The deadline to apply for the statewide William C. Reeves New Investigator Award, sponsored by the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) and the University of California Mosquito Research Program (UCMRCP), is Friday, Jan. 6, 2006.

Given to the best written scientific paper within the general field of biology and control of vectors or vector-borne diseases, the award memorializes entomologist William C. Reeves (1916-2004) of UC Berkeley, widely regarded at one of the world's foremost authorities on the spread and control of mosquito-borne diseases.

Eligible to apply for the award are undergraduate or graduate students at a college or university in California, or post-graduate scientists working in California in biology or vector-borne diseases. To be considered, applicants must have received their degree no more than three years before submission of the scientific paper.

The winner will receive $1,000 in cash and a plaque, according to medical entomologist Gregory Lanzaro, UCMRCP director, and Christopher Voight, MVCAC director. Second- and third-place winners will receive $500 and $250, respectively.

Judging criteria is based on the quality of the scientific study, the written report, and the presentation made at the annual MVCAC conference, set Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2006 in the Hyatt Regency, Monterey, Calif.

Further information on the award is available on the UCMRCP Web site at www.ucmrp.ucdavis.edu/research or by contacting administrative assistant Nancy Dullum at (530) 752-6983 or at nadullum@ucdavis.edu. The MVCAC Web site is at www.mvcac.org.

UCMRP, headquartered at 396 Briggs Hall, UC Davis, is a statewide program established in 1972 by the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). The statewide programs focus on research and extension in solving priority problems in the management of California agriculture, natural resources, and human development.