Endowments
Introduction
The revolution in genomics has given plant scientists the tools to begin developing a comprehensive understanding of how plants function as whole organisms – how they adapt to the environment, fight infection, ward off competition from other plants, and manipulate the behavior of animals such as feeding insects. As scientists, CEPCEB researchers are driven to understand this amazingly diverse group of living organisms that underpins all life on Earth. Our goal is to apply the knowledge of how plants respond to their dynamic environment toward manipulation of crop plants safely and efficiently for better and more sustainable production.
Descriptions of endowments and funds established for CEPCEB are below. We are extremely grateful to all our benefactors who have so generously supported our mission and endeavors. It is our goal that these funds will be instrumental in preparing a new generation of scientists for this exciting new era in the biological sciences.
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Donors
ERNST AND HELEN LEIBACHER ENDOWED CHAIR FUND |
 |
HELEN LEIBACHER
with Natasha Raikhel, 2003 |
Helen Leibacher is from Chicago. Her dear husband Ernst, who passed away on June 24, 2000, grew up in Inglewood, California. Ernst served on the City Council in Los Angeles and was a field officer for the League of California Cities. He served in the United States in a unit that was the predecessor of the Navy Seals.
Ernst graduate from Georgetown University. In his senior thesis, which was a study of the Merchant Marine, he postulated that war was inevitable and predicted that one would begin by 1939. His professor, who was also Undersecretary of Commerce at the time, said that such a prediction was impossible and made Ernst delete the reference to the war's inevitability from his thesis.
In 1958 on New Year's Eve, the Lebachers purchased a grapefruit grove in Sun City. In 1999, they donated this much-appreciated property to UCR. The proceeds from the sale of this property created the Ernst and Helen Leibacher Endowed Fund in Botany and Plant Sciences, which in 2001 became the Endowed Chair fund for CEPCEB Director, Natasha Raikhel. This fund was intended to facilitate important research by funding programs that help sustain and strengthen UCR's agricultural research. Said Helen, "Both Ernst and I appreciate that something good can be done with the grove."
The Center for Plant Cell Biology honors Ernst and Helen Leibacher as Laureates and is grateful for their commitment to the University of California, Riverside |
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NEIL CAMPBELL CEPCEP UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH |
 |
NEIL CAMPBELL
Preparing for "An Interview with Natasha Raikhel," published in Biology, 7th edition, by Campbell, NA and Reece, JR (2005), Benjamin Cummings Publishing Co., San Francisco. |
In memory of Neil Campbell, Visiting Scholar in the Botany & Plant Sciences department for 15 years, and his extraordinary contribution to biology education and research, CEPCEB started recognizing in 2005 the Neil Campbell CEPCEB Undergraduate Student Award for Outstanding Research. This award is part of a scholarship fund recognizing the outstanding research achievements of tomorrow's young scientists in the areas of plant cell/molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and bioengineering. Dr. Neil Campbell died of heart failure on Thursday, October 21, 2004, at the age of 58.
Dr. Campbell earned his doctorate in plant biology at UCR in 1975; he taught at Pomona College, Cornell University and San Bernardino Valley College before returning to UCR in 1989 where he worked in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences as a specialist in biology education. Dr. Campbell is known internationally for his biology textbooks; "Biology" is the most widely used English-language scientific textbook in the world and has been translated into eight languages. In addition to a long-history of scholarship, Dr. Campbell leaves a legacy of philanthropy; he earned the status of Chancellor's Associate as a generous donor to the campus. He was also named UCR's Distinguished Alumnus by the UCR Alumni Association in 2001.
The Center for Plant Cell Biology is indebted to Neil Campbell and his wife, Rochelle, for their generous support. We are proud to annually present the Neil Campbell CEPCEB Undergraduate Student Award for Outstanding Research, after this distinguished educator and philanthropist.
The Center for Plant Cell Biology is indebted to Neil Campbell and his wife, Rochelle, for their generous support. We are proud to annually present the Neil Campbell CEPCEB Undergraduate Student Award for Outstanding Research, after this distinguished educator and philanthropist. |
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NOEL T. and DIANE III KEEN ENDOWED FUND |
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NOEL KEEN
Eminent Scientist and CEPCEB Member |
CEPCEB annually sponsors an annual special seminar and awards ceremony where an invited prominent scientist presents his or her work. In 2006, this seminar was titled the Noel T. Keen Lecture after one of the first supporters and members of CEPCEB, Dr. Noel Keen. Dr. Keen, who passed away in April 2002, was an eminent scholar who brought considerable recognition to UCR. Recently, Dr. Keen's wife, Diana, generously decided to establish an endowment to help support CEPCEB's special lecture.
A member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Noel spent his entire academic career at UCR. He joined the UCR community in 1968, having earned his degrees in botany and plant pathology at Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He earned a stellar reputation with research that examined how plants recognize disease agents or pests, a trait that can be implanted in other crop varieties to boost food supplies. Along with former UCR biochemists Fran Jurnak and Marilyn D. Yoder, Noel discovered a new bacterial enzyme responsible for rot in potatoes, tomatoes, apples and tropical plants.
Noel, holder of the Johnson Endowed Chair in Molecular Biology, chaired the UCR Department of Plant Pathology from 1983 to 1989. He served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals and as keynote speaker at numerous conferences. At the time of his death, Noel was also serving as President of the American Phytopathological Society (APS), an international scientific organization devoted to the study of plant diseases and their control.
His innovative work influenced the research directions of many laboratories worldwide. His research showed that plants have chemical recognition systems, much like animals have immune systems, which trigger a defense response. His work provides the scientific foundation for breeding or genetically engineering plants with disease resistance, which will reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Noel was UCR's 1996 Faculty Research Lecturer, the highest honor granted by the campus for research. He had more than 170 technical publications, a string of honorary titles and a legacy of training accomplished graduate students.
The Center for Plant Cell Biology is extremely appreciate of Diane Keen's generous support, and are honored to name our most special lecture in memory of Dr. Noel Keen's significant contribution to the world of science and the mission of CEPCEB. |
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CEPCEB Award Fund
Background:
The CEPCEB Award Fund was established in 2002 to provide critical scholarship support to promising young scientists in perpetuity. These awards annually recognize research excellence
in plant cell biology, genomics and bioinformatics by pre-college students,
undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers. The
Award Fund also sponsors an annual special seminar and awards ceremony where an
invited prominent scientist presents his or her work. The chart below lists all award recipients and special lecturers to date. If you would like to help CEPCEB in honoring the talent and dedication of these deserving young scientists, please read How to Contribute to CEPCEB. All donations are tax deductible.
As mentioned, the Center has established several special annual awards:
- The Neil Campbell CEPCEB Undergraduate Student Award for Outstanding Research ($500)
- The CEPCEB Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Research ($500)
- The CEPCEB Postdoctoral Award for Outstanding Research ($500)
- The CEPCEB Inland Region Science Fair Award [High School] ($100)
- The CEPCEB California State Science Fair Award [High School] ($1,000)
- Honorarium for Noel Keen Special Lecturer ($500)
Previous Outstanding Research Award Recipients and Special Lecturers:
YEAR |
Noel Keen Special Lecturer |
CEPCEB Postgraduate Awardee(s) |
CEPCEB Graduate Student Awardee(s) |
Neil Campbell CEPCEB Undergraduate Student Awardee(s)
[started in 2005]
|
California State Science Fair CEPCEB Plant Cell Biology Awardee(s)
[High-School] |
Regional Inland Empire Science Fair CEPCEB Plant Cell Biology Awardee(s)
[High School] |
2003 |
FREDERICK AUSUBEL
Dept. of Genetics
Harvard Medical School
|
YING FU
Z. Yang Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences
HONGWEI LI
S. W. Ding Lab
Plant Pathology
|
YING GU
Z. Yang Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
-NA- |
SUDEEP BANERJEE
Clovis West High School, Fresno
Honorable Mentions :
KATHERINE HILL
Woodbridge High School,
Irvine
ANAND S. BHAGWAT
Torrey Pines High School, Encinitas
|
LOGAN CREIGHTON
Cornerstone Christian School, Chino
|
2004 |
JEFF DANGL
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
|
AUDREY AH FONG
H. Judelson Lab
Plant Pathology
|
HAIFENG LI
T. Jiang Lab
Computer Science & Eng.
