientists gain momentum is something we are so grateful to be a part of.
What recommendations do you have for early-career scientists pursing high-risk investigations in their work or studies?
Invest time in building your communication skills. Science communication can be challenging, but as funders who are not nearly as trained as these skilled researchers, we are constantly impressed by the clear and effective way Scripps Research’s candidates share their work. Being able to explain your work and tailor your message to specifi c audiences is something we believe can make a difference in the success of a lab.
What breakthroughs or accomplishments at Scripps Research are you most looking forward to seeing develop further?
Keren Lasker, PhD, a recipient of the 2023 Baxter Young Investigator award, blew us away with her update this year on her work to develop treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. She shared with us that since she proposed her work in 2023, her lab has hit critical milestones and is confi dently moving towards modeling therapeutic strategies and will be competitive in securing signifi cant funding. We are excited about all the research that our awardees have done, but work toward treating Alzheimer’s is something close to our hearts.
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