University News

Plants Walk a Fine Line Between Growth and Defense

Andy Fell — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:23:01 PDT

Salicylic acid, the active molecule in aspirin and some acne medications, is a hormone in plants that is essential for immunity, but it’s a double-edged sword: Too much can cause autoimmunity and stunt growth. In a new study published April 20 in Nature Communications, University of California, Davis, researchers discovered that plants use a surprising multi-layered system to regulate salicylic acid levels and keep their immune system in check.

Teaching Students AI Literacy

Jocelyn C Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:35:51 PDT

Professionals and students alike are contending with a rapidly shifting work environment brought on by the rise of artificial intelligence, or AI. In our modern, technological world, AI literacy is no longer an option; it’s foundational.

Non-Rotating Early Galaxy Is a Surprise to Astronomers

Andy Fell — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:06:55 PDT

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have made a surprising discovery about a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away: It isn’t rotating.

CHANCELL-ING: Growing Our Agricultural Partnerships

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:25:12 PDT

Finding better ways to feed a growing planet has been a core part of 51�ԹϺ�� Davis for more than a century. What began as the University Farm is now a global powerhouse in agricultural science and forestry, home to programs ranked first in the nation and second worldwide. This legacy continues today through the groundbreaking partnerships and innovation taking place here in Yolo County.

YoloBerry Yogurt Opens in Silo

Cody Kitaura — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:30:00 PDT

YoloBerry Yogurt is now open in the Silo, serving frozen yogurt, açaí bowls, smoothies and more in the corner location previously occupied by Crêpe Bistro.

The new eatery is operated by Lee Pflugrath and his wife, Laura Winton. Pflugrath and a business partner opened the original YoloBerry, on C Street across from Central Park, in 2008; that location is now operated by Pflugrath and Winton. They also own Açaí Fresh on G Street in Davis.

Climate Change Increases Spillover Risk of Rodent-Borne Arenaviruses

Katherine E Kerlin — Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 PDT

Climate change is likely to drive rodent-borne arenaviruses into parts of South America that have never faced these diseases, putting new communities of people at risk, finds a study from the University of California, Davis.

For the study, published in the journal npj Viruses, scientists incorporated climate projections, shifting rodent populations and the risks of human infection into a model to offer an early risk projection for arenaviruses and other diseases in the next 20 to 40 years.

National Academy of Sciences Elects 51�ԹϺ�� 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 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 51�ԹϺ�� 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.

51�ԹϺ�� 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 51�ԹϺ�� 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, 51�ԹϺ�� 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 51�ԹϺ�� 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 51�ԹϺ�� 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 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Receives $75M Historic Gift in Support of Veterinary Medicine

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

The 51�ԹϺ�� 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 51�ԹϺ�� 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 Parents

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 parents can enjoy a family-friendly environment.