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 Putting waste to work"We're helping businesses and communities achieve their sustainability goals, while making a social and economic impact," says Professor Ruihong Zhang, inventor of a technology called "high-solids anaerobic digestion" — a means of efficiently converting food and agricultural waste into renewable energy here on campus and at two commercial plants in Sacramento. [ More… ] |
NEWS SUMMARY
More stories at Dateline UC Davis and UC Davis News and Information
Partnering with industry and government
Three programs this week demonstrate the strength of UC Davis collaborations:
- "An Exploration of Scientific Discovery, Innovation and Collaboration in Food, Agriculture and Health" — UC Davis and Mars, Incorporated, present this symposium, marking the official launch of the Innovation Institute for Food and Health, part of the World Food Center. (Jan. 14)
- "Disruptive Innovators: A New Look at Food and Agriculture" — Kai Ryssdal, host of American Public Media's "Marketplace," leads this discussion with investors and entrepreneurs thinking outside the box. Presented by UC Davis and The Aspen Institute. (Jan. 15)
- "Reimagining the Future of Innovation: Building Effective Collaborations Among Government, Universities and Industry" — Speakers include Reps. Ami Bera, John Garamendi and Doris Matsui, along with Matt Erskine, deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce. (Jan. 16)
National recognition for community engagement
UC Davis joins an elite list of U.S. universities recognized for community engagement locally and around the world. The classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching affirms what Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi describes as UC Davis' long and proud tradition of serving people and society. [ More, with audio from Provost Ralph J. Hexter… ]
Nearly 80,000 applicants for fall: A new record
UC Davis reports a record high 79,930 applications for enrollment this fall; freshman applications are up 6.8 percent to 64,582 and transfer applications are up 6.5 percent to 15,348. "Our strategic recruitment efforts, especially in California, have contributed to a wonderful pool of applicants," says Walter Robinson, associate vice chancellor of Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Planning. [ More, with audio from Walter Robinson… ]
Survey coming on 1-year-old smoke-free policy
At the one-year mark for the Davis campus's ban on smoking and all tobacco products, indoors and out, the steering committee that implemented the policy is exploring next steps "to ensure all have the right to breathe clean air." The committee announced that it will soon send a survey by email to all staff, faculty and students to evaluate the effectiveness of the smoke- and tobacco-free policy thus far and to assess the campus climate for future enforcement strategies. [ More… ]
'Grand Challenge' funding opportunity in brain science
The Office of Research and the School of Medicine's new Behavioral Health Center for Excellence have called for applications for BRAIN-STIM Awards of up to $200,000 for research aimed at stimulating and strengthening proposals for extramural funding associated with President Obama's BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies). [ More… ]
RESEARCH: Drug dramatically reduces diabetes symptoms in mice
Professor Bruce Hammock's lab discovered the potent enzyme inhibitor that is now proving effective in preventing and even reversing diabetes in genetically obese mice. [ More… ]
- Study casts doubt on mammoth-killing cosmic impact
- Ancient maize followed two paths into the Southwest
- EGGHEAD: Hybrid 'super mosquito' resistant to insecticide-treated bed nets
Communications help comes on preapproved vendor list
UC Davis departments can now quickly hire external marketing vendors who have been vetted and preapproved. Services provided by the vendors include freelance writing, graphic design, marketing strategy, media buying, mobile application design and development, photography, videography and website design. [ More… ]
Negotiations continue between Blue Shield and Sutter Health
UC Human Resources says there will be no disruption of care during a six-month transition period that began with termination of the Blue Shield-Sutter Health contract on Dec. 31. Negotiations are ongoing, and UC officials are optimistic the two sides will come to terms. "There is no need for employees or retirees to make changes at this time," HR officials said in a notice posted Jan. 9 on UCnet. [ More… ]
NEWS BRIEFS: A butterfly sighting, but no beer yet
Professor Art Shapiro and others are looking for the year's first cabbage white, but, if you want to win his contest, you'll need a photo or specimen. Plus…
- Management Skills Assessment Program
- Honoring MLK with Weekend of Service
- Department applications due Feb. 3 for Picnic Day
- UC Davis Medical Group plans Midtown Clinic
TRENDING: Follow the bouncing (basket)ball!
