There is no way around the fact that May has been a difficult month for our community. The violent attacks on three of our community members have left us shocked and horrified. We are still grappling with the heartache we feel over the loss of UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm and Davis resident Henry Breaux whose mission in life was to define compassion. We also hold space for the third victim, Kimberlee Guillory, and hope that she is recovering well. Karim was a beloved and exceptionally bright student and he is missed dearly. The Karim Majdi Abou Najm Memorial Undergraduate Student Research Award has been established in his memory for those looking to contribute in some way.

Recovering from a tragedy like this takes time, and we recognize the ripple effect this event has had on our community. From our advisors, staff and faculty who diligently care for the wellbeing of our students, to the students who trust us to protect them while they call UC Davis their home, we see you, and we share your grief.

But just as we care for our students, we also must care for our staff and faculty. If you are feeling overwhelmed, need support, have been impacted by these events or would appreciate a confidential space to process, please reach out to our Academic and Staff Assistance program (ASAP).

Students are encouraged to contact Aggie Mental Health. Our embedded mental health counselor is available to meet with our CA&ES undergraduates who need extra support with connecting to a counselor. There is now increased availability at Student Health and Counseling Services to support students during this time. Students can set up appointments online here.  

Focusing on students, outreach and research

May has been a busy month for faculty, and there are several interesting research stories to highlight. The series of atmospheric rivers and excessive moisture triggered latent pathogens in some almond orchards in California, and our CE specialists are out in the field working directly with farmers to identify pathogens and help with solutions. You can read about this work and watch the video here. We’ve unlocked information about the chicken genome and developed economic solutions for plugging inactive wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Our students are outside in this beautiful weather getting hands-on field training in the Arboretum, measuring water levels in rivers, and meeting with farmers. We also celebrate several staff and faculty, including our latest inductee into the National Academy of Sciences.

As a college and community, we continue to persevere—the stresses of the world can seem unrelenting at times, but these recent hardships do not define us. I continue to be impressed by the resilience of our community and the care and support we provide for each other, especially in the wake of a tragedy. I am inspired by your work, your commitment and the dedication you bring to our students, research and outreach. But please remember to take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take breaks, schedule a vacation and refuel your soul.