The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or CA&ES, at UC Davis is known throughout the world for its expertise, educational opportunities and contributions to society. Much of that is due to the great dedication and efforts of faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the college.
Each year CA&ES recognizes individuals for their achievements, support, leadership and service to the college with an Award of Distinction honoring those contributions.
Thank you to current and past Award of Distinction winners who have played a key role in supporting the college, educating our students, funding important research and providing crucial advice. Your collaborative support has allowed us search out solutions for some of California’s and the world’s most pressing challenges.
ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Mark Couchman
UC Davis alumnus Mark Couchman ’80 maintains strong ties to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, not only through his professional achievements but also by giving back to the institution that helped shape his career.
He’s being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Alumni of the Year category.
Mark grew up in the Central Valley, where his family operated a dairy farm outside Modesto. With the help of a Cal Aggie Alumni scholarship, he attended UC Davis, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics and business management, followed by an MBA from UC Berkeley. He spent over a decade in the investment world, focusing on commercial real estate, before serving as president of Silverado Premium Properties and later as co-founder of Silverado
Investment Management where he’s led the development of premium wine grape vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast.
Through his ongoing support of programs such as Aggie Jumpstart, students from diverse backgrounds have access to essential resources and opportunities they need to excel at UC Davis and in their future careers.
He’s also a member of the CA&ES Dean’s Advisory Council and a trustee for the UC Davis Foundation.
“Mark Couchman is a true Aggie. He represents the best of Davis; he got a formative education in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which has allowed him to achieve great opportunities both professionally and personally.”
—Jacqueline Beckley ’72, trustee for the UC Davis Foundation and founder/owner of The Understanding & Insight Group LLC.
Nick Dokoozlian
Nick Dokoozlian, who is vice president of grape and wine research at E&J Gallo Winery and has shepherded millions of dollars in research funding to UC Davis on behalf of the industry, is being honored in the Alumni of the Year category with an Award of Distinction.
He is widely known as an innovator and researcher who developed and improved growing, processing and aging practices to enhance grape yield, wine quality and the sensory experience.
Dokoozlian graduated from UC Davis with a Ph.D. in plant physiology, studying how cultural practices and environmental factors affected grape and wine composition. He was a viticulturist and Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Viticulture and Enology for 15 years and is responsible for grape and wine research and innovation at E&J Gallo, the largest wine producer in the world.
Funding from the grape and wine industries has supported discoveries in grapevine genetics, precision fermentation, the understanding of chemistry to sensory relationships in wine, symposiums, the Foundation Plant Services grape program and other endeavors.
Dokoozlian is board chair of the American Vineyard Foundation, research chair of the National Grape Research Alliance, associate editor of the American Journal of Viticulture and Enology and a member of several professional and scientific societies.
“Dr. Dokoozlian has been declared by industry as ‘the most perfect viticultural mind our world has seen.’ He is responsible for research and innovation in grape and wine production, including growing practices that improve yield and quality, the development and application of grape and wine chemical quality metrics and the impacts of processing, fermentation and aging practices on wine composition and sensory characteristics.”
— Ben Montpetit, chair and professor, Department of Viticulture and Enology
M. Elizabeth Marder
M. Elizabeth Marder, who won the Outstanding Senior Award when she graduated UC Davis in 2011 and has gone on to a successful career as a California state scientist, is being honored with a CA&ES Award of Distinction in the Alumni of the Year category.
Marder earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental toxicology at UC Davis and her doctorate in environmental health sciences from Emory University. She returned to UC Davis as a guest lecturer in 2017 and was later named an assistant adjunct professor teaching graduate and undergraduate students.
She is a staff toxicologist with the California Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Investigations Branch, leading equity-based environmental health investigations and supporting the Toxicological Outbreak Program. Before that she worked in exposure and risk assessment with the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, where she also contributed to recruitment and outreach efforts, including mentoring initiatives for students under-represented in environmental health.
Marder is known as an exceptional mentor focused on service and a dedicated volunteer at campus events. She provides career guidance to students including one-on-one mentoring and workshops on navigating the process to becoming a government scientist.
