Researchers from the University of California, Davis, will join an international group of scientists from academia and industry Thursday and Friday, Feb. 9-10, in Washington, D.C. for a symposium examining the latest discoveries in research on cocoa and its potential impact on human health and on environmental and agricultural sustainability.

The symposium, "Theobroma Cacao: The Tree of Change," will be held at the National Academies, featuring presentations on plant science, biomedical science, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, medicine and anthropology. It is a sequel to a 2004 cocoa research symposium, also held in Washington, D.C.

"This symposium will highlight the surprisingly diverse and positive role that cocoa can potentially play in improving public health and reinvigorating endangered tropical ecosystems," said symposium co-chair Alan Bennett, associate vice chancellor for research and a plant science professor at UC Davis. "It also underscores the impact that collaborative efforts among public and private sector scientists can have in a relatively short time."

On Feb. 9, presentations will be made in the areas of plant science, biomedical science, sustainable agriculture, nutrition and anthropology. On Feb. 10, in-depth roundtable discussions will explore issues facing the cocoa-growing regions of West Africa, East Asia and the Americas.

In addition to Bennett, participants from UC Davis will include:

• Carl Keen, professor and chair of the UC Davis nutrition department, chairing a session on cocoa and cardiovascular health;
• Hagen Schroeter, assistant professor of nutrition, speaking about "Cocoa Flavanols: Bioactive Nutrients Beyond Antioxidants";
• Monique Borgerhoff Mulder, professor, and her colleagues Davis and Margaret Franzen, all of the anthropology department, speaking about "Ecological, Economic and Social Perspectives on Cocoa Production Worldwide";
• Louis Grivetti, nutrition professor, speaking on "Cocoa and Chocolate During the American Revolution."

A complete schedule of the two-day symposium is available online at http://www.cocoasymposium.com/.