New writing minor

The University Writing Program offers an expository writing minor that will provide students with advanced instruction in writing, guided reflection on writing processes, and opportunities to gain practical experience in writing.

The minor serves those students who wish to both study and practice writing: those who are planning careers as professional writers or editors (journalists, fund-raisers, technical writers), as well as those whose academic and professional careers will demand advanced writing skills.

Courses in the minor will teach students about the various forms of writing they are likely to encounter, provide opportunities to experiment with their writing processes, and teach techniques for modifying their writing styles for different audiences and formats.

Stem cell grants awarded

Two UC Davis School of Medicine stem cell researchers were among the nearly two dozen scientists who received research funding this week from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM, the state’s stem cell agency.

Alice F. Tarantal, professor of pediatrics and director of the Center of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research, and Kit S. Lam, professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Oncology and Hematology, were awarded $842,149 and $835,540 respectively to fund investigations over the next two years under the new CIRM Tools and Technologies Awards. The grants support work that creates new techniques and capabilities for stem cell research or scales up existing technologies.

Lam’s research into cancer and tissue regeneration focuses on a state-of-the-art method of identifying synthetic molecules that bind to receptors on the surface of stem cells. Tarantal’s project is looking at new ways to utilize in vivo imaging technology currently used in clinical settings for stem cell research.

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded more than $13 million to researchers at UC Davis to conduct stem cell research. In 2005, the National Institutes of Health awarded $6 million to UC Davis to fund a Center of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research, one of only two such centers in the nation.

Field Day to draw 3,000

Today and tomorrow (March 6 and 7), the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is hosting its 33rd annual Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Field Day, welcoming some 3,000 FFA and 4-H high school students from California and surrounding states. It is one of the largest such competitions in the country and the only completely university student-run event of its kind in California.

The FFA and 4-H students are competing in 26 agriculturally based judging contests, including tractor driving, livestock judging and public speaking.

UC Davis students from a variety of majors coordinate the contests, with faculty and staff serving as advisers.

Activities take place in many locations and animal facilities on campus. Event headquarters is Room 2005 in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building near Freeborn Hall.

More information: caes.ucdavis.edu/StudInfo/clubs/NewsEvents/Events/fieldday.

Get tickets for Soaring to New Heights event

Staff and faculty are invited to attend the 19th annual Soaring to New Heights program on April 14.

The event, billed as UC Davis’ “premier diversity celebration,” will take place from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Freeborn Hall.

The event features entertainment, an international buffet and informational table displays. The winners of the Diversity and Principles of Community Achievement Recognition Awards and the Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award will be announced.

Tickets are $5. Starting this week through April 3, they will be sold through the Campus Events and Visitor Services Ticket Office at Freeborn Hall on a first come, first-serve basis. No tickets will be sold at the door. The phone number for the ticket office is (530) 752-1915.

For additional information, visit http://occr.ucdavis.edu/soaring or call the Office of Campus Community Relations at (530) 752-2071.