“Dr. Marder is an exceptional example of a successful UC Davis alumna who has achieved
extraordinary success in her field and has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional excellence and a dedicated commitment to service. Dr. Marder has brought distinction to our college through her career and service activities, especially her outreach efforts.”
— Mathew Wood, associate professor of teaching, Department of Environmental Toxicology
EARLY CAREER ALUMNI
Miguel Luna
Miguel Luna, who graduated from UC Davis in 2014 and was named Viticulturist of the Year in 2020 by Wine Enthusiasts, is being honored with a CA&ES Award of Distinction in the Early Career Alumni category.
Luna has a reputation as a dedicated viticulturist, leader and mentor who strives not only to produce compelling wines but also work with communities and educate others about the industry.
At 13, he moved from his native Mexico to California and one year later began visiting his father who worked in vineyards, returning two years later to work on weekends and during the summer. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology and has interned at Pahlmeyer Winery, Dana Estates Wine, Atleier Melka, and Chateau de Fieuzal in Bordeaux, France.
Luna joined Silverado Farming Co. as a viticulturist in 2015 and became a partner in 2017, helping provide vineyard management services to some of Napa Valley’s top wine labels. He is a member of the Department of Viticulture and Enology’s Executive Leadership Board and as part of that work has helped broaden outreach and recruiting efforts to increase student diversity.
“Miguel is a young, talented and outstanding viticulturist who I am sure represents the highest values of CA&ES both in the industry and in the community. His charisma and professionalism have transformed him into a natural leader and mentor for the new generations, who respect him and know that his advice will open doors and provide them with opportunities.”
— Guillermo Garcia Zamora, manager, UC Davis Vineyard
DISTINGUISHED FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE
Lynda and Stewart Resnick
Lynda and Stewart Resnick have long been dedicated supporters of UC Davis, blending their philanthropy with a commitment to push forward new ideas in agriculture and environmental sciences.
They are being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Distinguished Friends of the College category.
The Resnicks own The Wonderful Company, known for brands such as Wonderful Pistachios, POM Wonderful and Halos. In 2022, the Resnicks donated $50 million to UC Davis to establish the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation that will support research and education in agricultural sustainability, precision agriculture and food security, building on the university’s strengths in these important areas.
In addition to creating cutting-edge facilities on campus, grants are awarded annually to faculty and specialists to explore new uses for agricultural byproducts and tackle challenges like resource efficiency and future food needs. Their gift also creates a home on campus for academic and career advising for the Wonderful Scholars Program, a scholarship initiative created by the Resnicks to support students from the Central Valley.
Stewart Resnick is a member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Board of Advisors, contributing his expertise to further strengthen the university’s mission of innovation and sustainability.
We are extremely grateful for Lynda and Stewart’s vision and commitment to future innovation. Their generosity is a testament to what is possible through philanthropy and will transform our ability to make significant advancements in sustainable agriculture, teaching and research.” –Helene R. Dillard, dean, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Bruce Taylor
Bruce Taylor’s commitment to UC Davis and the Salinas Valley runs deep, shaped by his roots in agriculture and his focus on supporting local growth. As chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms, a leading producer of salads and healthy fresh foods, Taylor has consistently supported efforts that benefit both the agricultural industry and nearby communities.
He’s being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Distinguished Friend of the College category.
Taylor is a third generation produce grower. After attending UC Berkeley and Harvard Business School, he joined the family business, Fresh Express, where he led the growth in the fresh cut
salads and retail bagged salad category. He later started Taylor Farms with a group of partners in 1995, which has grown to include 22 production facilities across North America.
He has been a steadfast partner to UC Davis, helping to establish the Center for Produce Safety with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 2007 and has previously served as a volunteer leader on the advisory board for the UC Davis World Food Center.
His influence extends nationally through leadership roles with organizations including the Produce Marketing Association, International Fresh Produce Association, and Western GrowersAssociation.
“Bruce is one of the most accomplished and successful agricultural leaders in California.
His volunteer involvement with the World Food Center and generous gifts to UC Davis both personally and through his corporation position him as an outstanding friend of the college.”
