February 4, 2026

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SVM IN THE NEWS

UC Davis Receives $120M Gift, Largest Ever to Veterinary Medicine

The transformative commitment from the Weill Family Foundation, led by Joan and Sanford I. Weill, will modernize facilities and advance animal and human health. In recognition, the university has renamed the school the University of California, Davis Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.

Sacramento Business Journal

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Q&A on Leptospirosis: Urban Risk, Missed Vaccines, and Diagnostic Mistakes

Discussion of how urban environment, social conditions, and vaccination gaps have been reshaping how and where veterinarians encounter leptospirosis.

Jane Sykes

DVM360

February Crowdfund UC Davis Features Record Number of Projects

This February, Crowdfund UC Davis will feature more than 50 dynamic team projects, all ready to make a real impact on our campus and beyond.

AVC

UC Davis News

FieldHaven and the $13,000 Kitten

The extraordinary survival story of Orage, a tiny black kitten who has overcome overwhelming odds thanks to emergency veterinary intervention, specialized surgery, and an outpouring of compassion.

SVM

KFBK

Veterinary Professionals Turn Everyday Care into Community Impact Through Volunteer Work

From everyday clinical decisions to organized outreach, veterinary teams are expanding their impact beyond the clinic through veterinary volunteer opportunities.

AVC, Eric Davis

AAHA Trends

A UC Davis Veterinary Specialist Breaks Down Key Updates from the 2023 ACVIM Leptospirosis Consensus Statement

The 2023 ACVIM leptospirosis consensus marks a turning point in canine care, shifting vaccination to a universal core protocol while updating diagnostic standards and shortening handling precautions.

Jane Sykes

DVM360

Additional School Headlines

OTHER NEWS

Call for 2026 STAR Program Applications

Deadline: February 13

Applications are now being accepted from first- and second-year veterinary students to apply for participation in the STAR (Students Training in Advanced Research) Program. Successful applicants will be awarded an $8,000 stipend fellowship to conduct veterinary and/or biomedical research during summer of 2026 (June 1–August 7). Questions can be directed to SVM Star Programs.

Three Crowdfunding Projects. Limitless Impact.

Campaign ends: February 28

The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine is participating in a campus-wide crowdfunding campaign featuring three projects that expand access to care, strengthen globally engaged learning, and support field experience worldwide. Explore the projects and support the one that resonates most with you:

If you’re unable to give, you can still show your support by sharing the campaign with friends and colleagues.

Peer Observation and Coaching of Teaching (POCT) – Summer 2026

Deadline: April 1

Use the POCT Registration Form to register a request for peer observation of teaching during the Summer term (June and July). The form requires the time, date, location, session title, etc. of at least 3 instructional sessions in which you would like to be observed (2 will be selected by the POCT Committee). Contact Karen Boudreaux with questions about registration. Additional information about the POCT process can be found on VIPER.

PUBLICATIONS

CAHFS Connection

The February 2026 issue of CAHFS Connection describes cases of intestinal coccidiosis and Marek’s Disease in a rooster, bluetongue virus in an American bison, feline parvovirus in a raccoon, and more. CAHFS will be closed for the President’s Day holiday.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Inclusive Excellence Website

The SVM Community Council website is dedicated to fostering inclusion across our veterinary school community. The site features a multilingual database where you can add your profile, information about culturally relevant programming and engagement opportunities, and a listing of upcoming events.

From Labs to Lives: Research Funding Solves Real-World Problems

The From Labs to Lives project highlights how UC Davis’ interdisciplinary research plays a vital role in building the region’s economy. The series highlights federally funded research, describes how the research benefits the public, and shares the consequences to the public if funding is reduced or eliminated.

Stand Up for UC Campaign

In the face of federal threats facing the University of California, UC Office of the President has launched the Stand Up for UC campaign, which encourages people to pledge their support for UC and publicly share their stories about how UC has positively affected their lives. A secondary campaign also launched by UCOP is Speak Up for Science, which focuses on rebuilding federal support for U.S. research and innovation and sustaining long-term investments in the federal science agencies that fund more than half of all UC research.

UC’s Federal Policies Website

The UC Office of the President has launched a website about the system’s approach to changing federal policies and how they will affect university programs and operations related to research, immigration and much more. Additional resources include:

Q&A Summary of the Office of Research webinar on federal research funding (UC Davis login required)
Understanding Indirect Costs and Addressing Common Myths
Take Action: Email Your Lawmakers to Protect Life-Saving Research
Article to share: UC Davis Scientific Breakthroughs and Innovations Made Possible by Federal Funding in Jeopardy

AWARDS

Call for Nominations: 2026 Alumni Awards

Deadline: February 15

Alumni are honored each year for their outstanding personal and professional contributions to the field of veterinary science or one of its branches. If you know a deserving fellow alumnus, nominate them for an award to recognize their achievements and accomplishments.

EVENTS

Veterinary Genetics Laboratory Webinar Series

February 11 and April 29; 6–7 p.m. PT

From parentage testing to animal forensics, this webinar series is a free educational opportunity for anyone interested in animal genetics.