Winter quarter is already upon us, and I hope you all had a restful holiday break. The new year has already presented us with some unexpected challenges as we witness the devastating fires in Southern California and their impact on the state and our Aggie community. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. I want remind everyone about the available campus resources. Thank you to the many Aggie volunteers who are in Southern California right now helping to fight the fires, protect wildlife and support our fellow communities in need. 

It is with a heavy heart that we pay tribute to one of our beloved colleagues, Anita Oberholster, an esteemed wine chemist and professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Viticulture and Enology who passed away after a long battle with cancer. Her outstanding work has had a tremendous impact on the wine industry in California, as well as across the country and world. We will miss her dearly.

Continuing in the spirit of the exploration Anita exemplified, this month’s newsletter highlights a range of discoveries. A study outlines how state food waste policies fall short of federal goals, finding states emphasize recycling methods like composting, rather than prevention and rescue strategies. We also have a story that highlights the flexible diets of California ground squirrels and their appetite for voles. We have a timely article on post-wildfire replanting, with our scientists finding that it is important to consider the timing and shrub cover for forest recovery. Plus, our cutting-edge sensory immersive room is being used for a new study featuring Korean-style street food and how context may influence our food preferences.

I am proud to announce that associate professors Joanne Emerson with the Department of Plant Pathology and Tran Nguyen with the Department of Environmental Toxicology were named by the Biden Administration recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, which honors outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers. I’d also like to congratulate two of our exceptional advisors – Grace Gomez and Marissa Baskett – who received Excellence in Advising awards by the National Academic Advising Association.

Even in times of challenge, I find inspiration in the work we do to support our students, help our state and inspire scientific discovery throughout the world. Our college will continue to be a resource for innovation and collaboration this year and many years to come. Thank you for your contributions and commitment to excellence.