The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis is a powerhouse of research, teaching and outreach recognized around the globe for its expertise, hands-on teaching and dedication to solving local, national and world challenges.
We couldn’t get there without the excellence and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the college.
Each year the college recognizes people for their outstanding achievements, support, leadership and service to the college with an Award of Distinction.
“Our award recipients represent the very best of the college,” said Dean Ashley M. Stokes. “We are honored to celebrate their leadership, innovation and dedication to others. They have made a lasting impact on our college, in our communities and beyond, and we are grateful for the many ways they embody the spirit of excellence and service that defines CA&ES.”
Congratulations to our 2026 Award of Distinction Recipients!
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Kathleen Nelson Feicht
Food scientist Kathleen “Katie” Nelson Feicht, who spent years in research and development at Pizza Hut and General Foods before founding Asta Food Research, is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Alumni of the Year category.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in food science at UC Davis and a master’s degree and Ph.D. at Cornell University. Feicht was on the General Foods team that developed the ice cream Soft Swirl, holds two patents and has helmed Asta Food Research for 40 years.
Feicht – an inspirational leader, mentor, innovator and advocate – is a dedicated ambassador for UC Davis.
She is a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and has served more than two decades on the UC Davis Food Science Leadership Board, with six of those years as chair.
Feicht was instrumental in obtaining a $50,000 donation from the Southern California Institute of Food Technologists Section to name a Department of Food Science and Technology student lounge in the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science.
She established an endowed chair to support research, teaching and experiential learning; and plays a key role in bringing UC Davis researchers to the annual Natural Products Expo West.
“Katie exemplifies the very best of UC Davis through her extraordinary professional accomplishments, visionary leadership, steadfast service to the university and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of food science while investing in future generations.”
– Leslie Herzog, vice president research services, The Understanding & Insight Group
EARLY CAREER ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Guillermo Garcia Zamora
Guillermo Garcia Zamora, the Department of Viticulture and Enology’s vineyard manager, has no small job.
He oversees 200 vineyard acres in Davis and Oakville Station in Napa County and has improved grapevine quality, sustainability practices, efficiency and financial stability during his six years at the post.
Garcia Zamora is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Early Career Alumni of the Year category in recognition of his leadership, innovation, teaching and unwavering commitment to the mission of the college.
He earned a master’s degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis in 2020, joining the department soon thereafter. Two weeks into the job, the Glass Fire erupted in Napa and Garcia Zamora and harvesters hustled to finish the work as fire could be seen on the horizon.
He has played a key role in teaching the next generation of viticulturists and winemakers while also collaborating with faculty on myriad research topics, including smoke taint, plant breeding and water optimization.
Garcia Zamora earned a graduate degree in plant nutrition and soil fertility at University of Granada in Spain and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, with a specialty in viticulture, enology and irrigation, at National University of Cuyo in Argentina.
“Guillermo is deeply committed to producing high-quality grapes while ensuring that the Oakville Station continues to serve as one of the world’s premiere viticulture research facilities. He consistently approaches every challenge with professionalism, passion and meticulous attention to detail. Whether managing daily vineyard operations or coordinating complex research trials, Guillermo’s commitment never wavers.” – Miguel Luna, partner, Silverado Farming Co.
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY
Huaijun Zhou
Animal geneticist Huaijun Zhou is known worldwide for his breakthrough discoveries and research on the chicken genome, finding ways to breed chickens to be more resistant to disease and other stresses.
His work, which has helped translate genomic discoveries into practical science, has also had broad implications for the livestock industry.
Zhou is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Faculty category
He is a dedicated leader, mentor and collaborator, playing key leadership roles in major national and international animal genomics initiatives. He has secured more than $40 million in competitive research funding, and his work has strengthened animal health, agricultural resilience and global food security.
Zhou, who is a Chancellor’s Leadership professor and has won the Chancellor’s Award for International Engagement, was director and principal investigator for the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Genomics to Improve Poultry.
He was awarded the National Academy of Sciences Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences and the Innovation in Animal Breeding and Genetics Award from the American Society of Animal Sciences. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The World Food Prize Foundation named him to their inaugural Top Agri-Food Pioneers list.
“Dr. Zhou is truly a star in agricultural sciences research and there is no sign that he is slowing his upward trajectory. He has no hesitancy to propel scientific frontiers into new areas. He does this with excellent insight into the important, emerging issues and with the uncanny ability to rapidly acquire all the needed skills, information and collaborative teams to be successful.” – Susan Lamont, C.F. Curtiss distinguished professor emerita, Iowa State University of Science and Technology
DISTINGUISHED FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE
Marvin Shanken
Marvin R. Shanken and the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation have had an outsized impact on UC Davis and the global wine industry over four decades.
The publisher and founder of lifestyle publications like Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado and Whisky Advocate is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Distinguished Friend of the College category.
Shanken, the chairman of M. Shanken Communications, founded the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation in 1982 and has invested more than $50 million in wine and hospitality education. That includes $4.3 million in scholarships to 650 graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Viticulture and Enology.
The ripple effect of those scholarships has been widespread with scholars teaching and researching at more than 25 colleges or universities worldwide, as well as educating the next generation of industry experts.
Through his work, Shanken’s publications have elevated the work of UC Davis to a global stage by championing the achievements of faculty, students, alumni and partners.
In 2019, the Association of Magazine Media bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Shanken and in 2012 the James Beard Foundation named him to their “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage” list.
