The San Diego Chapter of ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) hosted the 2023 Scientist of the Year Celebration on May 7 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla.

This year’s honoree was the director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Margaret Leinen, an award-winning oceanographer and distinguished national and international leader in ocean science, global climate and environmental issues.

ARCS San Diego also paid tribute to this year’s ARCS Scholars, along with distinguished ARCS Scholar alumnus Forest Rohwer, a renowned marine microbial ecologist at SDSU.

The event began with hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the Wu Tsai Courtyard, and then moved into the main Baker-Baum Concert Hall, where attendees watched a video collage introducing this year’s scholars. Rohwer and Leinen also gave presentations about the importance of ocean research.

Event co-chairs were ARCS members Kristin Boyd and Gwynn Thomas.

More than $130,000 was raised at the celebration to benefit future ARCS Scholars. Since its inception in 1985, the San Diego Chapter of ARCS has given more than $11.8 million to support graduate students at four local institutions: UCSD, SDSU, USD, and Scripps Research.

The ARCS Foundation is a national organization with 15 chapters nationwide. It provides financial awards to graduate students pursuing degrees in science, engineering and medical research.

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