Dateline archive:

Roving professor, faculty honors, ANR move — 3.28.13

UC Davis FRIDAY UPDATE

3.28.2013

News and information for faculty and staff


Today's issue is a day early because of tomorrow's Cesar Chavez Day holiday.

—The Friday Update staff

Spotlight on…
Photo: Dawn Sumner on screen

'Reaching out, beyond Earth'

Geology professor Dawn Sumner never thought she would work on another planet — but here she is, doing the next best thing, as a member of the Mars Science Laboratory Team. In one video from the UC office of the President, she describes the rover Curiosity, and in another, she takes us on a virtual reality, 3-D journey to the Red Planet, using photos from the Curiosity. [ More, with video… ]

NEWS SUMMARY

More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information

State, UC Davis committed to finding solutions to climate change

Tweets from last week's Climate-Smart Agriculture conference at UC Davis, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, include one from the chair of the state Air Resources Board, saying, "California has 'long history' of coming up with 'creative solutions' to address climate change." Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi agreed, saying in her remarks that UC Davis remains committed to research "that will bring us tangible solutions." [ More… ]

Stem cell elevator pitch: First floor, neurons; second floor, muscle cells

Researcher Paul Knoepfler has added a unique honor to his curriculum vitae: He is among the winners of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine's first-ever Elevator Pitch Challenge. The state stem cell agency's idea was to have scientists try to explain in about 30 seconds or less — the time it takes an elevator to go a few floors — what they do, why it's important and why the public should care. [ More, with video… ]

Most young Californians failed to vote

More than two-thirds, or 2 million, of California's eligible young adults failed to vote in the 2012 general election, according to new research from the Center for Regional Change. That's despite a significant increase in 18- to 24-year-olds who registered to vote, especially online. [ More… ]

King Arthur, no; great tacos, yes; Wikipedia, wrong

Wikipedia started it, Google search picked it up and UC Davis Marketing Director Tom Hinds corrected it. He told The Huffington Post: King Arthur does not lead the campus, but we're proud of our Medieval and Early Modern Studies Program, and, as for the "taco school" reference, he said he gladly recommends the tacos from a pair of food trucks and the CoHo's TxMx Grill. [ More… ]

LAURELS: Iacovelli wins set design award for Waiting for Godot

Professor John Iacovelli wins the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his Waiting for Godot set design. … Colin Carter of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has been declared a "commodity-friendly professor," recognized for providing the public with a better understanding of the complex commodities market. … The national Beef Quality Assurance program recognizes Cooperative Extension veterinarian John Maas as Educator of the Year. … Plus more honors for faculty and staff. [ More, with slide show… ]

Student employees make the best meat products 5 years in a row

Get a taste of this lineup: linguiça in 2009, chorizo in 2010, smoked summer sausage in 2011, fresh pork sausage in 2012 and, for 2013, low-sodium fresh pork sausage. UC Davis Meat Lab student employees produced all of these in grand champion style, in the collegiate division, five years in a row, as judged in the California Association of Meat Processors' annual convention and cured meat show. [ More… ]

150 ANR employees to move out of UC Davis buildings

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources will consolidate many of its Davis operations, relocating them to a former indoor roller hockey rink in east Davis. After renovation, the building will become the administrative home for several of ANR's statewide programs, including Integrated Pest Management, Master Gardener and 4-H, plus nine research and extension centers, and Cooperative Extension advisers in 57 of the state's 58 counties. [ More… ]

NEWS BRIEFS: Freshman 'decision day' is a Saturday event now

Freshman "decision day" is set for Saturday, April 6, a switch from Friday, thus taking pressure off campus parking on a weekday. ... Geospatial Consulting @ UC Davis is open for business. ... The UC Davis Farmers Market returns for spring quarter. ... Soaring to New Heights ticket deadline extended to April 1. [ More… ]

DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Search updates for UCDHS-medical school, CAES deans

UC Davis has launched a nationwide recruitment for the new vice chancellor for Human Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. … Town hall meetings in Salinas and Irvine have been scheduled to discuss the qualifications that UC Davis should be looking for in the next dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. [ More… ]

EVENTS

Imagine! 'Big reveal' of three museum designs

Wednesday, April 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Conference Center

See what the design-build teams envision for the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, and give your feedback. … Together Again, opening Tuesday (April 2), brings back former exhibitors to the C.N. Gorman Museum. Other openings at the Design Museum (undergraduate show) and the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center (watercolors by Peter Shahrokh of the UC Davis staff). [ More… ]

Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Student Symposium

Thursday-Friday, April 4-5, Conference Center, and Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center

More than 200 students will share their research and creativity, via talks and panels, posters, artistic displays and performances. [ More… ]

Spring into health: Mind Body Wellness Challenge and Stride for Pride

Thursday, April 4 (Healthy Activity Fair), and Sunday, April 7 (stride)

Get your Mind Body Wellness Challenge going at the Healthy Activity Fair; release time with supervisory approval is appropriate. Health screenings and education, plus giveaways and prizes. … Lace up your running or walking shoes for the first 5K Stride for Aggie Pride, a fundraiser for scholarships and an emergency fund for students. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…