Chemical ecologist Walter Leal, professor and former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, is a newly elected Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of America. Fellows are nominated and selected for their significant contributions to insect science.

The Royal Entomological Society plays a national and international role in disseminating information about insects and improving communication among entomologists. Founded in London in 1833, it is a successor to a number of short-lived societies dating back to 1745. In 1885 Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the society. In the centennial year of 1933, King George V added the word “Royal” to the title of the organization.

In addition to FRES honor, Leal just received from his native Brazil the second National Award of Chemical Ecology, an award memorializing his former mentor, professor Jose Tercio Barbosa. The award includes a book on the Museum of Contemporary Art Niteroi signed by internationally known Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, 104, a pioneer of modern architecture.

Leal, educated in Brazil and Japan, holds a doctorate in applied biochemistry from Tsukuba University, Japan, and also earned degrees in chemical engineering and agricultural chemistry.

A pioneer in the field of insect communication and on the cutting edge of research, Leal focuses his research on how insects detect smells, communicate with their species, detect host and non-host plants, and detect prey. For his innovative approaches to insect olfaction problems, the Entomological Society of America named him the 2011 recipient of Entomological Society of America’s Nan-Yao Su Award for Innovation and Creativity in Entomology.

Leal also is a Fellow of the ESA and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He served as president of the International Society of Chemical Ecology and of ESA’s Integrative Physiological and Molecular Insect System Section. He received ESA’s 2008 Recognition Award in Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology; ISCE’s 2007 Silverstein-Simeone Award; and the highest medals of honor from the Entomological Society of Brazil and the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology.

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Enrique Lavernia, a UC Davis engineering professor, has received one of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans’ distinguished scientists awards.

The society has been presenting such awards since 1997, recognizing contributions to the field of science and dedication to teaching and the mentoring of under-represented minority students, to further the society’s mission to foster the success of Hispanic-Chicano and Native American scientists.

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Herbert “Bert” Mason, 62, of Fresno, has been appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board, where he previously served from 1999 to 2002. Mason is a professor emeritus at Cal State Fresno, where he taught from 1983 to 2010.

Mason received his doctorate in agricultural economics from UC Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $128,109. Mason is a Democrat.

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Annaliese Franz, a UC Davis assistant professor of chemistry, has been named by the American Chemical Society’s Women Chemists Committee as a member of the society’s first group of Rising Stars.

Ten chemists comprise the inaugural class of Rising Stars, established as a way to recognize mid-career scientists who have made significant contributions to the chemical enterprise. Franz joined the department of chemistry in 2007 after postdoctoral work at Harvard University. Her work focuses on new ways to make small organic molecules and has particular relevance for pharmaceutical chemistry.

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Courtney Joslin, a UC Davis acting professor at the School of Law, has been named by the National LGBT Bar Association to the 2011 list of the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.

Joslin is a scholar in the field of family and relationship recognition, with a particular focus on same-sex and nonmarital couples.

The LGBT Bar, an affiliate of the American Bar Association, recognizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal professionals “who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBT equality.”

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Ricardo Castro, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and materials science, is the recipient of a Young Investigator Award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Candidates for the Young Investigator Award must have contributed in an outstanding and innovative way to the progress of research in science and engineering.

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Do you know of someone who has won an award or accomplished something noteworthy? Send it, preferably by email, to [email protected], or to Name droppers, The Davis Enterprise, P.O. Box 1470, Davis, CA 95617.

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