October 2011 News Archive

UCSC presents inaugural Sikh and Punjabi Studies conference Nov. 10-12

On November 10-12, leading scholars from the United States, Canada, and England will come together for the inaugural conference in Sikh and Punjabi Studies at UC Santa

UCSC cholera biofilm team wins Deloitte QB3 Award for Innovation

A team of UC Santa Cruz researchers working to find new drugs to fight cholera has won a $10,000 Award for

Open Enrollment 2012

The annual Open Enrollment period begins today (Monday, October 31) and ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22.

Leadership Academy Application Deadline November 1, 2011

The Academy provides a unique opportunity for cross-campus networking and for dialogue with the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor, and other campus leaders.

Excess nutrients threaten Elkhorn Slough ecosystem

A new study documents the effects of high nutrient levels in Elkhorn Slough, especially where water control structures limit tidal

Panelists to discuss renewable energy from the ocean in annual Norris Lecture Nov. 10

Panelists will explore the current prospects of deriving renewable energy from the ocean in the annual Ken Norris Memorial Lecture at the Seymour Center on Thursday, November 10.

Summer 2012 Orientation Dates

Please mark your calendars for the Summer 2012 Orientation dates for incoming frosh and transfer students.

UCTV Seminars now online and accepting submissions from researchers

University of California Television (UCTV) has launched a web portal that offers UC researchers a simple and cost-effective place to find and share peer-to-peer scholarly presentations in any academic discipline via video and visual media.

Crime bulletin: graffiti

Vandalism to property (3 incidents) - In all three incidents, unknown suspect(s) wrote derogatory words and offensive language in public urinal stalls. The graffiti was not directed toward any specific individual or organization.

Study finds early growth trajectories have long-term effects on fitness

Researchers describe how food supply and environmental conditions affect the growth rates of organisms, which in turn influence future survival and

"Terror Fresca" Halloween celebration at University Town Center

UCSC in the News

Biologist Marm Kilpatrick's research on West Nile virus was covered by the U.S. News & World Report, UPI, Health Day, Science Daily, RedOrbit, Infection Control Today, Doctors Lounge, Santa Cruz Sentinel, and News-Medical.net.

'Party small' campaign continuing this fall

UC Santa Cruz is once again this fall implementing its "Party Small—Gnome" campaign, which aims to decrease risk from alcohol use and promote safe drinking practices on and

Philanthropy Focus: Three Shakespeare Santa Cruz benefactors aim to make sure the show will go on

2011 Founders Celebration Dinner: recognizing extraordinary achievement

A Nobel-prize-winning cancer researcher, a biotech industry veteran, and a central figure in the founding of UC Santa Cruz, were among the honorees at the Founders Celebration gala

Baskin School of Engineering promotes increased participation of women in computing

During the past two years, the number of women majoring in computer science at UC Santa Cruz has increased by 40

National Cyber Security Awareness Month: Use strong passwords

2011 UCSC Foundation Forum: on the front lines of the cancer war

The UCSC Foundation Forum, “At the Dawn of Personalized Medicine," presented a rare, front-lines look at the future of personalized cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Online Web Chat with Human Resources VP Dwaine Duckett

This is just a quick reminder that you are invited to join Dwaine Duckett, UC’s vice president for Human Resources, today from 1 - 2 p.m. in an online web chat about the health care rates for 2012, UCRP contributions, revised staff layoff policy and UC’s new family-friendly programs.

Campus Elections Orientations

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming orientations for those interested in authoring a student fee referendum, opinion poll, or SUA Constitutional Amendment on the 2012 Campus Elections ballot.

SAB Chancellor staff open forum

An invitation to all staff to join the Chancellor for an open staff forum.

Banana Slugs aren't just in Santa Cruz

UCSC's regional program offers a way to meet up with new and old UCSC friends and reconnect with the campus—near where you live.

Save the date: Alumni Reunion Weekend 2012

Mark your calendars for next year's Alumni Reunion Weekend, which is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 27, 28, and 29, 2012.

Another successful Reunion Weekend

More than a thousand people flocked to the Cowell College Courtyard to celebrate the 2011 Alumni Reunion Weekend, held in April. The weekend's festivities included food, beverages, college and department exhibits, and a lineup of spectacular student entertainment.

Halloween Weekend, October 29-31

Information for students regarding the Halloween weekend.

Researchers work with high school teachers on new state writing standards

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz, in collaboration with local educational agencies, have won a $250,000 grant to help high school English teachers in the Pajaro Valley Unified School

UCSC honors Marti Noxon at Hollywood Film/TV alumni event

Award-winning writer and producer Marti Noxon (Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy, Glee) was presented with the first UCSC Film & Digital Media Prestigious Alumni Award at a ceremony held

West Nile virus transmission linked to land use patterns, 'super-spreaders'

In most places, only a few key species of bird "hosts" and mosquito "vectors" are important in transmission of West Nile

UCSC sponsors SACNAS national conference in San Jose, October 27-30

UCSC is supporting the efforts of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in

Uncommon People/David Pham: Devoted to primary care

Health sciences grad David Pham is this year's recipient of the prestigious Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Central California Alliance for Health Primary Care Physician Award.

Uncommon People/Maria Streshinsky: Banana-Slug-in-chief

Award-winning magazine Miller-McCune, which focuses on groundbreaking research and innovative solutions to untenable problems, is now under the leadership of alumna Maria Streshinsky.

Alumni profile/Marianne Walpert: Lighting the way

Alumna Marianne Walpert founded nonprofit TanzSolar, which brings simple, easy-to-use solar light kits to villagers in Northern Tanzania.

Alumni profile/Brian Watwood and Christine Taylor: A lever to independence

A tragic accident led alumnus Brian Watwood to develop the Wijit, a lever-operated driving and braking device for wheelchairs. Fellow alum Christine Taylor later joined the venture.

Alumni Notes

Updates on UCSC alumni

What I'm Hearing From Students This Quarter

Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway responds to three primary concerns she's hearing from students this quarter.

Arguing for a 'new humanism' in medicine

While a new era is dawning for personalized medicine, Abraham Verghese is on a crusade to bring back the lost art of hands-on medical practice.

Taking chances

Lionsgate president and alum Kevin Beggs dishes on Weeds, Charlie Sheen, Mad Men, critical thinking, and the element of risk.

Teaching the teachers

UC Santa Cruz serves California through Cal Teach, a program that encourages and prepares math and science students to become teachers.

Retired faculty and alumni lend strength to fundraising

Retired faculty Edward and Miriam Landesman and alumnus Stephen Bruce have provided financial support for Cal Teach.

UCSC in the News

Astronomer Greg Laughlin was quoted in an Atlantic magazine story about the Kepler mission and the search for Earth-like planets, and exoplanet research by Laughlin and graduate student Kevin Shlaufman was covered in Science News, Astrobiology, and Space Daily.

Our University – 2012 medical plan rates, proposed pension contributions and more news for UC faculty and staff

Read the latest issue of Our University.

Social Sciences honors teachers, staff members, students

Three teachers in the social sciences were honored for teaching and research as the division held its annual staff and faculty fall breakfast Oct.

UCSC’s digital artists take over museum for one night only-Oct. 21

This Friday, October 21, student and alumni artists from UCSC’s Digital Arts & New Media (DANM) program will transform Santa Cruz’s Museum of Art & History into a

Seismologist Emily Brodsky featured in research profile

Emily Brodsky, professor of Earth and planetary sciences at UC Santa Cruz, is regarded as one of the most promising researchers into the physics of

Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics on Campus - Staff

Seasonal Flu shots will once again be offered to staff and faculty at the Student Health Center located across from the University Center and Colleges 9 & 10 on McLaughlin Drive.

Flu Shot Clinics on Campus - Students

Seasonal Flu shots will once again be offered to students at the Student Health Center located across from the University Center and Colleges 9 & 10 on McLaughlin Drive.

Beyond calories and consumption, new book critiques obesity orthodoxies

Julie Guthman, associate professor of community studies, challenges many widely held assumptions about the “obesity epidemic” in her new book, "Weighing In: Obesity, Food Justice, and the Limits

Decoding cancer

With the genome era dawning, UCSC researchers are at the forefront of developing new therapies for one of humanity's most heartbreaking challenges. Has cancer finally met its match?

Student Volunteer Center

If you’re interested in getting involved in the community, through volunteering or internships, drop by the Student Volunteer Center.

