-- Deirdre Newman UCI earth scientist named...

-- Deirdre Newman

UCI earth scientist named endowed chair

UC Irvine atmospheric scientist Michael Prather, one of the

world’s top experts in global climate change, has been named the Fred

Kavli Endowed Chair in Earth System Science.

The position was created with a $1-million gift from The Kavli

Foundation, founded by Santa Barbara entrepreneur Fred Kavli. The

foundation gave the gift to the Department of Earth System Science so

that an internationally prominent researcher in the geosciences could

hold the new chair. Prather’s new position was announced Tuesday.

“Michael Prather’s scientific contributions to our understanding

of the atmospheric processes behind such phenomena as global warming

makes him a fitting recipient of the Kavli chair,” said UCI

Chancellor Ralph J. Cicerone, who is also an earth system science

researcher. “He is a wonderful colleague and has been instrumental in

building UCI’s reputation as a leader in this vital scientific

field.”

Prather, who came to UCI in 1992 as a professor of Earth system

science, has gained international recognition for research on

atmospheric greenhouse gases such as methane and ozone. In his work,

he creates detailed mathematical models that simulate the physical,

chemical and biological processes determining the composition of the

atmosphere.

With these computer models, he can predict the buildup of

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and show how different human and

natural factors can interact.

His research has proven essential to understanding how greenhouse

gases affect global climate change. His work has been influential in

the drafting of international environmental standards such as the

Montreal and Kyoto protocols.

“This is a great honor. As the first Fred Kavli Endowed Chair in

Earth System Science, I take special pride in the opportunity that

the position provides the department and its researchers,” Prather

said.

Prather received undergraduate degrees in mathematics from Yale

University and physics from Oxford University and a doctorate in

astronomy and astrophysics from Yale. Before joining the UCI faculty,

he directed research at Harvard University and the Goddard Institute

for Space Studies.

A fellow of the American Geophysical Union and a member of the

Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, he served from 1997 through

2001 as editor-in-chief of Geophysical Research Letters, the leading

journal in its field.

Foundation raising funds for teacher grants

Members of the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation will be at Borders

Books Music and Cafe across from Triangle Square in Costa Mesa all

weekend to drum up support for teachers. The foundation will be

trying to raise money for its Grants to Teachers program. The program

awards a variety of unique grants to teachers in February.

Cheerleaders from Estancia High School will also be on hand as

part of their community service hours.

Auto Club will host car show and inspections

Car safety inspections will be performed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

today at the second annual Car Care Fair and Car Show at the Auto

Club’s office at 3333 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Free vehicle inspections and maintenance advice will be offered on

a drop-in basis.

Many vintage vehicles will be on display during the car show

portion.