Lawren Sack, professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, along with graduate student Christine Scoffoni, three UCLA undergraduate researchers, and colleagues have discovered new laws that determine the construction of leaf vein systems as leaves grow and evolve. The research, has a range of fundamental implications for global ecology and allows researchers to estimate original leaf sizes from just a fragment of a leaf. W improve scientists’ prediction and interpretation of climate in the deep past from leaf fossils.

On May 4, 2012, Paul Terasaki was presented with the Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year award for his vital contributions to the field of organ transplantation, and for his immensely generous contributions to UCLA, in particular to the Division of Life Sciences.

UCLA Biochemistry professor Sabeeha Merchant, a valued contributor to UCLA Life Sciences’ plant research program was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of her “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.”

James A. Lake, Distinguished professor of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology and Human Genetics, and Larry Simpson, Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics are among 220 distinguished scholars, scientists, authors, artists, and business and philanthropic leaders elected today to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.