Skip to main content

Rep. Panetta Announces $890,044 Federal Grant for CSUMB Biodiversity and Conservation Project

SALINAS, CA – On Tuesday, February 22, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced an $890,044 federal grant funded by the National Science Foundation through the American Rescue Plan for California State University, Monterey Bay, to study the evolutionary mechanisms of biodiversity and species conservation. The project will focus on classroom-based undergraduate research experiences, and the creation of a learning and mentoring community focused around biodiversity and evolutionary genetics. The project will also support the development of K-12 STEM teachers in rural communities by engaging and training pre-service teachers in the principles of evolutionary biology and research. “CSUMB is becoming a leading institution for biodiversity and conservation research, and they deserve additional federal resources to educate the next generation of scientists, teachers, and experts,” said Rep. Panetta. “This funding provided through the American Rescue Plan will serve as a model for how the federal government can support local universities in their research and education efforts. The project will engage the undergraduate community, grow the pipeline of rural community STEM teachers, and expand our knowledge of different ecological species here on the Central Coast.” "The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is the National Science Foundation's most prestigious award in support of early-career faculty who have demonstrated early promise to be leaders in their field of study and in their universities,” said Andrew Lawson, Dean of the College of Science at CSUMB. “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Alter and this award which seeks to understand the genomic processes which underlie speciation using Rockfish in the Northeast Pacific as a model.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

  January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23.    José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield.  The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding.  The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case.  The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.