Spotlight on…

Aggie Pride at the OlympicsPhoto: Kim Conley running

Yes, they'll be running (Kim Conley), swimming (Scott Weltz) and kayaking (Carrie Johnson) in the wee hours of the morning, local time. But so what? We have three Aggies in the Olympics and, thanks to the modern convenience of alarm clocks and live Web streaming, we'll be able to watch them all compete — never mind the eight-hour time difference between Davis and London. [ More, with video… ]

NEWS SUMMARY

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

Our stem cell researchers awarded $53 million

UC Davis Health System researchers who are working to speed therapies to patients suffering from critical diseases were awarded three research grants on Thursday totaling $53 million by the state's stem cell agency. Each of the research studies that can now begin at UC Davis are specifically designed to lead to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of human clinical trials using stem cells and regenerative therapies. [ More, with video… ]

New endowed chair blends science and humanities

Educating a generation raised on video games, Professor Colin Milburn makes use of students' literacy in interactive media — coaxing poetry and literature off the pages and into the third dimension. Milburn, an associate professor of English, is newly appointed to the inaugural Gary Snyder Endowed Chair in Science and the Humanities, a position in which he will further develop his research and teaching at the intersection of the sciences and humanities. [ More, with video… ]

De la Torre appointed interim vice chancellor for student affairs

Adela de la Torre, an agricultural and health economist and nationally recognized expert on Latino and Chicano health issues, has been appointed interim vice chancellor for student affairs as UC Davis launches a national search for a permanent replacement for Fred Wood. [ More… ]

Introducing the new campus budget model: a timely list of FAQs

Earlier this month, UC Davis launched a new incentive-based budget model that better reflects our growing dependence on funds generated on campus, particularly tuition and indirect costs recovered from research activity. What does it mean? How does it work? We thought you'd ask that. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. [ More… ]

Hutchison Drive in line for $3.7 million makeover

It curves and dips through a small grove of trees, and is so narrow in one particular spot that two buses cannot go through at the same time. The pavement is cracked and marred with potholes and ruts. Bicycle parking spills into the street. The sidewalk in some sections is bumpy asphalt. Now, Hutchison Drive is getting a $3.7 million makeover that could begin as early as this winter, with completion by the time school starts in fall 2013. [ More, with slide show… ]

Name change honors late chemistry professor, Peter Rock

The Chem 194 lecture hall has a new name: Peter A. Rock Hall. The name might seem more appropriate for a geology classroom, but make no mistake, this hall is still all about chemistry. [ More… ]

Two new endowments support violence prevention research

Two new endowments will help advance the innovative work of the health system's 20-year-old UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program. Dr. Garen J. Wintemute's program addresses the causes, nature and prevention of violence, focusing on developing effective public policy related to firearms. Read a recent UC Davis Magazine profile of Wintemute, and listen to a recent radio interview regarding the Aurora, Colo., tragedy. [ More… ]

LAURELS: Writing program director wins national award

Carl Whithaus, director of the University Writing Program, recently received a national award for exemplary scholarship and professional service in the field of computers and writing. ... Boom: A Journal of California, edited by Professors Carolyn de la Peña and Louis Warren, is among the Library Journal's picks for "best magazines" of 2011. ... Plus other faculty honors. [ More… ]

Vintner creates interesting new wines from research grapes

"We are looking for grapes that make superior fruit in warm climates," said Matthew Fidelibus, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in UC Davis' Department of Viticulture and Enology. Fidelibus is supervising the production of winegrape varieties that were collected from countries such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where the climate mimics the valley's hot days and warm evenings. In the research plot, the vines exhibit a wide range of vigor, productivity and fruit quality. [ More, with video… ]

DIRECTIVES and ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT: Mediator Aidam moving to UCDHS; service continues

The Mediation Services director, Matilda Aidam, is leaving Aug. 1 for the UC Davis Health System, where she will serve as supervisor of Training and Mediation. Susan M. Gilbert, associate vice chancellor of Human Resources, said the campus will determine next steps for the campus mediation program, and, during this assessment, contract mediators will provide mediation service. [ More… ]

EVENTS

COSMOS Lecture: 'Why STEM Is So Important for Your Future and for America's'

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 1 p.m., Activities and Recreation Center Ballroom

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, an electrical engineer who has 19 patents in wireless technology, will discuss what attracted her to engineering and the value of choosing STEM for your studies, research and career. [ More… ]

Global forums with Humphrey fellows at International House

Friday, Aug. 3, 1-5 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 9, 2-5 p.m.

UC Davis Extension is sponsoring two Humphrey Fellowship Global Forums, where mid-career professionals from around the world will introduce themselves and talk about their work in fields that range from communications, public health policy, and human trafficking policy and prevention to natural resources, environmental policy and climate change. Both forums are set to take place at International House, 10 College Place, and are free and open to the public. [ More… ]

More calendar listings…