Academic Life Content

How one UC Davis student turns a question about animal physiology into innovative immune research

Isabella E Beristain — April 20, 2026 - 3:09pm

Mikaila Hishaw, a fourth-year marine and coastal science major from Tucson, Arizona, arrived at UC Davis with plans to become a veterinarian. She soon discovered that research offered not just a new way to work with animals but also an avenue to explore her curiosity beyond the classroom.

How one UC Davis student imagined systems to accelerate lab breakthroughs

Isabella E Beristain — April 14, 2026 - 10:02am

Iliya Voytsyshyn, a fourth-year systems and synthetic biology major from Ukraine, entered UC Davis with plans to study cancer. That initial goal grew into a fascination with tools that fuse biology, systems design and gene editing to reengineer cells.

How one UC Davis student builds a foundation for academic leadership through regenerative biology

Isabella E Beristain — April 06, 2026 - 11:37am

Fourth-year biological sciences major and Barry Goldwater Scholar recipient Azucena Virgen studies the regenerative biology of Hydra — a freshwater organism known for its ability to regrow entire body parts — at the UC Davis Juliano Lab. What began as a fascination in a high school biology class in her hometown of Woodland, California, grew into a long-term goal to lead a research lab and mentor future scientists.

How one UC Davis student connects science to patient care

Isabella E Beristain — March 23, 2026 - 11:23am

UC Davis fourth-year neurobiology, physiology and behavior major Rogelio Castillo did not expect undergraduate research to open a path for him to create change in his community. His family’s past experiences with rushed and impersonal medical care led him to turn to science to ask the questions that improve both health outcomes and quality of patient-provider relationships.

Master time management for success

Isabella E Beristain — October 31, 2024 - 8:39am

Time management is key for a successful college application. Track extracurricular activities, create a checklist of admission requirements and start early.

Finding Undergraduate Research Internships

Josh Staab — June 01, 2021 - 9:00am

I leafed through the yellowed pages of poetry with care, tracing each handwritten word with my finger and trying my hardest not to rip the 60-year old manuscript. In the silence of the Huntington Library archives — scholars and historians surrounding me — a single question kept echoing in the back of my head: "How did I get here?"

Navigating a Remote Internship

Josh Staab — April 14, 2021 - 6:00am

As the world begins to transition to more remote working environments, it can be challenging to find a work-life balance. If you're a student new to the professional world, you're bound to have plenty of questions and very little experience.

Best Places to Study at UC Davis

Josh Staab — March 19, 2021 - 9:00am

Now that I’m nearing the end of my third year at UC Davis, I’ve discovered what I believe are some of the best places to study on campus. Whether it’s for a few minutes between classes or for the long haul, or a spot that’s extra quiet or one with a bit of background noise, UC Davis has much to offer, so it's no wonder it has so many great places to study.

Art vs. STEM: Why Choose Just One?

Josh Staab — March 19, 2021 - 9:00am

STEM and the arts are often placed against each other as if they were competing teams. Entering college, one might ask which one of these disciplines will help them land a more lucrative career or fulfilling life. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there is no one path to success in life and there is something special about each.

How UC Davis Prepares You for the Working World

Josh Staab — March 19, 2021 - 9:00am

It can be scary to think about transitioning from college to the professional world. From searching for the right job to preparing for interviews to getting ready for your first day — the process can seem like a lot.