Twelve UC researchers elected to NAS

The National Academy of Sciences has announced that 12 researchers affiliated with the University of California are among its 72 newly elected members this year. No other university in the world claimed more than six spots in this year’s election.

Every year, the organization’s members pick among new candidates based on their achievements in the fields of scientific and engineering research. Election to membership in the academy is considered one of the top honors accorded to American engineers and scientists.

“Election to the National Academy of Sciences is an exceptional honor,” UC President Robert C. Dynes — himself an NAS member since 1989 — stated in a university press release. “The election of these researchers confirms once again the strength of our faculty in mathematics, science and engineering.“

Overall, UCLA led the university with four new memberships, trailed by UCSD and UC Berkeley with three each. UC Santa Barbara had two professors on the list.

At UCSD, the honorees included bioengineering department chair Shu Chien, political science department chair Gary Cox and pharmacology professor Michael Karin.

Cox was one of only two political scientists chosen by the academy.

Incorporated by Congress in 1863 — when it was approved by President Abraham Lincoln — the private organization serves as the government’s official adviser on the topics of science and technology.

Grads likely to face stiff job competition

Though graduating college seniors will be entering one of the best job markets in recent years, most will still likely face off against a highly competitive pool of contenders, online career services provider Monster has reported in an annual survey.

Almost two-thirds of employers told the company that they expected at least 25 applicants to compete for every new job opening, the MonsterTRAK student recruitment unit concluded in the report.

“Our survey results confirm that in order to stand out from the crowd, entry-level job seekers must be vigilant about the search process,” Senior Vice President Michelle Forker stated in a company announcement. “For many, the transition from school to the working world can be both exciting and daunting; smart graduates will successfully enter this next phase by approaching the job hunt with gusto and creativity.”

Forker told students to begin speaking with campus counselors well ahead of time and to approach faculty and alumni for contacts in various industries.

One-third of employees reported to the survey that they considered relevant work experience as the most important factor in deciding on new hires. Almost a third also said that the biggest mistake of college graduates in interviews is not carrying out enough research about the company and the industry.

Though 72 percent of employers said they expected a thank-you letter or e-mail after interviews, only 38 percent of graduates sent one, Monster reported.

Nixon aide to discuss Watergate at talks

President Richard Nixon’s former deputy assistant, Alexander Butterfield, who first disclosed to members of Congress the existence of Nixon’s secret Oval Office recording system, will appear at two campus talks to discuss his former employer and the history surrounding his disgraced resignation.

Butterfield’s bombshell disclosure proved to be vital in documenting the scandalous cover-up by top White House officials, revelations that eventually pushed Nixon to leave office.

On May 10, Butterfield will hold a talk about Nixon himself and on May 17 he will follow up with a second installment on the Watergate controversy. Both talks will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Neurosciences Institute.

New findings may help combat cancer

Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have discovered an unexpected “lock-and-key” mechanism that plays a crucial role in allowing the formation of new blood vessels. The discovery promises to lead to new ways to stop the growth of cancerous tumors by cutting off their blood supply, they reported.

In a study to be published in June, the researchers will outline their discovery of an important protein that puts the finishing touches on new blood vessels by allowing two layers of blood vessels to recognize each other and link together. The chemical had previously been identified as a key regulator of immune system functions.