There’s been much talk of atmospheric rivers here in California, where many are experiencing extreme weather conditions. Like all of us, I am thinking of the members of our University of California community who have been impacted by floods and other storm-related events.

On happier news, I introduced Jay Stachowicz, this year’s recipient of the UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement, at a gala in his honor on first of the month. Jay is an exemplary mentor, scientist and colleague—and very deserving of this recognition. And speaking of recognition, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, a professor of evolution and ecology, was recently awarded a $100,000 prize from the National Academy of Sciences for his work with maize. Our faculty really are a source of inspiration. My congratulations to them both for their achievements.

I am also very pleased to share that two of the college’s Campaign Leadership Council members are among our largest donors for the 2023-24 year. I wish to express my deep gratitude to Steve and Tammy Conston, and Ron and Diane Smith for their gifts of $325,000 and $175,000, respectively, and their ongoing commitment to supporting current and future CBS students.

There are also two notable events on the horizon. The Center for Neuroscience’s ever-popular NeuroFest returns on Saturday, March 9 with a focus on the critical role that neural pathways play in how we build relationships, learn and remember. And then, on March 15, the college’s Alumni Game Changers event features Nobel Laureate Charles Rice and NFL star Rolf Benirschke. Both events are free and open to the public.

Finally, Valentine’s Day is almost here. I hope you will keep an eye out for the latest Peek at the Conservatory video, which will be a special Valentine’s Day edition. (Spoiler alert: it’ll be about chocolate.)

Meanwhile, go Ags!

______________



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 Microbiology and Molecular Genetics indicates the protein En1 is involved in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. (Jihao “Reno” Xu / UC Davis)



Researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics received a grant to study how egg cells change over time, with the goal of understanding why female fertility rapidly declines starting in the mid-30s.

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A new study from the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology looks at a beetle with a unique, 48-hour cycle—the large black chafer beetle, Holotrichia parallela, which has a “circa-bi-dian” clock.

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Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra was awarded the NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences for his “pioneering studies on the evolutionary genetics of maize, a key crop species for global food production.” 

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Ben Cox and Rebecca McGillivary, postdocs in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, are among 10 early career scientists selected to receive Hartwell Biomedical Research Fellowships.

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The $325,000 gift will establish the Steven and Tammy Conston Neuroscience Excellence Award, which will allow graduate students to compete for seed funding by pitching their work under a time limit.

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Ron and Diane Smith have given $175,000 to establish an award that will support undergraduate research experiences in the cutting-edge, interdisciplinary field of quantitative biology. 

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