Well, we’ve come to the end of the year—and it feels sudden. That’s what happens on campus. Summer is hot, then fall arrives with the return of our students, and as soon as we’re done welcoming them, it’s midterms and then finals, which just concluded last week.

This week is quiet, cold and rainy here in Davis. Though it seems especially slow now, it never really is. In fact, you can see a video highlight of some of this year’s most notable research—including pieces from this month—and accomplishments here.

Earlier this month, undergraduate participants in the EVE Scholars Program presented the findings from their research­­—much of which was related to marine science! (Including invasive crabs, eel grass, and more.) This is the program’s second year, and it’s an outstanding opportunity for undergraduates across campus to engage with hands-on research.

Meanwhile, neurobiology, physiology and behavior major Emma Vazquez was keeping busy making a rap about food waste. After years in academia, I continue to be deeply proud of the creativity, ingenuity, and dedication of our students. And not just for me. Our amazing students are a source of great pride for all of us.

This is the time of the year when many of us make travel plans, or the opposite. Whether you are about to settle in for a staycation or planning for something farther afield, I thank you for your support of the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences.

To our generous donors, our many alumni, and our curious readers who follow the college's outstanding research, teaching, and mentorship, I thank you and wish you very happy holidays.

______________



Mark Winey, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Biological Sciences

Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology 

Featured image above: Researchers in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology study the tiny Caenorhabditis elegans worm to uncover genetic mechanisms of egg maturation and meiosis. Here, fluorescence microscopy shows yolk granules (purple) and chromosomes (red) during an egg cell’s division process.



The Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS) program promotes diversity and excellence in STEM fields as part of the UC Davis commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment.

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Anya Brown, Department of Evolution and Ecology, and Maria Maldonado, Department of Plant Biology, have received prestigious grants from the UC-wide program in support of their early-career research.

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Luca Comai, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plant Biology, studies how plants pass their genomes on to future generations. For his work, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2023.

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Researchers in the Department of Plant Biology suspect the smell of Christmas trees plays a role in deterring pests—and attracting consumers. They are working to uncover the optimal combination of scent molecules to deter pests while preserving the traditional fragrance.

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Rice feeds over half the world’s population, yet high-yield seeds remain out of reach for many farmers. Department of Plant Biology researchers have found a potential solution: activating two genes to trigger embryo formation in rice egg cells without fertilization.

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Researchers at the Center for Neuroscience are shedding light on the potential to harness psychedelics for anxiety treatment. Using innovative neural tagging in mice, they have discovered distinct brain circuits responsible for the calming effects.

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