Spotlight on…

Teaching prize awarded to soil science professor

Photo: Randu Dahlgren

The phrase "dull as dirt" does not apply to Professor Randy Dahlgren's soil science classes. Especially not Thursday, when Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi interrupted his "Crisis in the Environment?" class with a cake to announce that he is the recipient of the 2012 UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement. [ More… ]

NEWS SUMMARY

Mondavi Center announces 10th anniversary season

The Mondavi Center sure knows how to please a crowd — just ask the 100,000 people, on average, who have attended every year since the center opened in 2002. Now comes the 10th anniversary season, with another amazing lineup, including the San Francisco Symphony; Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman; the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the newly revived Dance Theatre of Harlem; and Bonnie Raitt, Wynton Marsalis and Ravi Shankar. [ More… ]

Campus forum: 'Freedom of Expression in the University: Rights and Challenges'

At an open forum Tuesday (April 10), the student assistants to the chancellor seek to engage the campus community in a conversation on how to encourage freedom of expression on a college campus in the context of civility and respect for one another. Panelists will include Vik Amar and Alan Brownstein, law professors, and Chris McCroy of the UC Davis Civility Project. [ More… ]

Robosquirrels versus rattlesnakes

Robot squirrels designed here are going into rattlesnake country near San Jose, continuing a research project on the interaction between squirrels and rattlesnakes. The story has garnered a lot of media attention, including this Los Angeles Times article. [ More, with video… ]

Professor says, uh, yes, we teach American history

History professor Eric Rauchway says "there is certainly no substantial truth" in presidential candidate Rick Santorum's claim that "seven or eight of the California system of universities don't even teach an American history course." MSNBC's Rachel Maddow used the UC Davis course catalog to challenge Santorum. [ More… ]

Laurels: HArCS faculty win learned societies fellowships

Coveted fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies will support faculty members Noah Guynn, Hsuan L. Hsu and Keith David Watenpaugh in their book projects on medieval French farces, Mark Twain and human rights in the Middle East. ... Other faculty honors include a pair of waterfowl conservation awards for Professor John Eadie. ... Also: the Princeton Review includes Tom Famula in the new guidebook, The Best 300 Professors. [ More… ]

Assembly honors intern-career counselor Barnes

Ken Barnes, a program coordinator in the Internship and Career Center, took the spotlight recently in the state Capitol when he received an Assembly resolution honoring him for his exemplary work at UC Davis. "I'm proud of the work he's done to promote opportunities for his students, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented," said Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), who presented the resolution, only the third of her legislative career. [ More… ]

Teen sleep study shows link between timing of brain and sexual maturation

In the largest longitudinal study to date of electrical activity in the brains of sleeping adolescents, UC Davis scientists have discovered that the timing of brain maturation is associated with the timing of puberty. Their findings provide and important benchmark for evaluating adolescent-onset mental illnesses. [ More… ]

Safety Spotlight: Job safety analysis, personal protective equipment

By understanding what can go wrong in your workplace, you can take steps to prevent job-related injuries and illnesses, UC safety officials say in promoting job safety analyses. The analyses help define the personal protective equipment that you need, and safe work procedures. Learn more in this month's Safety Spotlight. [ More… ]

News briefs: Faculty funding workshop on Fulbright opportunities

RSVPs are being taken for a faculty funding workshop on the topic of Fulbright opportunities for U.S. citizens. ... International House is looking for flag bearers for the Picnic Day Parade — enough people to carry 124 flags from around the world. ... UC is working to resume payroll deductions for employee contributions to ScholarShare, the California college savings plan. ... University Communications needs your help identifying the recipients of the University Medal for students in 1968, 2003 and 2004. ... Peter "Dr. Hammerhead" Klimley joins the National Geographic Channel's Shark Men. ... The next ASUCD blood drive is set for April 17-18 in The Pavilion. ... UC faculty and staff are invited to participate in a free webinar on identity theft on Tuesday (April 10). [ More… ]

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

DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS

No directives or announcements were issued this week.

EVENTS

Davis Feminist Film Festival

Thursday and Friday, April 12-13, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Center Theatre, 203 E. 14th St. (at B Street)

The Davis Feminist Film Festival includes a special preview screening of UC Davis faculty member Julie Wyman's new documentary Strong! [ More… ]

Gaming the Game: Tweaking, Cheating, Hacking, Creeping

Thursday-Friday, April 12-13, starts at 9:30 a.m. both days, Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center

Conference addressing the challenges posed simultaneously by new interactive media and new structures of technopolitical power. Free. [ More… ]

The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science and Reality

Friday, April 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Ballroom A, Activities and Recreation Center

Author Chris Mooney discusses his new book about the psychological factors contributing to today's polarized political environment. Free. [ More… ]

Plant sales: One just for us, one for everyone

Friday, April 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (UC Davis affiliates only) and Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (general public)

Are you a commuter who can't get to the arboretum's weekend plant sales? Then come to a private sale for UC Davis affiliates only, April 13. The sale, with the theme 3Bs: Birds, Bees and Beneficials, continues the next day for the general public. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…