This week's social media highlights are all about basketball, men's and women's. A YouTube video shows Aggie fans storming the court in The Pavilion after the men's team defeated Long Beach State in overtime, on national TV. Aggie Pride was so electric that ESPNU quickly announced it's coming back Jan. 31. … On the women's side, "senior sharpshooter" Kelsey Harris leads the nation in three-point percentage. [ More, with video… ]
FEATURED COLLOQUIA
- Provost's Forum on the Public University and the Social Good — "Diversity and the University of California: Is it Possible?" With Patricia Gándara, research professor, Graduate School of Education and Information Sciences; and Gary Orfield, distinguished research professor of education, law, political science and urban planning. Both are from UCLA. (Jan. 14)
- "The Neurexin Enigma: Towards an Understanding of the Neurobiology of Synapse Formation and Neuropsychiatric Diseases" — Thomas C. Südhof, recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, in the MIND Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series. (Jan. 14)
- "Winemakers' Wingmen: Bird Conservation to Benefit Farming" — A conversation with conservation biologist Sara Kross, a postdoctoral fellow at UC Davis and The Nature Conservancy. Jared Shaw, associate professor of chemistry, hosts Kross in the "Science Café" series, presented by the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. (Jan. 14)
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DIRECTIVES
DIRECTIVE: Major changes to regulations for federally sponsored research
The Office of Research defines the university's initial implementation strategy for a smooth transition to the government's new Uniform Guidance for federal awards. [ More… ]
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Submission deadline Jan. 20 for abstracts for sessions, discussions and hands-on labs, IT Security Symposium at UC Davis — Open to IT professionals and administrative managers from all UC campuses.
- Nomination deadline Jan. 23: Excellence in Research Award (Academic Federation)
- Nomination deadline Jan. 23: Excellence in Teaching Awards (Academic Federation)
- Submission deadline extended to Jan. 30 for abstracts for posters and proposals for breakout sessions, UC Global Health Day — Open to UC students, fellows, faculty, staff and visiting scholars.
EVENTS
Bone Marrow Donor Registration
Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 14-15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Silo
Conducted by the Asian American Donor Program, which says there is a great need for bone marrow donors, particularly ages 18 to 44 who are from multiracial and multiethnic communities, because a patient is most likely to match with a donor from the same ethnic group. "Your heritage can help save a life! Register today. It only takes 10 minutes." [ More… ]
AT THE ARBORETUM: Walk with Warren
Wednesday, Jan. 14, noon-1 p.m., meet at the gazebo
Join Warren Roberts, arboretum superintendent emeritus, for a fun, informative stroll in the west end gardens. [ More… ]
EXHIBITIONS: Stone and flame
- Listening to the Stone: Original Inuit Art — Sculpture and prints, figurative and abstract, reflecting the wide range of techniques, materials and oral histories employed by contemporary Inuit artists. Through June 11, C.N. Gorman Museum, 1316 Hart Hall. Opening reception, 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14.
- Impromptu — Works by flame-working instructor Kim Nguyen. Through Feb. 4, Craft Center Gallery, South Silo. Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30.
Campus Community Book Project
- MIND Institute Resource Center — Open house and tour of the institute's art collection, consisting entirely of works by artists — children and adults — who have neurodevelopmental disorders. Wednesday, Jan. 14, open house from noon-3 p.m. and tour at 1 p.m., 2825 50th St., Sacramento.
- An Overview of MIND Institute Research — With Robin Hansen, director of Clinical Programs and the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2222 Education Building, 4610 X St., Sacramento campus.
- Panel: Living with Disability — UC Davis students share their experiences. Moderated by Susie Kisber, psychologist, Counseling and Psychological Services. 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, Learning Resource Center, Room 215, Sacramento City College, Davis Center, 1720 Jade St. (West Village).
MUSIC: Griffith Jazz Nonet
Thursday, Jan. 15, 12:05-1 p.m., Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Led by Sam Griffith, director of UC Davis Jazz Ensembles. Shinkoskey Noon Concert Series. Free. [ More… ]
SCREENING: Seeds of Time
Thursday, Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m., 1005 Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility
"From Rome to Russia and, finally, a remote island under the Arctic Circle, (Cary Fowler's) passionate and personal journey may hold the key to saving the one resource we cannot live without: our seeds." Followed by a discussion led by Professor Paul Gepts, whose research and teaching program focuses on crop biodiversity and genetic resources. [ More… ]