In the second year of this program, Chancellor Gary S. May and academic leadership selected five fellows, four from the Academic Senate and one from the Academic Federation. Each fellow has received $5,000 in academic enrichment funds.

Eligibility extends to any Academic Senate or Academic Federation member from any UC Davis school or college, across all disciplines, at all levels, who have demonstrated a significant track record of abiding commitment to reducing opportunity gaps for underrepresented students and/or students from underserved communities. Eligible faculty will have spent substantial time in recruitment, academic progress and/or retention efforts.

“I congratulate the recipients on their recognition and thank them for their exceptional efforts,” said Richard Tucker, chair of the Academic Senate. “They have made, and continue to make, UC Davis a more inclusive learning environment.”

The write-up below is from the Committee on Affirmative Action and Diversity:

Aldrin V. Gomes

Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences; and Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, School of Medicine (Academic Senate)

He has demonstrated a major commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. He has created a wealth of knowledge about best practices for enhancing the undergraduate and graduate training of students from underrepresented, disabled and low socioeconomic status. He is the principal investigator of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers program to increase the number of talented underrepresented, disadvantaged and disabled undergraduate students who become leaders in biomedical and behavioral research. He also serves as principal investigator for the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program, which identifies and trains underrepresented graduate students to become part of the next generation of research leaders and innovators in biomedical and behavioral sciences.