Spotlight on…

Has the tree of life sprouted a new branch?Photo: Jonathan Eisen

Evolutionary biologist Jonathan Eisen gets double feature treatment in the journal Nature. His DNA research, which is sparking a debate about a possible fourth branch of the tree of life, is the subject of a feature story in the Aug. 4 issue, and he is also interviewed in depth for the journal's weekly podcast. [ More… ]

NEWS SUMMARY

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

Defining our future: Next steps, including Burtis appointment

Having received positive feedback about her proposal for a strategic process of campus growth, as a means to create new opportunities for UC Davis and the surrounding region, Chancellor Katehi says she is enthusiastic about moving forward with further discussions of the concept. In this letter on next steps, she says Professor Ken Burtis, former dean of the College of Biological Sciences, has agreed to assist in the effort, serving as the liaison with the various constituencies involved and coordinating the strategic planning effort. [ More… ]

Ohio State's Lairmore named dean of veterinary medicine

Michael D. Lairmore, a veterinarian, cancer researcher and top administrator at The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the new dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Also, UC Davis executives recently announced the appointments of Walter Robinson to lead Undergraduate Admissions and Cindy Kiel as executive associate vice chancellor in the Office of Research. [ More… ]

Climate change, algae make 2010 a tough year for Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe clarity dropped in 2010, but the rate of decline in clarity over the past decade remains slower compared with previous decades, according to UC Davis scientists who have monitored the lake for more than 40 years. Researchers say the findings underscore the need for increased monitoring and continued collaborative management of the lake by both California and Nevada. [ More… ]

Solar panels replace trees in south entry parking lot

The Davis campus is preparing to "park" more than 1,200 solar-energy collector panels in Lot 1 immediately south of the south entry parking garage, to feed the campus's electrical system and reduce our carbon footprint. To make way for the carport-like solar structures, the campus Grounds and Landscape Services unit this week cut down 38 ornamental Bradford pear trees. [ More… ]

See the Blue and Gold Scrimmage, and Meet the Aggies, too

The Blue and Gold Scrimmage comes with something extra this year: Meet the Aggies, a festival for Aggie football fans of all ages, with picture-taking and autographs, guided tours and an invitation to young people to take to the field before the scrimmage to warm up with the players. The fan fest and scrimmage are all free, the evening of Thursday, Aug. 25, at Aggie Stadium. [ More… ]

Researchers: Everyone loses in battle over genetically engineered salmon

The federal review process for genetically engineered food animals, now being applied to fast-growing salmon, is tortuously drawn out, scientifically unjustified, and likely to rob society of both environmental and economic benefits, UC Davis researchers argue in the journal Nature Biotechnology. [ More… ]

Thanking organ donor families for the gift of life

Richard V. Perez, chief of the kidney transplant program at the UC Davis Medical Center, is working each day to honor and recognize the families of organ donors for the generous gift of life by carrying out a seemingly simple gesture: a face-to-face thank you. [ More… ]

High school students shine in UC Davis stem cell labs

Summer vacation for high school students doesn't typically consist of working inside the world's most advanced scientific laboratories. But for a group of talented California teens, that's exactly what this summer entailed. An innovative program sponsored by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine encouraged several dozen students from around the state to work with stem cell scientists at major universities, including UC Davis. [ More… ]

News briefs: Antivirus software, Hyatt Place, gas leak test

Change is afoot in how everyone affiliated with the Davis campus outfits their computers with antivirus software. … The developer of the Hyatt Place UC Davis has confirmed a switch in management companies for the hotel. … PG&E flew helicopters at low altitudes over UC Davis and elsewhere in Yolo and Solano counties Aug. 9 to 11 in a gas leak detection test. [ More… ]

DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS

No directives or announcements were issued this week.

EVENTS

Exhibition: 2nd Friday program at the Nelson

Friday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m., Nelson Gallery

Today brings the Davis community's 2nd Friday ArtAbout, this month including a special program at the Nelson Gallery. The featured guest is Nathan Cordero, the Sacramento artist whose work the Nelson is featuring now in an exhibition titled Are You Destined to Become Your Mother? [ More… ]

SummerMusic on the Quad: Non Stop Bhangra

Saturday, Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m., the Quad

DJ Jimmy Love and the Dholrhythms Dance Company bring their celebration of Punjabi folk music and dance to the Quad in the second and final program in this year's free SummerMusic series. The Quad opens at 6 p.m. for picnicking. [ More… ]

Fundraiser helps medical school's Kenya Project

Saturday, Aug. 20, 7-11 p.m., California Auto Museum, 2200 Front St., Sacramento

The School of Medicine's Kenya Project is selling tickets for its second annual Wine and Art Auction, being held in conjunction with a 1950s and '60s dance party. The event is a fundraiser to help with the project's annual mission to Kenya, where second-year medical students work in clinics, learn more about public health issues in that medically underserved country, and conduct research on issues affecting community and international health. [ More… ]

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