Climate Panel: Science Must Support Efforts to
Cope with Climate Change-Related Problems
The federal government's climate change research program should broaden its focus to include research that would support actions needed to cope with climate change-related problems that will impact society, while building on its successful research to improve understanding of the causes and processes of climate change, says a new report from the National Research Council committee chaired by V. Ramanathan, a climate and atmospheric sciences professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
UC San Diego. More

Magnetic Device Studied for
Treatment for Heartburn and Acid Reflux
More than 20 million Americans suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), experienced by many as chronic heartburn. Medication offers short-term relief for some sufferers of this disease. For those seeking a non-prescription alternative, a magnetic device, currently being evaluated at UC San Diego Medical Center, may provide a long-term solution. More

Sparking an Interest in Science
San Diego Science Festival to Offer More Than 500 Hands-on Activities
A wave of hands-on activities and science events will sweep through the region as part of the first-ever San Diego Science Festival, officials said last week at a press conference at UCSD announcing the launch of the event. More

Hundreds of Recent Graduates Reconnect
at Inaugural Young Alumni Reunion
More than 750 alumni, students and guests came back to campus to participate in the inaugural Young Alumni Reunion that took place Feb. 19-22. The new program will be offered annually, providing UC San Diego graduates from the last decade an opportunity to reconnect with friends and explore new spaces on campus. More

Campus to Hold First-Ever 'Nap-in'
Hundreds of students and staff from across campus will bring mats, pillows and teddy bears to the first-ever UC San Diego “Nap-In” at 12:30 p.m., March 9 in the Price Center Ballroom. The event, co-sponsored by the Wellness Center, will feature remarks from Sara Mednick, assistant professor of psychiatry at the School of Medicine, and author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life! More

San Diego Supercomputer Center
Completes Major Storage Upgrade
Upgrade maintains university’s standing as first in world of educational institutions in archival storage capacity
The San Diego Supercomputer Center has completed a comprehensive upgrade to significantly expand its tape-based archival storage capacity to a total 36 petabytes, or 36 thousand trillion bytes of information. The upgrade maintains the university’s standing as having the largest archival storage capacity of any educational institution in the world. More

Summer Immersion Program
Bridges High School to College Gap
In an effort to bridge the gap from high school to college, UC San Diego Extension offers Academic Connections, a July 5 to 25, 2009 summer residential immersion program that gives high school students a taste of the real college experience in a safe and supervised environment. Eligible students participate in a non-stop, three-week summer program held on the UC San Diego campus, enrolled in classes that mirror the university experience, ranging from engineering to theatre production. More

Groundbreaking Set for Newest
Addition to Graduate Student Housing
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Health Sciences Housing Project, the newest effort in a goal to house 50 percent of students on campus, will be held at 10:45 a.m. Friday. More

New Childcare Center Opens on Campus
The number of childcare spots available at UC San Diego increased by 25 percent today, when the new Mesa Child Care Center opened its doors. The center will provide part-time childcare for 48 children ages 2 ½ to 5 years, equally divided between morning and afternoon sessions. The facility is located in the Mesa graduate student housing complex. More

Scripps Climate Science
Pioneer Awarded Tyler Prize
V. Ramanathan, a renowned climate and atmospheric scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is among two scientists who will share the 2009 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. The award, consisting of a $200,000 cash prize and gold medals, will be awarded to Ramanathan and Richard Alley, professor of geosciences at Penn State University, for their work demonstrating the global reach and severity of human impacts on climate. More

Dean of International Relations
Joins Obama Administration
Peter Cowhey, dean of the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, has been named to a senior position in the Obama administration's Office of the United States Trade Representative. During a one-year leave of absence from UCSD, Cowhey will serve as Senior Counselor to the U.S. Trade Representative focusing on strategy and negotiations. More

Mark Thiemens Named 2009 Goldschmidt Medalist
The Geochemical Society has named Mark Thiemens, dean of the Division of Physical Sciences, as this year’s recipient of the 2009 V.M. Goldschmidt Medal. The award, made for major achievements in geochemistry or cosmochemistry, includes a medal, a certificate, an honorarium, and a plenary talk presented at the society’s Goldschmidt 2009 Conference in Davos, Switzerland. Previous UC San Diego award winners include Harold Urey and Hans Suess. More