Psychology professor Daniel Conroy-Beam has been named the recipient of the 2022-23 Plous Award.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Outstanding Performance’
Category: Technology
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Many Versions of a Female Scientist’ and more news
Aiming to undo stereotypes, Women Doing Science profiles female scientists all over the world in their elements, be they labs, lecture halls or the field.
Clean Power Alliance Announces Applications Now Being Accepted for 2022-2023 Community Benefits Grant Program
Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2022-2023 Community Benefits Grant Program. Now in its second year, the program is an innovative partnership between CPA and Calpine Energy Solutions that provides funding for nonprofit organizations working to advance clean energy in the 30 communities that CPA serves in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as well as the unincorporated areas within both counties. The program’s application period opens today and runs through Sept. 16.
“Investing in our local communities is a key goal of CPA and this grant program is an important part of creating long-lasting partnerships with organizations that support our clean energy mission,” said Ted Bardacke, CEO of Clean Power Alliance. “We appreciate Calpine’s ongoing commitment to reinvesting with us in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.”
Bilingual report — County Of Ventura Ranked a Top Ten Digital County in the Nation by Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties
The County of Ventura has ranked eighth among digital counties nationwide by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Ventura County’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Department was awarded in the 20th annual Digital Counties Survey for being an information technology leader amongst counties with populations of 500,000 – 999,999, after Gwinnett County, Georgia, followed by Polk County, Florida, and County of Chester, Pennsylvania.
“We are proud that our County continues to be a leader in technology and innovation and are grateful for this special recognition,” said Interim County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson. “It reflects the dedication of our ITS Department and entire county team in finding new and efficient ways to serve our community. Looking ahead, we remain committed to leveraging technology and key collaborations to help close the digital divide so that all community members have equitable access to digital services.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘Climate and Conflict’ and more news
New research demonstrates the connections between climate change and civil unrest among the ancient Maya.
More than $1 Million in Incentives Remain Available for the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Ventura County
As growing numbers of us drive electric vehicles (EVs), the demand for accessible charging stations in safe well-lit locations is increasing throughout our local communities. The CALeVIP South Central Coast Incentive Project promotes easy access to such zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, by providing incentives for the purchase and installation of eligible electric vehicle (EV) chargers here in Ventura County.
UCSB — The Current — ‘New Plays Promise Laughs and Substance’ and more news
Highlighting four works in progress, LAUNCH PAD’s 2022 Summer Reading Series features both comedy and drama.
UCSB — The Current ‘First-Gen Resilience’ and more news
Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of the Cybersecurity of Water Providers in Ventura County Report
Cyber-attacks are a serious threat to the public drinking water supply. Recent cyber-attacks around the United States have resulted in community water supplies being poisoned or their suppliers’ business operations being held hostage by ransomware. In recognition of this critical threat, the 2021-2022 Ventura County Grand Jury investigated the cybersecurity of Ventura County public water providers.
The Grand Jury investigated two primary areas of cyber vulnerability in the water sector: the information technology used to bill consumers and record usage, and the operational technology used to control and monitor treatment and delivery of the water supply. Malicious actors can take advantage of network vulnerabilities and/or weak user access controls in either information or operational technology to disrupt the business and the water service, and potentially degrade public safety.
Ventura County Teachers Honored for Innovation in the Classroom
Teachers from throughout Ventura County are being honored with $16,000 in grants for developing innovative lessons for their students. At a ceremony tonight in Camarillo, the Ventura County Office of Education will present 11 IMPACT II grants to 16 teachers. The grants are funded by local businesses and organizations that wish to promote unique and creative teaching practices.
The winning entries cover a variety of subject matters, including history, language arts and social sciences. Detailed lesson plans prepared by each of the grant winners are available at this link for use by other teachers in Ventura County and beyond.
