Helene Dillard began work Jan. 27 as the ninth dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi announced Dillard’s appointment in November.

Dillard

Dillard, a plant disease expert, comes to UC Davis from Cornell University, where she had been an associate dean and head of Cooperative Extension since 2002. She did her undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, then received two degrees at UC Davis: a master’s in soil science and a doctorate in plant pathology.

“It’s a delight to be returning to UC Davis,” she said. “I look forward to meeting our many internal and external partners, and building on our important linkages between UC Davis, California and the world.”

In 1984, with her newly conferred Ph.D., she joined the faculty of the Department of Plant Pathology at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y., a position that allowed her to devote half of her time to research and half to extension responsibilities for vegetable crops.

She was promoted to associate professor in 1990 and to full professor in 1998. She was named associate director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in 2001 and advanced to the director’s post in 2002.

Mary Delany, who served as interim dean of CA&ES for the last 17 months, returns to her post as an associate dean.

UOIP announces seed grant recipients

University Outreach and International Programs recently announced the recipients of the 2013 Seed Grants for Outreach and International Activities. UOIP established the seed grant program in 2001 to give life to faculty members’ bold ideas in outreach and international programs.

Twenty-one proposals are being funded in the 2013 round; each grant is in the amount of $5,000 to $15,000, to provide project support for one year.

The call for proposals is usually released in the fall. More information about the seed grant program is available online.

Staff adviser application period opens

Applications are now being accepted from staff and-or nonsenate academic employees interested in serving as staff adviser to the Board of Regents. Whomever is selected will serve for one year as the staff adviser designate, 2014-15, then move up to adviser for a year, 2015-16.

The application period runs through March 7. Staff interested in public policy, advocacy and understanding the future direction of the university are encouraged to apply.

The staff adviser and staff adviser designate participate in open sessions of the Board of Regents and designated committees, bringing the voice and perspective of staff and nonsenate academic employees to regents' deliberations. The advisers do not vote.

More information is available online and from local human resources offices. Questions about the position or the application process should be directed to Juliann Martinez, UCOP Employee Relations, by phone, (510) 287-3331, or email.

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Blood drive nets 650 pints

The results are in from this week’s blood drive: 650 pints collected!

“We are so appreciative that so many came out to donate, share their stories and, of course, enjoy some delicious donuts courtesy of our friends at UC Dining Services,” said Felicia Roper of Sacramento-based BloodSource, which conducted the two-day drive.

She said 273 new donors were among the 856 people who registered; not everyone can donate, for a variety of reasons.

“Thanks to all of the incredible new and return donors,” Roper said.

The next UC Davis Blood and Marrow Drive is scheduled for Tuesday-Wednesday, April 22-23, back in The Pavilion (second floor).

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