The UC Davis campus is quiet again for winter break, and the new year is approaching quickly. Reflecting on 2023, it has been a year of both consistency and transition.
I was honored to have the opportunity to travel to Japan in November 2023 to participate in the 6th Annual Sakeology event hosted by Niigata University, Niigata Prefecture, and the Niigata Sake Brewers Association. Niigata is located about 150 miles northwest of Tokyo, bordering the Sea of Japan. The region is known for its rice cultivation and high-quality spring water that flows down from the neighboring mountains — two critical ingredients for producing sake!
The end of this year is approaching quickly, and the holiday season is here. Over the next month, students will prepare for finals, and we will continue planning our 2024 events while reflecting on the year with gratitude.
Instead of spending this past Halloween dispensing candy to trick-or-treaters, I traveled to Seattle to participate in the Google Food Lab. The Google Food Lab is a community of invited members working in the food and beverage space that meet biannually to discuss the sector's future, including pathways toward developing more healthful, environmentally beneficial, and socially responsible products and processes. It is always an engaging event that offers opportunities to learn about innovations and make connections with inspiring individuals worldwide.
My first three months as director at the Robert Mondavi Institute have gone by in a flash. I have enjoyed meeting with campus partners, collaborators, and supporters to learn how to continue highlighting food and beverage research and advancements in an enjoyable and approachable way. I'll continue these conversations, but I am already proud of the institute's fall programs.
Fall has arrived on campus with cooler days and a buzz of excitement as students move in and prepare for classes to start next week. It's one of my favorite times of the year, and I'm excited about the fall events we have lined up for you!
I'm honored to address you today as the new director of the Robert Mondavi Institute. If you missed the announcement, let me share my vision for the institute and background.
An academic institution’s ebbs and flows are ever-changing and comforting in their regularity. Students recently celebrated at various commencement ceremonies, and we wish them the best as they move on to new adventures and challenges. The campus has returned to its quiet summer atmosphere as activities slow down.
On June 7, 2023, the Wine Advisory Task Force recognized Robert Mondavi Institute Director and Professor Emeritus Andrew Waterhouse with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The California State Fair and the Wine Advisory Task Force recognize individuals and organizations for their accomplishments and service to the wine industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a person, family, or institution who are pioneers in the wine industry based on their lifetime contributions to the California wine industry.
It feels like we are on the cusp of Summer, with warmer temperatures bringing bees and blooms to the Good Life Garden at the heart of the Robert Mondavi Institute.
As you may have heard, after five years as director, I am leaving the Robert Mondavi Institute at the end of June, one year after my professorship retirement. The Dean’s Office is searching for the next director, ideally a professor with a passion for public outreach, and hopes to appoint my replacement by July 1.
It may still be raining in Northern California, but the winter quarter is ending for students with finals next week, and the trees on campus are starting to bloom! Spring ushers in a busy time with many intriguing events.
The Robert Mondavi Institute started the year with two sold-out Sips and Bites events. It was wonderful to see the Sensory Theater packed with attendees!
