Appellate Justice, Doctor Who Educates With Social Media To Speak at First UC Davis Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 05, 2026 - 1:02pm

An appellate justice and a doctor who uses social media to empower medical learners will be the first guest speakers for the 2026 graduation season at UC Davis.

Plants Walk a Fine Line Between Growth and Defense

Andy Fell — May 04, 2026 - 4:23pm

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.

Non-Rotating Early Galaxy Is a Surprise to Astronomers

Andy Fell — May 04, 2026 - 3:06pm

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 — May 04, 2026 - 2:25pm

Finding better ways to feed a growing planet has been a core part of UC 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.

Climate Change Increases Spillover Risk of Rodent-Borne Arenaviruses

Katherine E Kerlin — May 04, 2026 - 9:00am

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.

Fish Evolution Accelerated After Adapting to Eat off Hard Surfaces

Andy Fell — April 28, 2026 - 1:47pm

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.

The Aggies Making UC Davis ‘A Leader in Inclusion’

Cody Kitaura — April 27, 2026 - 3:30pm

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 — April 27, 2026 - 3:19pm

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 ��ý High School in Elk Grove.

Give Day Hits 10-Year Milestone with Strong Support

Cody Kitaura — April 27, 2026 - 9:00am

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.

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

Amy M Quinton — April 23, 2026 - 5:00pm

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

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