SUNRAN KIM
E. Lord Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences
|
-NA- |
MORIAH NACHBAUER
Crystal Springs Uplands School, Hillsborough
Honorable Mentions :
EDITH A. PIERRE-JEROME
Mount Miguel High School, Spring Valley
SALLY E. STANTON
Los Gatos High School,
Los Gatos
|
MIRAE YANG
ANGELICO RAZON
Corona
|
2005 |
CHRIS SOMERVILLE
Dept. of Plant Biology
Carnegie Institution of Washington/
Stanford University
|
JAN ZOUHAR
N. Raikhel Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
WAN-CHING LIN
P. Springer Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
JOSH LAURICHA
T. Girke Lab
Bioinformatics Core |
DANIELLE ANDREWS
Torrey Pines High School, Encinitas
Honorable Mentions:
ALEKSANDR GORIN
Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy,
San Diego
JEFFREY L. JENSEN
High Tech High School,
San Diego
OLIVER RICKARD
Arcata High School,
Arcata
|
VASILIOS MORIKOS
Poly High School,
Riverside
|
2006 |
JOANNE CHORY
Plant Biology Laboratory
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies |
RUI LU
S.W. Ding Lab
Plant Pathology |
KAI HSEIH
A. Huang Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
DALE AROMDEE
L. Walling Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences
|
VINAY TRIPURANENI
Clovis West High School, Fresno
Honorable Mentions:
SEAN PI
North Torrance High School, Torrance
|
SRAVYA KEREMANE
John W. North High School, Riverside
Honorable Mention:
VASILIOS MORIKIS
Poly High School,
Riverside |
2007 |
BERNHARD PALSSON
Dept. of Bioengineering
University of California, San Diego
|
TAKESHI FUKAO
J. Bailey-Serres Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences
|
XIAO-HONG WANG
S.W. Ding Lab
Plant Pathology |
MONI BHATTACHARYA
H. Smith Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences
|
ALEX NOTHNAGEL
John W. North High School
Honorable Mention:
SHADMAN CHOWDHURY
|
VASILIOS MORIKOS
Poly High School,
Riverside
Honorable Mention:
SRAVYA KEREMANE
North High School,
Riverside |
2008 |
GLORIA CORUZZI
Dept. of Biology
New York University
|
MARCELA ROJAS-PIERCE and
EUN-JU (JULIE) SOHN
N. Raikhel Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
COLLEEN KNOTH
T. Eulgem Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
ZUH JYH (DANIEL) LIN
H. Smith Lab
Botany & Plant Sciences |
|
SRAVYA KEREMANE
John W. North High School,
Riverside
|
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How to Contribute to CEPCEB
Contributions to the CEPCEB Award Fund:
If you would like to support the CEPCEB Award Fund, please follow the steps below. The donation is tax deductible.
- Make a check to "UC Regents" and mail it to:
Nick Rainsberry
Institute for Integrative Genome Biology
Keen Hall, Room 2020
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
- Write a letter describing the contribution to accompany the check. The letter must state that the contribution is for the CEPCEB Award Fund and that it is an “unrestricted gift.” You will receive acknowledgement expressing the Center's gratitude and a receipt of your contribution for tax purposes.
Additional Contributions to CEPCEB:
If you have a specific request for how the donation should be spent, please visit UCR's Online Gift Form. You can designate contributions for the Center for Plant Cell Biology in the "Comments" section.
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