UCSB — The Current — ‘An Underwater Frontier’ and more news
Earth scientist Zach Eilon receives a National Science Foundation Early CAREER Award to peer through the seafloor to find out how tectonic plates are made.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Hitting New Heights’ and more news
A device developed in the Hawkes Lab achieves the tallest height of any known jumper, engineered or biological.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Bigger Good Boy’ and more news
LaunchPoint Returns to the World’s Leading International Technical Event on Vertical Flight Technology
LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce its return to the Vertical Flight Society’s (VFS) 78th Annual Forum and Technology Display, being held in Fort Worth, Texas, USA from May 10 to 12, 2022. The LaunchPoint Team is co-presenting two technical papers in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Technical Session I on Tuesday morning, May 10. Michael Ricci, LaunchPoint’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder is also co-instructing the VFS’s signature Short Course on Electric VTOL Technology.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Sustainability; and more news
The campus marks two decades of focused sustainability efforts by highlighting some of its major achievements.
LaunchPoint™ Announces Hybrid Power System for Aircraft and Drone Industries
LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc., an aerospace power generation and electric propulsion design company in Goleta, announced (on April 12) the commercialization of its patent-pending, hybrid electric power system for aircraft.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Clot Buster’ and more news
A new test predicts sepsis before blood clots cause permanent organ damage, markedly increasing survival.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corp. Collaborates with GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles to Provide Clean Solar Energy to Local Senior Community
Cabrillo EDC was honored to work with GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA), a nonprofit organization that installs solar power systems and provides job training for economic and environmental justice communities. During a week-long project in early March 2022, GRID GLA installed 64 solar panels on a ten-car carport at the Cabrillo EDC’s Camino Esperanza property in Simi Valley.
Camino Esperanza is a rental community serving seniors aged 62 years and older with 30 one-bedroom units. Eleven units are for Seniors with developmental disabilities at 25 percent of the area median income. The remaining 19 units are available for seniors earning up to 50 percent of the area median income. Two units are ADA compliant and 28 are fully adaptable.
Ventura County Science Fair Winners Announced
Do tortoises have a favorite color? Is car exhaust damaging to plants? Do insects get lonely? These are some of the intriguing questions explored by students who entered the 67thannual Ventura County Science Fair.
The Science Fair was held virtually last Friday, with 230 students from 17 local middle and high schools presenting their projects to volunteer judges via online video. The 35 projects that received the highest scores will go on to represent Ventura County in the California Science & Engineering Fair on April 12. A list of the winners with links to their display boards and written reports is provided below.
VCCCD Associate Vice Chancellor Receives Statewide Information Technology Award
The state’s 116 community colleges are accomplishing dynamic work that deserves recognition. When the Chief Information Systems Officer Association (CISOA) and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office determined that the award nomination and selection process could be improved, members Dan Watkins, Associate Vice Chancellor, Information Technology, Ventura County Community College District; Chelsy Pham, San Joaquin Delta College; and Fredrick Rocha, Coast Community College District, rose to the challenge. The streamlined, standardized award process their workgroup created earned the three a California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Technology Focus Award from CISOA, a nonprofit supporting technology leadership in the state’s community college system.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Model Scientist’ and more news
Ecologist Anna Trugman has received an award for her work modeling how forests respond to change.
SBCC computer science team takes first place at Southern California programming competition
At the Southern California International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) held Feb. 25-26, Santa Barbara City College won the top honor for two-year colleges for the second year in a row.
The ICPC is a programming challenge for college students to solve real-world problems, fostering collaboration, creativity, innovation and the ability to perform under pressure.
Held in Riverside, California, 48 teams from 15 Southern California institutions competed to solve a set of 10 programming problems in five hours. The problem set was particularly difficult this year, with no team solving all of the problems.
Calling all citizen scientists to the CSUCI BioBlitz!
Download iNaturalist on your smartphone, grab your sneakers and come on down to CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) on Saturday, Feb. 19 to join in the annual BioBlitz.
CSUCI students of all majors and members of the community are invited to wander around campus anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday and take photos of any plants, flowers, fungi, insects, birds, or trees that catch your eye. The iNaturalist app will identify what you’ve just seen and upload it to their global citizen science database of plants, flowers, fungi, trees, insects and animals found on and around the CSUCI campus – and the world.
No scientific background is required, just a smartphone, the app and a healthy sense of curiosity about the world around you.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Hopeful Monster’ and more news
State Sen. Newman and Assemblymember Irwin Introduce Legislation to Ensure Safe and Accessible Battery Disposal
In an effort to ensure access to safe battery disposal and reduce fire risk, Senator Josh Newman and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin introduced SB 1215 and AB 2440 today. These two mirrored bills, also known as The Responsible Battery Recycling Act, create a statewide collection and recycling program for consumer batteries and battery-embedded products.
Because of the hazardous metals and corrosive materials that batteries contain, California classifies batteries as hazardous waste and bans them from solid waste landfills. When improperly discarded, batteries pose serious fire, health and safety hazards that disrupt our waste stream and poison our environment.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Giving Rise to Hope’ and more news
Social entrepreneur Amanda Nguyen talks “Hopeanomics” in a virtual, free event for Arts & Lectures.
Local startup Battery Streak accepted for ANTX-Coastal Trident 22 Exercise
Battery Streak’s proposal to demonstrate its fast charging battery technology at the annual ANTX-CT22 was accepted by the exercise organizers. Working with the NavalX and FATHOMWERX technology acceleration groups has helped Battery Streak present their technology to the Naval Research and Development Establishment.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Port Hueneme Division will lead execution of its annual Advanced Naval Technology Exercise. ANTX-Coastal Trident 2022 will be conducted to accelerate identification and implementation of leading-edge capabilities by the U.S. Navy and its interagency partners in port and maritime security.
UCSB — The Current — Familiar Forms, Unfamiliar Tales
A new exhibition at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum reimagines classical imagery for a multicultural America.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Source of Friction’ and more news
Researcher Angela Pitenis receives funding from the NSF to study friction between soft materials.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Outwitting Omicron’ and more news
Graduate student Zach Aralis has developed a rapid test for the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
3C-REN to Bring the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s ‘The Switch is On’ Program to Tri-County Area
3C-REN (The Tri-County Regional Energy Network), a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura that delivers energy-saving programs and building industry trainings, has partnered with the Building Decarbonization Coalition for the “Switch is On” campaign to help Tri-County residents interested in the switch from gas-powered to all-electric appliances. An all-electric home reduces health risks, contributes to a more resilient energy system, supports the state’s decarbonization goals, and in many cases can save money for homeowners. This campaign is the first of its kind in California.
The “Switch is On” offers residents the opportunity to speak one-on-one with home electrification advisors, find local vetted contractors, get information on incentives and rebates, and find additional resources about home electrification.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Diverse Voices, Diverse Approaches to Theater’ and more stories
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Call to Action’ and more news
An exhibit at the library brings to life the public experiences of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Ancient Acid Taste Receptors’ and more news
Anindya Ganguly and Craig Montell identify and characterize a sour receptor conserved from fruit flies to humans.
UCSB — The Current — A Winning Dance of Liquids
Researchers take the top award from the American Physical Society for their video capturing the beauty of fluid dynamics.
UCSB — The Current — UCSB Reads 2022 and more news
The campus reading program has selected “Exhalation,” a collection of short stories by science fiction writer Ted Chiang.
CSUCI Biology professor receives $3.6 million grant to boost stem cell internship program
CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) graduate student Alex Mitre began pursuing her Master of Biotechnology after a volunteering experience in the birth center of a San Diego hospital. There, she witnessed extremes of the human experience on the faces of parents…
UCSB — The Current — ‘Leading From the Front’ and more news
Mike Fogelsonger has been named director of UC Santa Barbara’s Veterans and Military Services.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Managing Water Resources in a Low-to-No-Snow Future’ and more news
With mountain snowpacks shrinking in the western U.S., researchers analyze when a low-to-no-snow future might arrive and the implications for water management.
Bilingual report — Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen Appoints Helen Miller as Information Technology Director
The City of Oxnard announces the appointment of Helen Miller as the new Information Technology (IT) Director. With more than 25 years of business-technology experience in both the public and private sector, Miller brings significant experience deploying modern technological solutions that will benefit both Oxnard community members and City employees.
“We’re excited to have recruited a talented professional who also happens to be an Oxnard resident,” said City Manager Alexander Nguyen. “We look forward to Ms. Miller modernizing the IT Department.”
Two renewable energy experts join Gravity Power board
Gravity Power LLC, a Santa-Barbara based company that offers low-cost, low-impact energy storage technology to the electricity industry, has welcomed two prominent energy industry experts to its board of directors.
California Energy Commission Chairman Robert (Bob) Weisenmiller and renewable energy entrepreneur Steve Taber have joined the Gravity Power board. The two will leverage their decades of combined experience in grid decarbonization to help bring Gravity Power’s revolutionary storage technology to full commercialization.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Warrior Women’ and more news
Mother-daughter Native American rights icon Madonna Thunder Hawk and Marcella Gilbert will speak on campus following a screening of a documentary about their work.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Home-Based Halloween’ and more news
The campus teams with students and community on rules, regulations, safety enhancements and alternative events for October 29 through November 1.
Southeast Ventura County YMCA and Columbia Memorial Space Center Kick Off This Year’s STEM Club For Middle Schoolers
The Southeast Ventura County YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center will begin their STEM Club for local middle schoolers. Meetings begin in November and run through December 16.
Students can sign up to meet in person at the Yarrow Family YMCA after school for 8 to 10 weeks. Students meet on Tuesdays with an additional voluntary meeting on Thursday afternoons.
UCSB — The Current — ‘New Direction’ and more news
The Art, Design & Architecture Museum reopens to in-person visitors and welcomes new director Gabriel Ritter.
UCSB — The Current — Flu Vaccination Q&A and more news
Student Health Executive Director Vejas Skripkus, M.D., discusses the UC influenza vaccination mandate.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura Brings 3MW Solar Array Online in Fillmore
he County of Ventura General Services Agency in partnership with Ventura Solar, LLC brought a new off-site solar panel array installation, located in Fillmore, online in September. Slated to provide 3 megawatts of electricity for County facilities at a reduced rate, the solar array is located at 67 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore, at a former superfund site that was repurposed into the current 3-MW solar photovoltaic system, consisting of more than 11,000 solar panels and estimated to reduce more than 2,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or a 5% reduction, annually, from the County’s operations. This equates to an estimated annual savings of $100k, or a total estimated savings between $3.9 and $5.4 million over the life of the 25-year agreement with Ventura Solar.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Fire Safe Haven’ and more news
UCSB — The Current — ‘Toward a Better Future’ and more news
The Interdisciplinary Humanities Center’s public events series, “Regeneration,” begins with David Pellow speaking on environmental justice.
Speaker Rendon Appointments Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board
Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon (on Oct. 7) appointed Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (Thousand Oaks – D) to serve on the Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board. Established as part of the 2021-2022 Budget Act, the Cradle-to-Career Data System will link California’s existing education, workforce, financial aid, and social service information. These tools will help students and families more easily navigate the educational pipeline, as well as empower policymakers and educators to address disparities in opportunities and improve outcomes for all students throughout the state.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and associated learning disruptions have made absolutely clear the need for reliable data that spans across educational segments and institutions,” Assemblymember Irwin said. “This data system will be critical in identifying high impact practices, targeting resources where they are most needed to close equity gaps, and ensuring that all students have access to a roadmap for achieving their goals.”
Agromin Recognized As One Of California’s Top innovative Biofuel Companies
Futurology Life, a London-based company that follows innovations and breakthroughs in futuristic industries, has named Agromin as one of the 21 most innovative California-based biofuel companies and startups. It singled out Agromin for its manufacturing and supplying of eco-friendly soil, organic materials and biofuel products for farmers, landscapers and gardeners.
Agromin, headquartered in Oxnard, has been producing organic soil products from locally collected green waste for over 30 years. The company has operations throughout California. Its products are used on farms and in public and private landscaping. A few years ago, it began turning some of the green waste it receives into energy through anaerobic digestion and gasification.
Port of Hueneme — The Best in Tech Play at the Port of Hueneme
Day two of the open house of the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) and Coastal Trident programs was a success with over 300 people representing partner organizations attending today’s event at the FATHOMWERX Lab located inside the Port of Hueneme.
Bilingual report — Benefits of Driving Electric Celebrated at the Oxnard National Drive Electric Week Event
Beneficios de Conducir Vehículos Eléctricos Celebrados en el Evento de Exposición de Vehículos Eléctricos en Oxnard (National Drive Electric Week)
Bilingual commentary — The Shifting Landscape of Work
I have a family member who works at a fast-food restaurant. Several in my extended family work at medical offices and retail stores. Several others who were from the “old country” (Mexico) worked in agriculture. Some in the family drive trucks for a living. My brother worked at a warehouse, manually tracking inventory. A sister’s entire career was dedicated to serving as a grocery cashier. My father was a linotype machine operator. In her first working years, my daughter was a bank teller (relatively few people work as bank tellers anymore). I myself worked in the college classroom as an educator.
What do all these jobs have in common?
Answer: they have either disappeared, are being judged as less essential, or are about to exit stage left.
League of Women Voters and Community Environmental Council Invite Public To A Screening And Panel Discussion On Powerful New Climate Documentary through Sept. 30
The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara (LWVSB) and Community Environmental Council (CEC) are proud to present a month-long virtual screening and culminating expert panel discussion of The Race to Save the World by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Joe Gantz.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Dose of Levity’ and more news
UCSB — The Current — ‘The Art of Doing Science’ and more news
A global leader in collaborative research, the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics expands its reach with a series of free, virtual events for all.
Port of Hueneme — Exciting Day for Clean Air – Port’s Goal to Become a Zero Emission Hub
When a blueprint is created, it identifies and outlines a plan of action with the big picture in mind. In the case of the Port of Hueneme, their “blueprint project” known as SPARC (Sustainable Power Advancement & Resiliency for our Community) was created to chart a pathway to zero emission operations which is the Port’s overall long-term goal for air quality improvement and climate change adaptation. The plan will include an attainable timeline for the complete transition to a zero emission Port operation.
“This project will be an essential element in charting the Port’s pathway to a zero-emission future as part of the Port’s commitment to being a steward of the local environment,” said Jason Hodge, Oxnard Harbor District President. “The Port recognizes the urgency of addressing the climate crisis facing the globe and is undertaking multiple projects to facilitate reducing air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions from Port operations.”
Community Environmental Council Partners With California Climate Action Corps On Youth Initiative to Make Electric Vehicles More Accessible
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce a new collaboration with the California Climate Action Corps (CalCAC) to engage youth in efforts to make electric vehicles more accessible to low-income communities.
With support through CalCAC’s Summer Program, CEC worked with two other climate-focused organizations in the state – Ecology Action and Regeneración – Pájaro Valley Climate Action – to select six Electric Vehicle Equity Fellows from a pool of applicants. CalCAC, the country’s first state-level climate service corps, empowers individuals in California to serve, volunteer, and take concrete climate action in their own communities. Statewide, there are 236 fellows across 78 host partners in California.
Bilingual commentary — Will Electric Cars Save Us from Ourselves?
The infrastructure bill passed by the United States Senate last week has been hailed as a bipartisan victory. It was passed in the face of fierce opposition from a considerable number of Senate Republicans, regardless of how much the bill stands to benefit their constituents. After all, why make President Biden look good when you can make him look bad?
But enough Republican senators saw an opportunity to make things better for the country despite the usual threats from a certain former president. The bill is not yet signed into law, but it is expected to end up on President Biden’s desk for his signature after further discussions.