University News

3 Rankings Recognize UC Davis for Research, Social Mobility, Value

Julia Ann Easley — August 29, 2025

The University of California, Davis, has received accolades for its research, the value for the dollar and the social mobility it offers graduates in three separate rankings published this month.

Forbes named UC Davis to its Top 25 Public Colleges in the nation in rankings released Tuesday (Aug. 26). The magazine noted that UC Davis students graduate with a median of $11,000 in debt — the lowest among the public standouts.

Total-Body PET Imaging Takes a Look at Long COVID

Andy Fell — August 28, 2025

Using total-body PET imaging to get a better understanding of long COVID disease is the goal of a new project at the University of California, Davis, in collaboration with UC San Francisco. The project is funded by a grant of $3.2 million over four years from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

New Cancer Drug Could Help Cats and People

Amy M Quinton — August 28, 2025

A new cancer treatment for cats could help humans too. New UC Davis cat clinical trial using UCSF developed drug shows the disease was controlled in 35% of cats, with minimal side effects.

Maternal Exposure to Crude Oil, Flame Retardants Can Affect Later Generations

Katherine E Kerlin — August 27, 2025

A tiny fish with transparent embryos is helping University of California, Davis, researchers shed light on how exposure to crude oil and flame retardants can affect behavior, skeletal growth, cardiac health and other internal functions in offspring and subsequent generations.

The research on multiple generations of Atlantic killifish (mummichogs) was published across three papers in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Chromium-6, Nanosilver Detected in LA Fire Cleanup Zones

Katherine E Kerlin — August 27, 2025

Air quality scientists have detected elevated levels of hexavalent chromium and silver in air samples collected from the debris cleanup zones for the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, which occurred January 2025 in Los Angeles County.

Wheat That Makes Its Own Fertilizer

Amy M Quinton — August 27, 2025

UC Davis scientists have developed wheat plants that produce their own fertilizer, opening the door for less air and water pollution and lower costs for farmers.

UC Davis Alumni Discuss Splash Tech

Anila Mary Lijo — August 26, 2025

This month’s Face to Face With Chancellor May features Splash Tech, a forward-thinking startup tackling one of the most overlooked problems in home maintenance: swimming pool chemical management.

Rain Sun and Sam Louderback of Splash Tech said their company is seeking to build a smart, sustainable technology that helps pool owners measure and manage chemicals with accuracy. Their goal is to save time, money and the environment.

Among the Academies: Studying How Plants Adapt

Cody Kitaura — August 26, 2025

How can plants adapt to their environment, and how will they be able to adapt to climate change? Those are among the biggest questions Johanna Schmitt has sought to answer during her career as a plant geneticist and evolutionary ecologist.

Firefighters Assist With Pickett Fire Efforts

Cody Kitaura — August 26, 2025

A team from the UC Davis Fire Department is helping with the efforts to fight the Pickett Fire in Napa County.

Four staffers — a captain, an engineer and two firefighters — left campus Sunday morning (Aug. 24) in Brush Truck 34, along with another captain serving as strike team leader trainee on a team comprising personnel from Davis, Winters, Yocha Dehe and Amador County fire departments.

ORG CHART: Associate Dean, Center Directors, More

Cody Kitaura — August 26, 2025

Several centers around UC Davis have announced new directors, and the Graduate School of Management has a new associate dean and new endowed chairs. Read on to find out more.

UC Davis Students Uncover History of a Little-Known Black Community in Woodland

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 25, 2025

Sam Garcia was in her final year at University of California, Davis, when, like many students in their college years, she had not yet identified a clear future path.

Then, through a UC Davis history project, the sociology major discovered historical archives.

Welcome 2025-26 With A New Poster Calendar

Cody Kitaura — August 22, 2025

As a new academic year springs into bloom, a fresh UC Davis poster calendar is available now to help you track important dates.

This year’s calendar, adorned with an image of sunlight peeking through a batch of California poppies in the Arboretum, can be purchased from UC Davis Stores for $4.49.

WarnMe Message Sent in Error

Andy Fell — August 21, 2025

A campus WarnMe message sent today (Aug. 21) as part of an active shooter exercise was inadvertently sent to some recipients without being labeled as a drill.

UC Davis promptly sent a follow up Aggie Alert to all employees and students correcting the error. We apologize for any distress caused and we are reviewing how this came about.

UC Davis Expert Media Sources on Federal Issues

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 20, 2025

The University of California, Davis, has political scientists, historians, economists, law professors, K-12 policy experts and other researchers who can help media navigate the current political scene. We also can help media contact researchers who can describe how their research benefits the public, and share potential consequences if funding is reduced or eliminated.

This expert guide was initially published in March 2025 and was updated in August. Note: This is for reporters' use, not for publication.

California Jews Experiencing Heightened Depression, Anxiety Since 2023 Hamas Violence

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 18, 2025

California Jews are reporting significantly greater symptoms of depression and anxiety since the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians in October 2023, according to a University of California, Davis, study.

UC Davis Study Reveals Alarming Browser Tracking by GenAI Assistants

Andy Fell — August 18, 2025

A new study led by computer scientists at the University of California, Davis, reveals that generative AI browser assistants collect and share sensitive data without users’ knowledge. Stronger safeguards, transparency and awareness are needed to protect user privacy online, the researchers said.

A new brand of generative AI, or GenAI, browser extensions act as your personal assistant as you surf the web, making browsing easier and more personalized. They can summarize web pages, answer questions, translate text and take notes.

5 Ways UC Davis Says AI Is Surprisingly Good

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

The capabilities of artificial intelligence are expanding every day. UC Davis is harnessing AI in many beneficial ways. Here, researchers in veterinary medicine, health, climate science, engineering and education ask how AI can help in their fields — and discover the good side of the growing technology.

Alum Joe Sasto Is a Rebel in the Kitchen

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

Alum Joe Sasto releases his first cookbook in October. (Courtesy of Bre Furlong)

Joe Sasto ’10 knows food.

Statewide Study Taps 3,000 Students for Salmon Research

Russell L Thebaud — August 18, 2025

In addition to predators, river diversions, and reduced spawning grounds, California salmon now face a new challenge: Thiamine Deficiency Complex, or TDC, a nutritional deficiency that leads to neurological problems and early death. Thankfully, more than 3,000 high school students offer a way forward in tackling this urgent issue.

Celebrating 100 Years of Graduate Education in Davis

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 18, 2025

On a crisp fall morning in 1925, a dozen graduate students in white button-down shirts with their slacks cuffed over worn brogans arrived at the University Farm in Davis. They were united by a shared ambition: to pursue advanced studies in agriculture at what was then the research extension of UC Berkeley.

It was a quiet beginning for graduate education in Davis — seeding what would grow into one of the top graduate education programs in the country.