Today “Biological Control of Greenhouse Pests with Natural Arthropod Enemies“ Urs Wyss 122Briggs,12:10to1p.m. Sponsored by the entomology department

Monday marked the opening of the new Undergraduate Research Center,which aims to promote and organize research opportunities for interested UC Davis undergraduates. The opening ceremony coincided with UC Davis‘ Centennial Celebration and was attended by students,faculty and professors. The goal of the center is to help undergraduates of all disciplines find programs and services relevant to their interests,according to the mission statement.Itsemphasis on firsthand experience as a catalyst for academic growth was a key theme addressed by speakers at the event.

Seven UC faculty to join Institute of Medicin Scholars from UCLA, UC San Diego and UC San Francisco have been elected to join the prestigious National Academies’ Institute of Medicine. The organization recently added 65 new members, bringing the total number up 1,576 scholars and doctors – over 150 of them affiliated with the University of California.

My first column.I cannot lie:I am a small fish; the Aggie is a big pond for me. The columnists were given the option of writing an introductory column this first week to,you know,introduce ourselves.I’m using this as my get-out-of-jail free card because Ididn’t have anything prepared.It’s hard to write something so serious though,especially about yourself,because it makes you sound self-absorbed.Trying to write something comical makes it sound like you have no self-awareness.Everyone knows what I’m talking about.People who read the editorial columns are some of the most critical people in the world. (This is a good way to make some fans.) But we can’t lie.We all,myself included,read the columns and make judgments on what people have to say.It doesn’t help that there’s a little picture of them in the top corner,as psychologically I’m sure that facilitates the cynicism.

In collaboration with the San Francisco Estuary Institute,UC Davis researchers have made headway in understanding the sources of toxic mercury in the San Francisco Bay and Delta.The findings,revealed in SFEI’s annual report of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality (RMP),indicate that changes in current habitat management techniques could prevent mercury from entering the food web and threatening the health of wildlife and humans.

New tests for Downsyndromehave no known risks of miscarriage Scientists have developed a new,non-invasive technique to test for Downsyndrome that differsfrom the traditional tests that may cause miscarriages.The new procedure onlyrequires a blood sample from the pregnant woman.

Proposition2aims to give California livestock a bit more legroom. The proposition,if passed,would require farmers to keep egg-laying hens,cows raised for veal and pregnant pigs in areas where they are able to stand up,lie down and fully extend their legs.

Los Angeles toSan Francisco in two and ahalf hours? Proposition1A promises the first step to an exhilarating220mph high-speed train running between San Diego and Sacramento,with connections to the BayArea,fully functional by2030.

Teams: No. 7 UC Davis vs. Cal State Fullerton Records: Aggies, 11-1-1 (3-0-1); Titans, 3-10-0 (0-0-3) Where: Aggie Soccer Stadium When: Today at 3 p.m.

Ryan McCowan has experienced a lot for being onlya sophomore. From taking over the spot as starting goalkeeper midway through the2007season to becoming one of the premier goalies in the Big West Conference,McCowan has had a successful ride to the top. After blanking UC Santa Barbara2-0this past Saturday,Aggie Sports Writer Max Rosenblum sat down with McCowan to discuss his initial – as well as current – success,his decision to come to UC Davis and dinner with his defense.

Although the mosquito season comes to a close as thechill of winterapproaches,fly season is in full swing as autumn’s temperatures ideally foster their abundant breeding. “This time of year is perfect for flies to reproduce,” said UC Davis entomologist Lynn Kimsey,who heads the department of entomology. “And Davis is the perfect place.“

UC Davis is one of two schools in the country with a nematology department.What’s a nematode,you ask? ProfessorValerie Williamsoncan not only tell youthat a nematode is amicroscopic worm,she can also tellyou its DNA sequencing and the massive impact it has on the agricultural worldtoday.Williamson is a professor of nematology,focusing her research on plant parasitic nematodes– the cause of over$50million of plant damage in the U.S.The California Aggiesat down with her to chat about nematodes,her researchand even her taste in produce.