“Few individuals or organizations have demonstrated such consistent dedication … over such an extended period. Their more than 40-year partnership has strengthened academic excellence, expanded educational access, advanced scientific discovery and elevated UC Davis’ global leadership in viticulture and enology.” – Ben Montpetit, professor and chair, Department of Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis
DISTINGUISHED FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE
Jacque and Wayne Bartholomew
Jacque and Wayne Bartholomew met and fell in love at UC Davis in the 1960s and have been generous with their time, investments and outreach ever since.
The couple is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Distinguished Friend of the College category.
The Bartholomews are dedicated Aggies who have given to more than 50 campus initiatives, programs, departments, colleges and UC Davis Health. They have also shown a deep commitment to animal science and agriculture students, routinely attending college events and functions.
They have served on numerous volunteer committees and giving organizations, including the Leadership Giving Society’s Chancellor’s Laureates group. Jacque was the first woman to lead the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, the Davis Chancellor’s Club and the UC Davis Library Associates.
The couple was awarded a UC Davis Medal in 2022 in honor of extraordinary contributions that embody the campus vision of excellence. They shared the 2010 Charles J. Soderquist Award in recognition of volunteer and philanthropic leadership, and at separate times, both have been awarded the Cal Aggie Alumni Association’s Jerry Fielder Memorial Award for their service to the university.
"The Bartholomews are deeply interwoven into the fabric of both Davis and UC Davis. If the campus needs something, they have a network of people they know, and they can mobilize that network. They’ve done a lot for the university and really understand the value of our college.” – Frank Mitloehner, chair, Department of Animal Science and director, CLEAR Center
EXCEPTIONAL STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Melissa Haworth
If you want to bring people together, build relationships and foster partnerships, Melissa Hayworth is the person to make that happen.
The executive director of corporate and foundation engagement is a dedicated Aggie, caring colleague, insightful strategist and champion of the college’s mission and goals.
Haworth, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and an M.B.A. from UC Davis, is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Staff Member of the Year category.
In her 28 years as staff at UC Davis, Haworth has held several roles on the development and external relations team for CA&ES. Before that, she supported special events programming for the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.
Colleagues say she is dependable, communicative, thoughtful and generous with her time and knowledge. Haworth also possesses deep institutional knowledge and has a knack for connecting people around similar goals and aspirations.
She works tirelessly with industry, partners and faculty to identify collaboration opportunities, playing a key role in organizing the annual college symposium and helping launch the State of the Science summit. She also developed Making Connections, which brought new faculty together with industry partners to learn about the evolving agriculture and environmental landscape of California.
“Melissa Haworth’s career is a remarkable example of what it means to give back to one’s alma mater. What impresses me most is Melissa’s ability to connect and care for the people: she listens closely to what faculty need, understands deeply what donors care about and finds the common ground where both can thrive.” – Selina Wang, professor of Cooperative Extension, Department of Food Science and Technology; and faculty director, UC Davis Olive Center.
EXCEPTIONAL EMERITI
Frank Zalom
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Frank Zalom is a giant in the field of agricultural entomology and known as a prolific researcher, mentor and teacher.
The longtime Aggie and integrated pest management expert is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Emeriti category.
Zalom earned his Ph.D. in entomology from UC Davis in 1978 and returned to campus as Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty in 1980, while also joining the University of California Statewide IPM program, serving as director for 16 years. He also oversaw grant reviews for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including the 1890 Capacity Building Grant Program as an emeritus.
The entomologist, who retired in 2018 and returned as a part-time professor, remains an inquisitive and active researcher even in retirement, authoring 387 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters over his career.
The Fulbright Scholar is a fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Royal Entomological Society and Entomological Society of America of which he is also an honorary member and past president. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Economic Entomology.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation presented Zalom its Lifetime IPM Achievement Award in 2024.
“His leadership, public service, scientific excellence, integrity, work ethic and unwavering commitment to sustainable agriculture have earned him the admiration of colleagues around the world. He is a tireless advocate for Integrated Pest Management, an exceptional mentor and a walking encyclopedia of agricultural knowledge.” – Walter Leal, distinguished professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UC Davis
EXCEPTIONAL EMERITI
William Bill Lacy
William “Bill” Lacy is a community leader, philanthropist, teacher and mentor who is dedicated to global learning and community development. He is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Emeriti category.
Lacy, who retired in 2021but remains active on several committees and associations, was a professor in the Department of Human Ecology, serving as interim chair from 2017 to 2019. He was also the founding Vice Provost for University Outreach and International Programs from 1999 to 2014.
He played a key role in establishing the New Initiatives/Seed Grant Program, which distributed $1.5 million in internal funding, leveraging more than $30 million in external grants. Lacy also oversaw the UC Davis Education Abroad Center and championed programs that increased student participation in international education. He founded and then chaired for three years the UC Senior International Leader’s Council.
Lacy is a fierce advocate for community-based learning and helped established an endowed fund to support the Isao Fujimoto Applied Research Award in honor of the late sociologist and community activist.
Prior to UC Davis, Lacy held academic and administrative positions at Cornell University, Penn State University, University of Kentucky and Colgate University. He also served in the U.S. Army.
“Bill’s leadership is marked by a distinctive combination of strategic thinking and human-centered practice. He builds programs that endure because he builds relationship that endure. He is a connecter – of people, ideas and opportunities – and his work consistently strengthens the intellectual and civic fabric of UC Davis.” – Catherine Brinkley, associate professor, Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis