Cover image for the June 2025 issue of The DNA - the CBS Deans' News & Announcements - featuring Deans Mark Winey and Michele Igo in academic regalia congratulating an award recipient.

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And that's a wrap on 24-25!

Hello CBS,

As the academic year winds to a close, we take this moment to acknowledge and celebrate all that our CBS students have accomplished in 2024–2025. Your drive, resilience, and curiosity have fueled a year of impressive academic achievement, cutting-edge research, and vibrant engagement across the college.

Winding down spring quarter brought us together as a community for departmental celebrations and the CBS Honors & Awards Ceremony, where we recognized and celebrated the outstanding achievements of our #CBSAggies. It was a joy to see almost 200 students honored for their excellence in the classroom, the lab, and beyond.

And now, in just 40 short hours, we’ll kick off the first of five UC Davis commencement ceremonies—a milestone moment for our graduating seniors. Whether you’re walking the stage or cheering on your peers, we hope you feel immense pride in being part of this extraordinary community.

Congratulations on a year well-lived. Enjoy the summer, and for those continuing with us over the summer or in the fall—we will see you soon!

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Your CBS Undergraduate Deans,

Mark Winey, Michele Igo, Helen Frasier, and Ebony McClain

The new graduates are showered with streamers and confetti at the end of the commencement ceremony, as seen from above, on June 15, 2024.

Spring Commencement ceremonies kick off Friday morning!

Commencement Ceremonies

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

Friday, June 13, 2025 – 9:00 am & 2:00 pm

Saturday, June 14, 2025 – 9:00 am & 2:00 pm

Sunday, June 15, 2025 – 9:00 am

We're proud of you, #CBSAggies!

>> Ceremony details HERE

Image of a blue "Emergency" safety pole with a cyclist to the right on the UC Davis campus.

Wrapping up this year's

BioLaunch Mentor Collective

It's simultaneously hard to believe and exciting that for more than 1,200 of our #CBSAggies, your first year and your time as a mentee with the BioLaunch Mentor Collective is coming to a close. We invite you and the 350+ students who served as mentors to take the end-of-program survey! Your input, whether you are a mentee or mentor, helps us plan for next year!

>> Take the survey HERE

Talent, Curiosity and Dedication: Year-End CBS Awards Honor Top Undergraduates

This year’s top graduating seniors were recognized at the CBS award ceremony on Saturday, May 31. Here, the recipients are pictured with CBS Dean Mark Winey. From the left, the recipients are: Nicole Burye, Avantika Gokulnatha, Sydney Becker, Shih-Na Liu and Kush Narang. Photo by Katrina Huynh

Supported by philanthropy, CBS awards recognize student leadership, community service, and research excellence. This year’s honorees, formally recognized on Saturday, May 31, embody the talent, curiosity, and dedication that make the College of Biological Sciences—and UC Davis—a remarkable place to learn and grow.

>> Read more HERE

Image of four caricatures of students promoting the Board Application for TransferACE in the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis.

Deadline Extended! TransferACE Accepting Board Applications!

Are you a CBS Transfer Student? Be part of a dedicated team that builds community and empowers transfer students in CBS to thrive at UC Davis! Our college club is now accepting Board Applications for: Co-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Event Planning, and Marketing/Outreach positions. We'd love your help to support #CBSTransferAggies in 25-26!

>> Apply HERE

CBS students Cynthia, Serena, Ethan, and Nico enjoying snacks outside of the Dean's Office in Green Hall while studying for spring quarter finals.

SNACK ATTACK!

Spring quarter finals—whether it's your first or last spring quarter—wrap up tomorrow, June 12, and the CBS Dean's Office wants to make sure you are fueled and ready! Swing by our offices on the garden level of Green Hall for a study break, a study session, or a detour en route to the last of your final exams and grab a snack while they last!

Congrats on wrapping up this year!

>> Find Green Hall HERE

Words of Affirmation for NEW #CBSAggies!

Image of two UC Davis students smiling and flexing their arms in triumph for the camera.

As part of the 35th anniversary of the UC Davis Principles of Community, a new university-wide campaign is inviting graduating students to share encouragement and support with those just beginning their UC Davis journey.

The Words of Affirmation campaign asks graduates to reflect on their time at UC Davis and offer a short message to incoming students—something they wish they’d heard when they first arrived, or words that helped them feel seen, valued, or supported.

>> Graduating Seniors, add your Affirmations HERE

Graduates attend the commencement ceremony at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on June 14, 2024. Gunrock visits with graduates and their families.

Wellness Corner: Mental Health Tips for Graduating Students

You've graduated from high school, and for 1,399 of our #CBSAggies, you are about to be the graduating class of 2024-2025! Congrats! It is common to experience a mix of excitement and joy, as well as sadness about leaving behind the familiar, uncertainty about the future, pressure to succeed, and a lack of direction or purpose.

>> Learn more HERE

Image of dark blue clouds with the words "Options & Opportunities" in gold font.

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CBS Student Bulletin

Check back on 6/12/2025

CBS faculty and staff maintain strong connections. Throughout the year, we receive a plethora of internship and job postings you may not find on Handshake. Bookmark the CBS Bulletin page and check back regularly.

>> Take a look

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Career Center News

Want all of your options at your fingertips on a regular basis? Check out and subscribe to the Career Center's Health & Biological Sciences Newsletter for all of the upcoming events and tips on using Handshake!

>> Subscribe today

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Questions or comments?

You are a part of the CBS community, and the reason for The DNA! Send your questions, ideas and submissions for future issues to Assistant Dean Helen Frasier at: hsfrasier@ucdavis.edu.

The Deans' News and Announcements (The DNA) is a monthly electronic newsletter for undergraduate students in the College of Biological Sciences.

The DNA is published by the CBS Dean’s Office.