Reginald Johnson (’15) has been selected to join the 2017-18 class of Capital Fellows through the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento.
Johnson, who majored in political science at UC Merced, will serve in the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program. The program was founded in 1957 and is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowship programs. Johnson will work 10 to 11 months as a full-time staff member in the California State Assembly.
The fellowship is a unique opportunity for college graduates to engage in public service and prepare for future careers. Fellows in the Assembly, Senate, California Executive Branch or the California Judiciary participate in policymaking, program development, and program implementation.
Capital Fellows are placed at some of the highest levels of California state government and assist state legislators, senior-level executive staff and court administrators with a broad range of public policy issues and projects and are typically given assignments with a significant amount of responsibility and challenges.
To learn about the requirements and apply by the Monday, Feb. 12 deadline, visit http://www.csus.edu/calst/programs/.
Professor Emeritus to Deliver Air Quality Lecture
“Air Quality Issues and Altered Redox Signaling Responses to Nanoparticles in Aging” is the title of an upcoming lecture by Henry Jay Forman, an expert in air quality and its impacts on respiratory health.
Forman — a professor of research gerontology at the University of Southern California and Distinguished Professor Emeritus in biochemistry at UC Merced — is renowned for his research on free radical biochemistry and antioxidant defense, and particularly for pioneering work on redox signaling and induced resistance to oxidative stress.
His talk will examine how air pollution contributes to systemic pathological issues ranging from exacerbating asthma to cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. While we have some ability to adapt as we age, we become more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Understanding aging mechanisms that suppress the ability to protect our bodies may in turn help us promote healthier aging.
The lecture takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 16, in the California Room, and is free and open to all. For further information, contact Tom Hothem at thothem@ucmerced.edu.
Privacy Activities and Resources Offered
In honor and support of Data Privacy Month (Jan. 28-Feb. 28) and International Data Privacy Day, the University of California provides several resources and activities to help you enhance your online privacy and protect your personal and professional data and information.
- You can go online to review the Data Privacy Day 2018 event that took place in San Francisco online.
- You can read two articles, “ Data Privacy and You ” and “ I Have Nothing to Hide. Why Should I Care About Privacy ?”
- You can view four short videos: “ Own Your Online Presence ,” by UC Santa Barbara; “ Guard Your Privacy ,” by UCLA; “ Three Tips for Protecting Your Online Privacy ,” from STOP. THINK. CONNECT; and “ Five Ways to Help Protect Your Identity ,” by the Federal Trade Commission.
- You can get additional resources from StaySafeOnline.org, which can help manage your privacy on devices.
If you have questions, please contact UC Merced Privacy Officer Deborah Motton.
Updates on the Merced 2020 Project
Everyone has noticed that Lake Lot 2 is now closed, having been fenced off over the winter break. That’s because construction has begun on the new soccer field. The site will also include the campus’s new pool, a conference center, a new wellness center and additional classrooms.
The project is more than 20 percent complete overall, and more than $330 million has been spent to date.
Other updates on the project:
- The tall building going up quickly between Dining facility and Beginnings is one of three new research lab buildings, scheduled to open in 2019.
- Crews are on track to complete the first three buildings — a new dining building and two student-housing buildings — in August, before classes start for the fall semester.
To stay updated on the project, visit the Merced 2020 Project website.
Become a Member and Share a Car
You can help the campus reduce the number of vehicles and vehicle trips on campus each day and have a car at your convenience without the cost of maintenance and insurance through the new Zipcar being hosted at UC Merced by TAPS.
The member-based car-sharing service allows any member who is 18 or older — faculty, staff or students — to rent a car by the hour or by the day. Membership includes gas, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance and free parking.
Cutting down on the number of vehicles on the road contributes to less traffic and air pollution, which is great for our sustainable campus. But it also means you can get to your favorite local restaurants, theaters or appointments without having to wait for the bus, bumming a ride or calling an Uber. Membership starts as low as $7 a month.
You can get more information about the service and sign up to become a member by visiting http://www.zipcar.com/.