— Jim Lugg, president of J. Lugg and Associates
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY MEMBER
Rachael Goodhue
Professor Rachael Goodhue, who came to UC Davis in 1998 and has taken on many roles supporting students, staff, industry and government agencies, is being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Faculty Member category.
She is known as a dedicated professor, committed mentor and prolific researcher with a deep body of pioneering work on a variety of agriculture topics, including contract farming, industrial organization and the economics of pesticides.
In her time with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Goodhue served as department chair from July 2016 to December 2023, Academic Senate chair from 2016 to 2018 and director of the California Agribusiness Executive Seminar program since 2019. She won the Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentoring Award in 2022.
She is a fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, a public member of the California Walnut Board and California Walnut Commission since 2017 and is associate editor for the journals Agricultural and Food Economics, California Agriculture, and Review of Industrial Organization.
Goodhue also works with the California Department of Food and Agriculture analyzing the economic and management effects of potential pesticide regulations under consideration by the state.
“How many can match Rachael Goodhue’s record not only of excellent research, but also of service to California food and agriculture, and of teaching and mentoring that produce superb graduates? Her multidimensional excellence has contributed to making UC Davis a beacon of quality in agricultural and environmental economics and science.”
— Scott M. Swinton, department chair and distinguished professor, Michigan State University
EXCEPTIONAL EMERITI
Mary Delany
Professor Emerita Mary Delany’s willingness to step in when needed shows how much she cares about UC Davis. She left retirement to help lead the Department of Human Ecology as interim chair, graciously guiding the department through an important transition.
She’s being honored with an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Emeriti category.
Delany joined the university in 1995 as an assistant professor of developmental genetics, retiring in 2020. Throughout her 25-year career at UC Davis, she served as chair of the Department of Animal Science and held leadership roles in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, including associate dean, interim dean and executive associate dean. Delany took on the year-long human ecology interim chair role in 2023.
Her research program involved many graduate students and focused on avian genetics and genomics, significantly advancing the field of poultry genetics with insights into gene mapping, chromosome structure and mutations that impact development. She held the John and Joan Fiddyment Endowed Chair in Agriculture and is a fellow of the Poultry Science Association and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
With her interim role now complete, Delany plans to return to retirement, leaving a legacy of impactful research and leadership.
“Mary is deeply committed to the success of our students, staff and faculty. Her willingness to listen and champion their needs is a trademark of Mary’s leadership across her many years of service to our college. Mary generously agreed to come out of retirement to guide the Department of Human Ecology with compassion and deep administrative insight during a recent year of transition. We are fortunate that Mary was willing to share her expertise and commitment to excellence in this leadership role, to the benefit of the department, college and campus.”
— Sue Ebeler, associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
EXCEPTIONAL STAFF MEMBER
Adam Getchell
Adam Getchell is known for delivering exceptional technology services that meet the diverse needs of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean’s Office and academic departments.
He’s receiving an Award of Distinction in the Exceptional Staff Member category.
Getchell has been director of information technology since 2005. He leads the Computing Resources Unit (CRU) team, which provides top-tier computer support for students, staff and faculty in the college. Under his leadership, CRU has earned university-wide acclaim, particularly for creating essential online tools, including a platform for Give Day donations and a comprehensive course evaluation system.
Getchell spearheaded the development of a field management system for tracking agricultural research. He also ensured the seamless transition to hybrid learning during the pandemic by outfitting 50 classrooms with advanced technology. In 2015, he introduced the Slack messaging program to campus that has nearly 30,000 users.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UC Davis, and he continues to innovate on campus. Earlier this year, he helped launch PolicyWonk, a new application designed to streamline navigation of university policies. He’s helped implement new information security policies to safeguard the campus community against cyber threats.
“Adam has maintained a commitment to service on countless workgroups, committees, conferences and initiatives as a champion for modernization of IT systems and infrastructure and collaboration across unit boundaries. His 30 years of service have been marked by innovation, leadership and dedication to our college and university.”
— Brian McEligot, executive assistant dean of finance and administration, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences