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School of Biological Sciences School of Biological Sciences

UCSD Near You Program Connects UC San Diego with Alumni in New York and Bay Area

October 22, 2008

By Becky Biegelsen

The University of California, San Diego's acclaimed UCSD Near You alumni outreach program continues this fall in New York City and the Bay Area. This innovative series brings UC San Diego's outstanding faculty and alumni speakers together with fellow graduates, parents and friends around the country. At each event, speakers share their research and accomplishments that help to enhance the university's local impact, national influence and global reach. To date, more than 1,000 alumni have reconnected with the university through UCSD Near You.

" UCSD Near You keeps our alumni informed about UC San Diego's up-to-the-minute news and research breakthroughs, and builds their engagement with the university," notes Armin Afsahi, assistant vice chancellor of Alumni Affairs at UC San Diego and executive director of the UCSD Alumni Association. "These exciting educational events offer a great opportunity for alumni to network with fellow graduates who reside in their same area."

UCSD Near You fall events, open to UC San Diego alumni and parents, include:

  • "Beyond the Headlines: The Real Promise and Future of Bio-Fuels"
    Steve A. Kay, Ph.D., Dean, UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences
    October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: Palo Alto Hills Golf Course and Country Club
    October 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: UC San Francisco's Mission Bay Conference Center

    Rising oil prices, along with an increased awareness of global warming, have spurred a race to develop alternative energy sources. Kay, a renowned plant scientist and member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, will share the exciting promise of algae-based biofuels. He has advised industry analysts and policymakers and recently launched the San Diego Center for Algae-based Biofuels (SDCAB), a regional consortium and premier public/private partnership dedicated to the advancement of algae-based biofuels research.

  • "From a Mockingbird to Carnegie Hall: The Revolution of Sound Design"
    Shahrokh Yadegari, Ph.D. '04, Director of Sound Design, UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance
    October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: Trattoria Dell'Arte Restaurant, New York City

    Over a decade ago, inspiration came to Iranian-American musician Yadegari from a mockingbird. He recorded the bird's nightly songs, and then played them back. "The bird was so excited to hear its own singing," he explains "Everything changed: his energy, his performance, his song." Translating this experience into the world of music, Yadegari developed a software program to replicate the effect for acoustic musicians. This melding of technology and art has yielded remarkable results in the evolution of theatrical sound design.

For more information about UCSD Near You and to register for events, please visit ucsdnearyou.ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-3900.

Contacts

Media Contact: Becky Biegelsen, 858-822-3353

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