Alison Van Eenennaam, animal genomics and biotechnology specialist, is the recipient of the 2010 National Award for Excellence in Extension, in recognition of “high-impact programming, visionary leadership and anticipation of emerging issues.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture presented the award last month in Dallas during the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

At the same meeting, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture presented its National Extension Diversity Award to the UC Small Farm Program, led by Shermain Hardesty.

Van Eenennaam is affiliated with the Department of Animal Science, where she focuses on developing science-based educational materials about animal genomics and livestock biotechnology. She has developed a well-funded animal biotechnology research program and an internationally recognized outreach program.

More information on Van Eenennaam’s program.

Van Eenennaam works closely with the beef cattle industry and has developed a range of educational programs for livestock producers on topics ranging from animal cloning to DNA- and genome-based genetic selection methods.

In an effort to increase public understanding of agricultural
biotechnology, she uses a variety of media, including YouTube videos, and provides science-based commentary on controversial topics, including genetically engineered animals.

The National Extension Diversity Award describes the UC Small Farm Program as “an exemplary extension program, notable for its proven commitment to serving diverse farming communities in California and innovative approaches to helping small farmers succeed.”

Hardesty holds a dual appointment as an extension economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and as the director of the Small Farm Program, part of UC’s Agriculture and Natural Resources division.

Her latest research focuses on local food distribution, niche meat marketing and regulatory relief for small producers.

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The federal government has awarded silver and bronze awards to the UC Davis Health System for its efforts in securing organ donations, and for successful transplant outcomes.

For the fourth year in a row, the medical center received a silver medal of honor for achieving and sustaining national goals for donation, including a donation rate of 75 percent or more from eligible donors.

The Transplant Program received a bronze award, based on a combination of factors, including post-transplant survival rates, deceased donor transplant rates and wait-list mortality rates.

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration presented the awards Nov. 3 at the sixth National Learning Congress for the Donation and Transplantation Community of Practice, held in Grapevine, Texas.

The UC Davis Medical Center was one of 307 hospitals nationwide to receive the organ donation recognition, while the Transplant Program was one of 157 nationwide to be recognized, and the only UC program to receive an individual program award for kidney transplantation.

On hand from UC Davis to receive the awards were Virginia Jannicelli and Melvin Whitlock, donation coordinators; Susan Edwards and Barbara Prewitt, clinical nurses; and Richard Perez, professor of surgery.

Chief Medical Officer Allan D. Siefkin said UC Davis’ success in organ donation and transplant outcomes can be attributed to a commitment to patient care at many levels, including intensive care units, operating rooms and the transplant center.

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The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences handed out eight Awards of Distinction during the 2010 College Celebration.

In the category of outstanding faculty, the college recognized Roger Boulton, a professor of viticulture and enology for more than 30 years, saying he had helped educate a generation of winemakers and bring to fruition a new teaching and research winery that is an unmatched model of sustainability.

The college honored former UC Davis Professor M.R.C. Greenwood as a friend of the college. She served as a distinguished professor of nutrition and internal medicine before leaving UC Davis in 2009 to become the first female president of the University of Hawaii. She joined the UC Davis faculty in 1989 and subsequently served as vice provost of Academic Outreach and dean of Graduate Studies. She went on to serve as the chancellor of UC Santa Cruz and as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs in the UC Office of the President, before returning to UC Davis in April 2006.

In the category of outstanding staff, the college honored Mark Van Horn, director of the Student Farm for 23 years. According to the college website, Van Horn “has overseen the growth and development of a widely respected program that teaches university students and schoolchildren about agriculture, serves as a working laboratory for sustainable farming practices, and produces fresh, organically grown vegetables for the community.”

Other recipients: Ruth Uy Asmundson, David Mackill and Sarah Otterstrom, outstanding alumni; Claire Vallotton, outstanding young alumni; and Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, friends of the college.

Read more.

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Professor Tim Caro of the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology has been appointed to a three-year term as a fellow of the Wildlife Conservation Society, in appreciation of his commitment to wildlife conservation.

His research interests span behavioral ecology and conservation biology, including the evolution of coloration in mammals, the ecology and biodiversity of an African ecosystem, the evolution of antipredator defenses, the interspecific competition in North American carnivores, and the link between animal behavior and conservation biology.

The Wildlife Conservation Society was founded in 1895, with the mission of saving wildlife and wild places across the globe.

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Dateline UC Davis welcomes news of faculty and staff awards, for publication in Laurels. Send information to dateline@ucdavis.edu.