Sparking 'IDEaS':
Campus Celebrates Innovation Feb. 22-25
Five decades ago, UC San Diego was founded with an idea and a large dose of innovative spirit. As UCSD marks its 50th Anniversary, the university welcomes the campus and local community to Innovation Day Expo and Symposia (IDEaS) Feb. 22 to 25 to celebrate and share in its exciting discoveries, breakthroughs and emerging innovation. The week of free events will feature dynamic leaders in the arts, sciences, technology, medicine and education who are making a positive impact in San Diego, the nation and the world. More

Rescue Planned for Lifeguard Tower at Scripps Beach
The beach below UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography will become an even safer place by the end of April with the addition of a revamped lifeguard tower to watch over beachgoers, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and city and fire and rescue officials announced at a press conference Thursday. The renovation project is set to be completed well before crowds hit the beach during summer break. More

Nifty 50 Scientists: Leading Campus
Researchers Visit Local Middle and High Schools
The annual San Diego Science Festival, the largest celebration of science on the West Coast, has announced this year's Nifty 50 program. Nifty 50 is a speaker series in which science professionals from a wide range of fields and backgrounds provide motivational presentations to classrooms across San Diego County, raising educational interest and awareness in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Presented by Life Technologies Foundation, a platinum corporate sponsor of the San Diego Science Festival, the program will bring 50 science role models, 30 of whom are from UC San Diego, into local classrooms. More

Sixth College Provost Invited to State Capitol
to Spread Knowledge on Climate Change
Naomi Oreskes, a UC San Diego science historian and author of the critically acclaimed “Merchants of Doubt,” brought her knowledge of climate science to the state capitol last month. Oreskes, who also is provost of Sixth College, was a special guest on the state senate floor Jan. 27. She also took part in a UCSD Near You event in Sacramento organized by the UC San Diego Alumni Association. More

Schizophrenia Gene Mutation
Found; Target for New Drugs
In a major advance for schizophrenia research, an international team of scientists led by Jonathan Sebat, assistant professor of psychiatry and cellular and molecular medicine at the School of Medicine, has identified a gene mutation strongly linked to the brain disorder and a signaling pathway that may be treatable with existing compounds. More

Research Flights Probe Impacts of Airborne
Particles on State Climate and Water Supply
In a winter of unpredicted weather, a multiyear project to investigate the possible effects of air pollution on California's precipitation launches a new phase with a series of research flights that begin last week featuring Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists. Researchers will document cloud microphysics and aerosol impacts on clouds and precipitation from the research aircraft equipped with an aerosol particle analyzer developed along with a suite of other state-of-the-art cloud probes and instruments. More

Ansel Adams at UCSD: A Master
Photographer Shoots a Fledgling UC Campus
In 1963, celebrated photographer Ansel Adams was commissioned by the University of California to photograph the UC campuses for UC's centennial anniversary in 1968. A selection of the photographs appeared in Fiat Lux, one of the centennial publications produced by the university. Although Adams shot more than 70 images of the San Diego campus, Fiat Lux included only 10 images of UCSD. Now, a selection of Adams' UCSD photos — including iconic shots of the Scripps pier — can be viewed at a Geisel Library exhibit. More

UC San Diego Climbs in Top
College Peace Corps Rankings
UC San Diego climbed eight spots on the annual list of “Peace Corps Top Colleges and Universities.” With 67 alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, UC San Diego ranks 14th among all large universities, up from 22nd last year. UCSD and the Peace Corps, both turning 50 this year, have partnered to bring 678 UCSD alumni as volunteers. More

Campus Cupids Will Find Plenty
to Do to Celebrate Special Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and UC San Diego is offering plenty of concerts, plays, movies and other activities to enjoy with your sweetheart. We’ve listed some of them below. Pick one, pick two — or more. More

Biology Student Wins
Prestigious Churchill Scholarship
An undergraduate biology major at UC San Diego has won a prestigious Churchill Scholarship to study at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom next year, one of only 14 students nationwide to receive the coveted honor. Recipients are chosen based on academic accomplishments and demonstrated commitment to a career in science, engineering or mathematics, including substantial accomplishments in original research. Eight of 480 former Churchill Scholars have gone on to win a Nobel Prize. More