Tabatha Yang Honored with Chancellor's Award

Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum of Entomology, is being honored with an inaugural Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award "in recognition of her exceptional initiative to create a significant positive impact on the UC Davis community over the past 18 months."

Yang is one of 12 outstanding staff--from the campus, at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, or at UC Davis Health in Sacramento--singled out for a Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award for Exceptional University Management and Exceptional University Impact. 

Accompanied by her longtime supervisor, UC Davis distinguished professor emerita Lynn Kimsey, Yang will receive the award at an April 29th reception in the chancellor's residence.

"The selected recipients have truly distinguished themselves by surpassing expectations in advancing the university’s mission through their work supporting our students, employees, patients and community,” Chancellor May said in a UC Davis news release. “It’s my pleasure to recognize each of them with this highest staff honor at UC Davis.” 

Nominators submitted a total of 179 packets; some individuals received multiple nominations.

The news release included this statement from Sandy Batchelor, Human Resources WorkLife manager and awards committee chair: “Each nomination thoughtfully conveyed incredible stories about staff contributions that are making UC Davis and UC Davis Health an even better place to work, learn and receive care. While every nominee is deserving of recognition for how they’re advancing the university’s mission, those we selected are setting the bar for impactful service across UC Davis and UC Davis Health.”

Yang, nominated by Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist for the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT) and a member of the ENT Awards Committee, "embodies the spirit of engagement, innovation, and inclusivity that defines the university. With 15 years of dedicated service at the Bohart Museum, Tabatha spearheads a variety of educational initiatives aimed at demystifying and highlighting insects, spiders, science, and higher education." 

"Through open houses, classroom visits, fairs, festivals, and other outreach programs, she helps the museum connect with more than 10,000 people each year. Under her leadership, museum walk-ins, tours and tabling events provide opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage in science communication, highlight research and connect with others."

Yang annually chairs the committee that hosts UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day, a “Super Science Day”  that showcases 10 to 12 museums or collections and highlights UC Davis’ research, collections and biodiversity, drawing thousands to campus. 

She is also the founder and director of Bio Boot Camps, an immersive experience that ignites passion and curiosity in teenagers from around the globe. These camps, held annually since 2011, except during COVID, offer a gateway to the wonders of ecology, scientific exploration, and campus life. Campers tour UC Davis and its museums and collections and embark on scientific explorations of the UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, Quail Ridge Field Station, Bodega Marine Laboratory and Bodega Marine Reserve and UC Berkeley’s Sagehen Creek Field Station. With needs-based scholarships, Tabatha ensures inclusivity, making dreams a reality for aspiring young scientists.

Wrote Garvey: “Tabatha exemplifies the face, the voice, and the ‘I-care-you-matter’ rallying cry of UC Davis. She is a powerful positive influence, not only in performance and engagement, but also in efficiency, integrity, kindness, and collaboration.” 

Yang said the recognition is really a team effort. "It is a huge honor, as there are so many staff on this campus who are equally dedicated to doing good work on behalf of the University and the people of California," Yang said in the news release. "I am constantly motivated by the talented students, dedicated staff, and passionate faculty and associates that I get to work with on a daily basis. Everything really is a team effort.” 

Yang earlier received a UC Davis Staff Assembly's Citation for Excellence (2017) for outstanding service.  The nominees praised her exemplary service, high morale, encouragement, passion and inclusion.  (See news blog)

Excerpts from the news release: 

• "In her role at the Bohart Museum, Tabatha has collaborated with Campus Recreation Youth Programs, the University of California Natural Reserve System, the Internship and Career Center, the Entomology Graduate Student Association and the Entomology Club, and works regularly with Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP), Continuing and Professional Education, the MIND Institute, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)."
• "In collaboration with diverse organizations and departments, Tabatha amplifies UC Davis's impact, making it a hub for scientific discovery and education. Her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication inspire colleagues and participants alike, leaving an undeniable mark on the university and the broader community."

Tabatha, a Cornell University alumna, shares her science educational background with her husband, community ecologist and professor Louie Yang,  a Cornell alumnus who received his doctorate from UC Davis. He joined the UC Davis entomology faculty in 2009.

The list of recipients of the inaugural award:

Exceptional University Management

• Nichole Mahaffey, clinical trials data team supervisor and assistant director of PRMS, Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Clinical Research
• Santana Diaz, executive chef, Food and Nutrition Services 
• Morgan Luthi, director of curriculum and educational technology, Office of Medical Education
• Wendy Lilliedoll, director of investigations, Office of Compliance and Policy
• Shannon Tanguay, budget director, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean’s Office
• Jason Herum, diving safety officer, Bodega Marine Laboratory

Exceptional University Impact:

• Kelly Yurosky, pediatric bone marrow transplant coordinator, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
• Abigail Borbe, senior clinical research coordinator, Pediatrics
• Leah Galasso, technical project manager, Clinical Informatics
• Bill Tuck, fiscal officer, Physics and Astronomy
• Elizabeth Sturdy, director of mentoring and Academic Success Initiatives, Graduate Studies
• Tabatha Yang, Bohart Museum education and outreach coordinator, Department of Entomology and Nematology

Professor Kimsey, who received both her bachelor's degree and doctorate in entomology from UC Davis, joined the entomology faculty in 1989. She retired in June after serving as director of the Bohart Museum since 1990. She continues her research and also as executive director of the Bohart Museum Society and editor of the newsletter. Professor Jason Bond succeeded Kimsey on Feb. 1 as the Bohart Museum director. He is the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, and the associate dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He also serves as president-elect of the American Arachnological Society.

Plans are now underway for the second annual Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Awards for Exceptional University Management and Exceptional University Impact.