Posts Tagged: award

UC Riverside scientist receives national honor

UC Riverside plant cell biologist Jian-Kang Zhu has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Zhu's accomplishment was mentioned by UC Riverside Chancellor Timothy White in his "State of the Campus" address Wednesday, said a story on the Southwest Riverside County News Network website.

Zhu’s research focuses on the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying plant responses to adverse environments, such as salinity, drought and low temperature. His work has led to the identification of genes for modifying the responses of crops to environmental stresses, which will ultimately lead to major contributions to agriculture and the environment, the article said.

Zhu is “an uncommon, terrific scholar,” White was quoted.

A UC Riverside news service press release said Zhu's election brings the number of current UCR faculty elected to NAS to five. Chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences Jodie Holt said the award demonstrates the significance of Zhu's research to the scientific community.

“Many scientists come from around the world to work in his laboratory, which is further evidence of his expertise and reputation," Holt was quoted.

Jian-Kang Zhu speaks at a reception held in his honor at UC Riverside.

UCCE's Anna Martin recognized for anti-obesity efforts

The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program has singled out San Joaquin County's UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor, Anna Martin, for helping create a healthier community.

Martin was one of 16 people and organizations to receive Cultivator Awards at a ceremony Jan. 29, according to a CCROPP news release. CCROPP honors one person or organization in each San Joaquin Valley county. Martin was the recipient in San Joaquin County. Regional awards were also presented.

Martin is chair of the CCROPP Council, Healthy San Joaquin. She manages the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program for San Joaquin County and is a member of the San Joaquin County Nutrition and Activity Coalition.

According to the news release, the Cultivator Awards highlight and celebrate a broad range of obesity-prevention efforts with a direct focus on changing environments and policies that promote healthy lifestyles.

The CCROPP news release was picked up by the Stockton Record.

UC director receives farm bureau President's Award

The California Farm Bureau Federation presented the director of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Governmental and External Relations, Steve Nation, with a President's Award last night at its annual meeting in Anaheim, according to an article published on the AgAlert Web site today.

"Steve has worked closely with Farm Bureau leaders and staff to create better opportunities for all of us involved in the business of farming," farm bureau president Doug Mosebar was quoted in the story.

The article, written by Dave Kranz, says Nation began his association with the farm bureau in 1979 as executive director of the California Integrated Remote Sensing System. He joined the state Department of Conservation in 1980, and began working with the university in 1985.

Nation plans to retire at the end of February 2010.

Steve Nation

ANR prof wins undergraduate teaching award

Ed DePeters, a professor dedicated to educating the next generation of dairy professionals, has received the UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement, according to a news release distributed by UC Davis News Service. The honor comes with a $40,000 teaching prize, funded by the UC Davis Foundation.

DePeters’ research, which has been widely applied in the dairy industry, has focused on how the composition of milk, particularly the fatty-acid content, can be modified by changes in the cow’s diet, and how agricultural by-products such as almond hulls and cottonseed can be converted into nutritious feeds. His research has resulted in more than 120 scientific publications.

Reviews of DePeter's teaching by students are a testament to his effectiveness. Comments include:

• Very enthusiastic
• Really knows his material
• Very approachable
• Incredible teacher
• Funny and gifted
• The most motivated and dedicated teacher
• A great guy and awesome prof
• I love this class; it’s top priority

The release said DePeters knows how to make his college classes fun. He requires students to wear “I Love Milk” buttons during their spring quarter dairy class, passes out specially made “I Want to Be a Nutritionist” pens as rewards, and has students throw darts at a dartboard to select the animal species they will study in their animal feeds and nutrition class. On Fridays during his spring quarter dairy production course, he vies with students to see who has the best cow-themed T-shirt.

Ed DePeters

Early career award goes to UC scientist

Congratulations to Valerie Eviner, assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. She received the 2007 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers last Friday. Her research was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, according to a USDA news release

USDA nominated Eviner for her research in developing a creative method to manage rangeland and quantify its productivity. Eviner involved students, ranchers, research and extension centers, and environmental organizations to provide students with practical experience in using scientific research to answer to relevant management problems, the release said.

Commissioned by President Clinton in 1996, the Presidential Award honors and supports the achievements of young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers, according to the National Institutes of Health Web site. The Presidential Award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.

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