Romance, commitment

Paul W. Eastwick, associate professor of psychology, investigates how people initiate romantic relationships and the psychological mechanisms that help romantic partners to remain committed and attached. One of his research programs examines how the qualities that people say are critically important to them in a romantic partner — their ideal partner preferences — direct romantic partner selection and retention. He is also interested in exploring how close relationships grow and develop over time. He has a forthcoming journal article that examines why people’s current and former romantic partners sometimes share traits and sometimes do not. Contact: eastwick@ucdavis.edu.

Chocolate has benefits

Carl Keen, professor of nutrition, studies the health benefits of cocoa and chocolate. He has conducted research on how polyphenolic compounds called flavanols, found in cocoa, can help a person maintain healthy circulation and improve blood flow. Depending on the processing method, cocoa may contain high levels of these flavanols, suggesting that some cocoa and chocolate products can contribute to a healthy diet. Contact: (530) 681-2047, clkeen@ucdavis.edu.

Date night

Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves has the whole package — a powerful and flexible voice, improvisational chops, rhythmic virtuosity, a well-developed artistic sensibility and a masterful flair for storytelling. She performs Tuesday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.