Cal State Chemist Will Direct Cell Research on Federal Grant

Dr. Susan A. Moore, a Cal State Fullerton chemist, will direct a research project on yeast cell division with a $120,000 National Science Foundation grant recently awarded to the university’s chemistry department. The grant will be used to study cell behavior and to learn more about cell division. Moore, an associate professor of chemistry with a Ph.D. from Brandeis University, joined the faculty last year.

Lee Podolak, president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, was named citizen of the year by the National Assn. of Social Workers. NASW is composed of 96,000 professionally trained social workers.

Dave Licata, a science teacher at Fountain Valley High School, won the National Science Teachers Assn. Gustav Ohaus Award. The award is presented for innovations in secondary science teaching. Licata will receive $500 and a medallion for his ideas on “Learning to Think in Chemistry Through Writing,” a program that uses structured essays to help students learn chemistry.

Dr. Ralph Rucker, center director at Childrens Hospital of Orange County, and his staff, the Cystic Fibrosis Medical Care Team, were presented the Medical Humanitarian Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Greater Los Angeles-Orange County chapters. The award was given for the group’s efforts and foresight that led to longer lives for cystic fibrosis patients.

Planned Parenthood of Orange County has named Sergio S. Morera director of education. Morera joined the staff in 1982 and has served as program director for the agency’s Latino parenting program. A native of Costa Rica, Morera came to the United States in 1978 and earned a bachelor’s degree at Southern California College in Costa Mesa.