Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies announces Michael E. Augustine

as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 Institute is pleased to welcome back the former Florida resident

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies announces Michael “Mike” Augustine as its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the overall financial affairs of the Institute’s operations. 

Mr. Augustine has over 21 years of non-profit financial experience. He has overseen many projects including restructuring of financial  processes, oversight for a $45 million endowment fund, implementation and design of pension plans, multi-million dollar contract negotiations and development of policies and procedures for nonprofit organizations.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience to the position,” said Dr. Richard A. Houghten, Torrey Pines Institute’s President and CEO.  “We are excited that he has joined our team.”

Mr. Augustine, who will be based out of Florida, will have full responsibility for all aspects of financial management and reporting.  His responsibilities include oversight for both locations in the areas of accounting, reporting, budgeting, cost management, grants and contracts management, and analysis of the Institute’s financial plans and performance.

“I am eager to get to work for the Institute,” said Mr. Augustine.  “I started my career on the Treasure Coast 21 years ago and had a wonderful experience. I am very excited to be part of Torrey Pines Institute and look forward to making meaningful and lasting contributions.”

Mr. Augustine received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from the California University of Pennsylvania and his Master’s in Business Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. He started his career as a staff accountant working on the Harbor Branch/Seapharm project in 1987. After six years at Harbor Branch, Mr. Augustine joined the West Virginia Higher Education System as Director of Finance and Administration for the statewide computing and telecommunications network in Morgantown, West Virginia.  For the past ten years, he has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), responsible for the overall financial, administrative, information technology, audit and human resources departments of the non-profit organization, which also provided oversight for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. 

Mr. Augustine is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and has participated as a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, West Virginia Society of CPAs and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. He was also a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. 

About Torrey Pines Institute

Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies is a non-profit research center dedicated to conducting basic research to advance the understanding of human disease and the improvement of human health.   Scientists at the Institute conduct research in fields of multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, Types I and II diabetes, macular degeneration, pain management, Alzheimer’s, inflammatory disorders, AIDS and other infectious diseases, regenerative medicine, obesity, transplant rejection, muscle wasting syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and new methods for drug discovery.  The Institute fosters an innovative research environment, believing that multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches accelerate the discovery process.  Established in 1988 in San Diego, CA, the Institute is recognized worldwide as a leader in combinatorial chemistry and related drug discovery technologies. Torrey Pines Institute expanded into the State of Florida in 2006 and its 103,000 square foot, green-certified building in the Florida Center for Innovation will become the Institute’s headquarters in 2009.  

For more information on Torrey Pines Institute, please visit www.tpims.org

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