Dr. Anil Shrestha (Viticulture and Enology) has been elected as the general secretary of the California Weed Science Society. The society has a four-year cabinet rotation cycle, so next year (2020) Dr. Shrestha moves up to vice president, then president (2021), and then past-president (2022).

The California Weed Science Society also presented Dr. Shrestha with its award of excellence in 2014.

Dr. Shrestha has won many campus and professional awards as a long-time member of the Plant Science Department faculty. Recently, he was named chair of the Viticulture and Enology Department.

His recent research documenting herbicide-resistant weed species has garnered national and statewide grant funding and sparked interest at grower and industry meetings.

The information generated by Dr. Shrestha's research has global implications and impacts.

"The outcome of this research has been a change in grower practices of herbicide use and stewardship in California," he said.

See more on Dr. Shrestha.

The Girl Scouts of Central California South has awarded Dr. Carol Fry Bohlin (Curriculum and Instruction) the Fresno 2019 Women Inspiring Girls Award.

This award is given to women who are go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders (G.I.R.L.). As a role model for girls, Bohlin has distinguished herself through exemplary achievements in her community and profession.

Teachers can inspire others and mold their passions. Dr. Bohlin herself was inspired by a passionate instructor while pursuing her graduate degree.

Dr. Miriam Leiva was Bohlin’s mathematics instructor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Leiva was inspiring in many ways. She was initially denied entrance to UNC Charlotte for graduate study in math because she was a woman. Later, she became the first American Latina to earn a doctorate in mathematics and mathematics education.

Being dedicated and passionate about math education and her students, Leiva inspired Bohlin to strive for her best. Bohlin later earned her doctorate in mathematics education with Leiva cheering for her along the way.

Bohlin has continued the theme of inspiration throughout her career, representing women in all aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

“I think seeing a female as an enthusiastic leader in STEM education encourages more girls to have the confidence to pursue a STEM career," she said. "I envision a world where girls and boys alike can be leaders with confidence, competence, and conviction, and be powerful agents for positive change in the world.”

See more on Dr. Bohlin.