University News

National Academy of Sciences Elects UC Davis Maize Geneticist Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra

Andy Fell — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:45:02 PDT

The National Academy of Sciences has elected Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology at University of California, Davis, as a member. His election was announced April 28.

Ross-Ibarra is one of 120 members and 25 international members elected this year in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership in the academy is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

Identifying Genetic Causes of Blindness in People and Macaques

Andy Fell — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:25:30 PDT

An inherited form of blindness directly comparable to a common inherited optic nerve disease in humans has been discovered in rhesus macaques at the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The work, published April 15 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could lead to a better understanding of autosomal dominant optic atrophy, or ADOA, and potentially to new treatments.

Fish Evolution Accelerated After Adapting to Eat off Hard Surfaces

Andy Fell — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:47:56 PDT

Why are there so many of species of coral reef fish? According to a new study, it’s because about 50 million years ago, some fish figured out how to bite food from hard surfaces.

Evolution doesn’t proceed at an even pace: Species evolve in jumps and spurts, followed by lulls. These periods of rapid diversification usually occur after a dramatic environmental change or upheaval, or when a lineage develops a new “innovation” that allows them to use a previously inaccessible resource. For fish, the ability to feed from a hard surface was one such innovation.

From Classroom to Lab: Mentorship and Discovery in Regenerative Biology

Anila Mary Lijo — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:57:04 PDT

Scientific breakthroughs don’t happen in isolation. They are built through mentorship, curiosity and hands-on discovery. In this month’s episode of Face to Face With Chancellor May, undergraduate researcher Azucena “Zucy” Virgen and Celina Juliano, an associate professor of cellular and molecular biology, share how their collaboration is advancing regenerative biology while shaping the next generation of scientists.

The Aggies Making UC Davis ‘A Leader in Inclusion’

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:30:00 PDT

Chancellor Gary S. May this month honored several faculty, staff and students who live out the Principles of Community by naming them recipients of the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence.

At a reception at his residence on April 8, May said the Principles of Community reminds all members of our campus community of the importance of mutual understanding and respect for all, despite different identities, ideas, opinions, perceptions and more.

UC STEM Fest to Inspire Kids with Science and Engineering

Andy Fell — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:19:05 PDT

Hundreds of local schoolchildren will get hands-on exposure to science, technology, engineering and math at the 2026 UC STEM Fest, to be held Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at Rex & Margaret Fortune Early College High School in Elk Grove.

Stop-and-Go Science: Researchers Pivot to Try to Salvage Important Work

Jocelyn C Anderson — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:13 PDT

When climate change is faster than the speed of science and unstable funding threatens discovery, UC Davis scientists pivot to try to save important research.

Give Day Hits 10-Year Milestone with Strong Support

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 PDT

Marking its 10th anniversary over Picnic Day weekend, the UC Davis community rallied for Give Day 2026 to celebrate a decade of impact. With nearly 4,500 donations made both online and in person, this year’s event raised almost $3.9 million. Since its launch in 2017, Give Day has raised more than $32 million from over 56,000 donors.

For a fourth consecutive year, Development and Alumni Relations employees, with Gunrock alongside them, traveled across campus in cow-themed golf carts dubbed “Fund-Grazers,” generating buzz for the event.

Commencement Ambassadors Wanted for Ceremonies June 12-14

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 PDT

Registration is now open for staff members to serve as Spring Commencement Ambassadors at undergraduate ceremonies June 12-14 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Transforming Animal Care, Advancing Human Health

Cody Kitaura — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:15:00 PDT

Chancellor Gary S. May issued the following letter today (April 24):

To the UC Davis Community:

Late yesterday we celebrated another historic gift: $75 million from Kathy Chiao and Kenneth Hao — the second largest individual gift ever made to the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.

UC Davis Receives $75M Historic Gift in Support of Veterinary Medicine

Amy M Quinton — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:00 PDT

The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine has received $75 million from Bay Area residents Kathy Chiao and Kenneth Hao.

Wildfire-Driven Deforestation Rates in California Among Highest in World

Katherine E Kerlin — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 PDT

California has one of the highest rates of wildfire-driven deforestation in the world, and the trend has accelerated over the past three decades, according to a UC Davis study.

Yolo County Basic Income Program Provided Reprieve from Poverty but Not Financial Independence

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:33:22 PDT

A basic income program in Yolo County — one of the first such programs nationwide — lifted unhoused families above the California poverty line for two years. Families could, for a while, spend less time worrying about money and more time being a family, according to new University of California, Davis, research.

The program provided a monthly stipend to 76 mostly single-parent families between 2022 and 2024, helping them gain housing, food and general wellbeing for two years.

New Campus Resource for Student è��

Kat Arthur — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 PDT

One of the newest resources on campus is The Student Parent Space in the University House and Annex, an area where student è�� can enjoy a family-friendly environment.

Picnic Day Showcases Expertise, Community

Cody Kitaura — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 PDT

UC Davis flung open its doors to thousands of Picnic Day attendees Saturday (April 18), showcasing groundbreaking research, eye-catching art, a welcoming community and more.

“Picnic Day is always one of my favorite days on campus,” Chancellor Gary S. May said at the start of the parade. “It’s a time to see the bonds within our Aggie community, between current students and alumni from many years ago. We showcase the expertise from our world-class faculty and have a lot of fun along the way.”

Among the Academies: The World’s Historical Lessons

Jose Antonio Vadi — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:03:33 PDT

Historian Andrés Reséndez’s career is, appropriately, an exercise in moving backwards through time.

Campus To Test WarnMe April 29

Julia Ann Easley — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:25:01 PDT

UC Davis will test its emergency notification system April 29. Students and employees should verify and update their contact information on the WarnMe website.

Statement: UC Davis Mourns Student Lincoln Wells Sabini

Julia Ann Easley — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:22:49 PDT

We are deeply saddened to share that Lincoln Wells Sabini was the UC Davis student who died following a collision between a car and a bicycle on Hutchison Drive, near the West Village housing area on April 13.

Checking In With Chancellor May: A Place to Belong and Prosper

Cody Kitaura — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:00 PDT