As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of UC Davis’ value and its profound impact on the lives of those in California and beyond. Our commitment to research, teaching and public service continues to drive meaningful progress and opportunities for students to become the next generation of leaders, scientists, engineers, artists and veterinarians.
Our groundbreaking research and innovative culture foster a vibrant learning environment where students and faculty thrive. From the opening of Aggie Square — an innovation district on the Sacramento campus — to AI advancements in healthcare, UC Davis’ ecosystem is a model for the future of education that delivers real-world solutions benefitting all communities near and far.
Despite the uncertainties and challenges facing higher education, our campus community has shown remarkable strength and unity. This year, we launched the From Labs to Lives campaign to champion the impact of federal research funding, translating complex science into compelling human stories that demonstrate our life-changing breakthroughs to legislators and the communities we serve.
More than ever, we are shaping a brighter future for our students, our community and the world. Get involved and support higher education and UC Davis in the year ahead.
Excellence Through Education
History of a Little-Known Black Community
UC Davis students, under the leadership of associate professor of history Cecilia Tsu, revealed details about a little-known chapter of Black history in Woodland. The undergraduate and graduate students eventually collected enough material to develop elementary school lesson plans and a digital presentation as well as create a display now on view at the Woodland Opera House State Historic Park.
This Snail’s Eyes Grow Back
A humble snail could hold the key to humans being able to cure blindness by regrowing lost or damaged eyes. Apple snail and human eyes share many features but unlike humans, the apple snail can completely regenerate its eyes. UC Davis assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology Alice Accorsi is studying how, someday, humans might be able to do the same.
New Cancer Drug Could Help Cats and People
Scientists from UC Davis and UC San Francisco have collaborated on a new drug that has shown promise in combating cancer in cats. While a worthy goal on its own, developing the drug could lead to new treatments for humans afflicted with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Researchers are working with a small biotech company to advance the new compound in clinical trials.
