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A Lot Still Ahead

moving quickly toward the homestretch

Sometimes I think time must be moving in fast-forward. The quarter ends in two weeks, and our students are gearing up for their final exams, which are followed by a welcome break and then it’s spring quarter — already.

Another thing that’s just around the corner is our first-ever Alumni Game Changers event, featuring Nobel Laureate Charles Rice and NFL star Rolf Benirschke, on Wednesday, March 15. Charles was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2020 for being the first to successfully culture the Hepatitis C virus. His work helped cure millions of people, including Rolf Benirschke. I hope you will join us for what promises to be a terrific conversation between two of our most famous and esteemed alumni.

We’ve also seen new faculty laurels since the start of the quarter. Celina Juliano, an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology who studies the regenerative capabilities of Hydra vulgaris, was named a UC Davis Chancellor's Fellow. And Walter Leal, a distinguished professor of molecular and cellular biology, received the Academic Senate’s Faculty Research Award, making him the first-ever UC Davis faculty member to receive all three of the Senate’s awards for teaching, public service and research. My congratulations to both Celina and Walter!

There’s a lot still ahead, though the remainder of this academic year is quickly passing. As I always do, I wish each of our 6,000 students the very best of luck on their finals, and I look forward to seeing them all again for the start of the last quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, go Ags!

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Mark Winey, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Biological Sciences

Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Featured image: A new study from the Department of Plant Biology tested the chemical ebselen’s ability to prevent fungal infections on a range of plants, including the tobacco plant, Nicotiana benthamiana. (Sasha Bakhter/ UC Davis)

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Join Us for a Conversation Between Two of Our Most Famous Alumni

Charles Rice, who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for his work as the first to culture the Hepatitis C virus, and NFL placekicker Rolf Benirschke will discuss the discoveries that led to treatments for the Hepatitis C virus that cured Benirschke and countless others.

>> Register

Research & Discovery

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Supporting Non-Linear Science Careers Strengthens Academia

Maria Maldonado, a Professor in the Department of Plant Biology, contributed to a recent paper highlighting the benefits of diversifying academia by supporting individuals from underrepresented groups and varied backgrounds.

>> Read more

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New Research Identifies Protein Integral to Sperm Development and Male Fertility

Researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics identified a protein that protects the stability of the genome during the formation of sperm. Their work could elucidate possible causes of male infertility.

>> Read more

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Postdoctoral Researcher Explores Regeneration in the "Reemerging" Hydra

Ben Cox, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, studies regeneration in Hydra vulgaris, a small cnidarian organism distantly related to the jellyfish.

>> Read more

Research Spotlight

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Plant Biologists Identify Promising New Fungicides

Researchers in the Department of Plant Biology discovered that the chemical ebselen prevented fungal infections in apples, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes and roses, and improved symptoms of pre-existing fungal infection in rice.

>> Read more

Awards & Laurels

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Celina Juliano Named 2023-24 Chancellor's Fellow

Juliano, an associate professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, studies the regenerative capabilities of Hydra vulgaris, and was recognized as an effective trainer of the next generation of developmental biologists.

>> Read more

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Distinguished Professor Walter Leal Receives Academic Senate's 2024 Faculty Research Award

Leal, a distinguished professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, has made history as the first UC Davis faculty member to be honored by the Academic Senate with all three of its awards, which celebrate outstanding teaching, public service and research.

>> Read more

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Take a "Peek" at the Cacao Tree for a Glimpse at Where Chocolate Comes From

Did you know that the cacao tree is pollinated by tiny flies? Or that its flowers grow on its trunk? Last month was Valentine's Day, and the students in the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory shared some of their favorite cacao facts.

>> Take a look

Campus & Community

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Meet the 2023-24 BioBooster Student Club Officers

BioBoosters empowers CBS students to forge meaningful connections, organize engaging social events, connect students with CBS faculty and research, and proudly represent our university through sales of branded swag.

>> Read more

Attention UC Davis Alumni!

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>> Update your alumni information here

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UC Davis acknowledges the land on which it stands. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people, who have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.

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