Reflect, Celebrate, Recharge | |
Hello, CBS Student,
December brings us to the end of the fall quarter, the first chapter of the academic year. The excitement—and relief—of finishing the term is heightened by the upcoming holidays. Congratulations are due to all students who joined UC Davis this fall and completed their first quarter as Aggies. This month also marks the fall commencement (more on that below), where several hundred CBS students will celebrate the completion of their degrees. We congratulate our graduates and look forward to all you will accomplish as the newest members of our #CBSAggie Alumni community!
This Saturday, December 13, our campus will host not only commencement but also the NCAA FCS quarterfinals, as the Aggies take on Illinois State. Aggie football has had an impressive season, and we hope to see them advance to the semifinals. For game information or tickets, visit the UC Davis Athletics website. Go Ags!
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We also want to acknowledge an upcoming transition in the dean’s office. Assistant Dean Helen Schurke Frasier will conclude her service to the College of Biological Sciences next week. We should all be deeply appreciative of her work to support students across CBS—from establishing this newsletter and mentoring student leaders, to partnering with faculty to advance academic programs like CUREs and career-readiness through experiential learning, to leading and strengthening transition programs like the BioLaunch Mentor Collective. Her commitment to student success has made a lasting impact on our community. Thank you, Assistant Dean Frasier!
As you head into winter break, we encourage you to take time to rest, reflect, and recharge. With much of the academic year still ahead, beginning January refreshed will help set you up for a strong and enjoyable winter and spring.
Enjoy the holidays, and all our best for the new year.
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Your CBS Undergraduate Deans,
Mark Winey, Michele Igo, Helen Frasier, and Ebony McClain
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It's in The DNA ...
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Congratulations, #CBSAggies!
To all of our new #CBSAggie Alums, the Fall Commencement ceremony is this Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the University Credit Union Center. Be sure to check out the "Plan Your Visit" page for logistics and details! CONGRATS!
REMEMBER: To officially graduate, you must file an online graduation application for the term in which you will graduate.
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CBS Awards Application Opens on December 15, 2025!
Are you graduating this academic year? Are you continuing next year and want funding to travel or conduct research this summer? Congrats! You may be in luck. CBS will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Graduating Senior awards, Summer Undergraduate Research awards, and Travel awards starting Monday, December 15, 2025. Mark your calendars and check out the NEW Awards Finder!
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Mentor Check-In: Fall Quarter Reflections
As finals wrap up and the quarter comes to a close, now’s the perfect time for a debrief with your BioLaunch mentor or mentee. Take a few minutes to reflect together on what went well this fall, what you’d like to adjust for winter, and how to make the most of campus resources and office hours. These post-quarter conversations strengthen your connection, celebrate progress, and set you both up for success—all while you wait for grades to be released on December 26.
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CBS Plant Biologists win VinFuture prize for self-cloning crops
| As the world’s climate warms and the human population increases, creating sustainable agricultural systems is an urgent priority. One way to immediately increase yield is to sow hybrid crops, the offspring of two genetically different varieties, which can produce up to 50% more grain than their parents. But when those hybrids reproduce, their offsprings’ yield is unpredictable, which means that farmers who want the sustained benefits of hybrids must purchase new seed each year. |
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Winter 2026 CUREs Course for NEW CBS Transfer Students
Are you a new CBS Transfer Student? The City Birds and the Scientific Process – A Hands-On Introduction to Animal Behavior and Urban Ecology Research CURE is open for Winter Quarter Registration! In this hands-on CURE, students will step into the role of a behavioral ecologist to explore how urban environments shape animal behavior and ecology. Check your email for registration details!
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Bio Bonds:
Networking + Cocoa = A Sweet Combo!
Cozy up on January 14, 2026, for a Student Alumni Networking Night! Bring a friend, sip some cocoa, and meet awesome UC Davis alumni ready to share tips on careers, internships, and life after college. Don’t miss your chance to build connections that could open doors! Open to all students: free for Student Alumni Association (SAA) members, $10 for non-members.
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Be a Biologist!
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What are YOU Researching?
With applications opening on December 15, 2025, take a moment for a refresh on the CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), which supports students who wish to stay on campus—and in the lab—over the summer term.
Normally, undergraduates leave campus for the summer if they are not enrolled in classes. SURP consists of several different donor-funded undergraduate research awards and allows students to continue their research projects over the summer.
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Explore Research with the Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic SURF Program has helped thousands of undergraduate students explore their interests in research. As a summer fellow, you will be immersed in research opportunities. You will gain valuable experience in the lab and work closely with your mentor on a research project designed specifically for summer students. The SURF program provides opportunities for current students interested in expanding their research experience in a variety of specialized research areas.
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What are OTHERS Researching?
Ecological medicine is a new approach to health science that draws on a very old idea: connecting with each other, with animals and plants, and with the natural world fosters health and well-being for people and the planet. CBS associate professor Rebecca Calisi Rodríguez is a coauthor on an article in the journal Ecohealth defining the field of ecological medicine. Their work emphasizes how humans, wild and domestic animals and the environment influence health and disease, especially infectious diseases.
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Now Recruiting!
Seeking Pre-Health Conference Leaders
Are you looking for a CBS leadership opportunity? Join the Pre-Health Conference Leadership Team and help shape an unforgettable experience for future healthcare professionals. Build your leadership skills while collaborating with peers and professionals who are passionate about pre-health. Applications close Sunday, December 21st.
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Wellness Corner: COLD for Mental Health?
Can COLD help improve your mental health? Many of us prefer warm and cozy (or a spoon with a pint of sorbet or ice cream), but cold exposure--like a cold shower, ice bath, or polar swim--can offer a mood boost through endorphins. The shock of cold can trigger “feel-good” chemicals in your body, which might explain the lift some people feel afterward. Cold exposure may stimulate your vagus nerve, which helps calm your body after the initial jolt.
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From the Editor: In Closing...
#CBSAggies,
I launched The DNA to share timely information and strengthen connections and community across CBS—what I like to call our Community of Biology Scholars. Engaging with you in this space, while developing and advocating for programs that help you pursue your goals and discover new ones, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at UC Davis.
It's all a part of helping each of you be a biologist!
As you continue your journey, keep supporting one another, stay curious, and trust in your ability to succeed. The relationships you build here—with peers, faculty, mentors, colleagues, and friends—form the foundation of a network that can support you long after your time on campus. And if you'd like to keep me in that network, or share your future successes, you can always find me on LinkedIn.
With gratitude and my best regards,
Helen
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Options and Opportunities
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CBS Student Bulletin
UPDATING AFTER FINALS
CBS faculty and staff are really connected. 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
| | | College of Biological Sciences | Dean's Office Advising 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall | Davis, CA 95616 US | | | | |
