Faculty

“Jim” Seiber, a renowned environmental chemist whose work kickstarted research into the effects of air pollution and who spent decades at UC Davis dedicated to teaching, research and service, died earlier this month. He was 82.

Mike was an inspiration, ensuring that the scientists with whom he interacted took science very seriously, yet had fun while doing so. His foresight and originality extended far beyond Davis to influence how environmental chemistry is done around the world. He set an example of never taking himself seriously, which was his secret sauce for continually stimulating creative thought, innovation and productivity among his peers and his students. He is dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Professor Brett Poulin’s lab in ETX is collaborating with federal scientists at the Woodwell Climate Research Center to understand how climate change is affecting uptake of toxic mercury in aquatic food webs as Arctic permafrost thaws.

Last year, Professor Michele La Merrill received this award in recognition of her research on chemical exposures that make it harder to burn calories (contributing to obesity) and that make breast cancer more deadly.