Local professor appointed to Scientific Guidance Panel

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Dr. Dwight Culver, of Newport Beach, to the state Scientific Guidance Panel, it was announced Friday. Culver, 86, is a clinical professor of epidemiology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.

Previously, Culver headed the Systemed Corp., served as medical director for Aerojet General Corp.’s Azusa facility and was a physician for the state health department. The panel’s goal is to help legislators develop health policies based on scientific data. Culver’s position does not carry a salary and does not need to be confirmed by the state Senate.

— Alicia Robinson