Galaxy mergers not the trigger for most black hole feeding frenzies

A survey of distant galaxies shows that galaxy mergers are not responsible for most active galactic

Masthead

Credits for the fall 2011 Review

UCSC team makes final round of QB3 Award for Innovation contest

A UCSC research team is among five finalists competing for online votes to win a $10,000 innovation

From the chancellor

From the editor

Sammy the Slug prevails: It was 25 years ago

Hot dates

This is UCSC

Elliot Aronson to deliver fall Emeriti Lecture Oct. 27

Elliot Aronson, emeritus professor of psychology, will deliver the fall 2011 Emeriti Lecture, "The Psychology of Self-Persuasion: Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts," at

Best-selling author, doctor Abraham Verghese wows capacity crowd

Physician and bestselling author Abraham Verghese worries that an overemphasis on medical technology is distancing doctors from patients. Dr. Verghese voiced his concerns during the 11th annual Sidhartha

National Cyber Security Awareness Month: Google Apps is Coming Nov. 2011

Physicist Bill Atwood awarded Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics

The American Physical Society has awarded the 2012 Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics to physicist William

Human Resources VP to hold systemwide web chat Oct. 24

Human Resources VP Dwaine Duckett will hold a systemwide web chat on October 24.

UCSC in the News

TIME magazine turned to psychology professor Craig Haney for observations about support from families of people released from prison in connection with the Amanda Knox case.

2011 Founders Celebration: Honoring dedication, scholarship and excellence

The 2011 Founders Celebration will spotlight UCSC’s cutting-edge achievements while celebrating nearly a half-century of proud traditions.

Wilder ranch control burns

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting a series of burns totaling at Wilder Ranch State Park as conditions allow.

Google chief economist kicks off finance lecture series at UC Santa Cruz

Hal Varian, chief economist at Google and a UC Berkeley emeritus professor, is the inaugural speaker of a quarterly lecture series being launched by a new financial and

UCSC ranked third in research influence in world university survey

In an analysis of the world's top universities, UCSC ranked third in research

SCMTD Transit Service Adjustments

The SCMTD ("Metro") public transit system has implemented several service adjustments to reduce "pass-bys" on routes serving UCSC via Laurel, Mission and Bay Streets.

Community water projects in rural Kenya help raise family income

Rural family incomes tend to rise when Kenyan women don't have to spend several hours a day lugging water to their villages, UC Santa Cruz sociology professor Ben

Digital Arts and New Media MFA program—call for applications

UCSC's Digital Arts and New Media MFA program is accepting applications for fall 2012 now through January 3, 2012.

Private contributions to UCSC rise 10 percent

Private donors gave nearly $22 million to UC Santa Cruz during the 2010-11 year, increasing their giving in the wake of state budget cuts to the university. During

Educational Partnership Center receives $14 million in federal outreach grants

UC Santa Cruz's Educational Partnership Center has been awarded two GEAR UP federal grants to serve students in Pajaro Valley and South Monterey

Crab pulsar beams most energetic gamma rays ever detected from a pulsar

Astrophysicists have detected pulsed gamma-ray emission from the Crab pulsar at energies far beyond what current theoretical models of pulsars can

Winter Campus Curtailment 2011-2012

Our 2011-2012 Winter Campus Curtailment is scheduled for the time period of December 23, 2011 through January 2, 2012.

Geologist Casey Moore honored by Geological Society of Japan

The Geological Society of Japan has awarded its International Prize to UCSC geologist Casey

UCSC steps up 'zero waste' projects

UCSC staff and students started off the school year by recycling a whopping 38,840 pounds of cardboard within the first two weeks of the fall quarter. The

Sociologist Lisa Jean Moore to present annual Baskin Ethics Lecture, Oct. 19

Lisa Jean Moore, professor of sociology and gender Studies at Purchase College, State University of New York, will deliver the second annual Peggy Downes Baskin Ethics Lecture on

UCSC grads turn senior project into game design company

A new iPad game now available from Apple's App Store showcases the professional quality of the work done by UCSC students in the computer game design

UCSC in the News

Paleoceanographer James Zachos and paleontologist Paul Koch are featured in the October issue of National Geographic magazine in an article about an ancient episode of global warming that holds lessons for understanding climate change today.

Founders Dinner on October 21 to honor achievement, service, and scholarship

UC Santa Cruz will host its fifth annual Founders Celebration dinner at the Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz on Friday, October

In Memoriam — Camila Lee

We are writing to share with you the very sad news that College Eight sophomore Camila Lee has passed away.