Gloved hands hold a petri dish with grid lines and small insect specimens, beneath UC Davis Biome April 2026 newsletter banner.

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Remarkable Achievement

a busy spring of events, awards and rankings

It’s officially spring in Davis. That means finding your bike or scooter – or even car – covered in a yellow dusting of pollen. In my Colorado days, dusting was snow! 


On Saturday, April 18, Picnic Day will welcome thousands to the UC Davis campus for tours, activities, a parade, music and lots more. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there. It’s also UC Davis Give Day – now in its tenth year! Gifts of any amount support everything from undergraduate study to critical research facilities, and help us unlock challenges that provide even greater support. I hope you will consider giving. 


This month also saw two significant rankings, which placed UC Davis in the top 25 nationally and top 50 globally for biological sciences. I could not be prouder of our faculty, staff and students for their many contributions to the success of our college. 


On that note, I was also very pleased to see several CBS-affiliated faculty elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science – a prestigious honor that speaks to the profound impact and importance of their work. 


Finally, I am happy to share that Dave Furlow, a professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior, has agreed to step into the role of associate dean for undergraduate academic programs starting July 1. It is a pleasure to share the news of Dave’s appointment


As you can see, April – and spring – is a time of remarkable achievement and activity here in the college. 


Go Ags!



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Mark Winey, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Biological Sciences

Distinguished Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology 


Featured image above: In the Juliano lab, Hydra—small freshwater animals with remarkable regenerative abilities—are used to study how genes and proteins drive regrowth.


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A Billion Daily Repairs: How Our Cells Mend Broken DNA

A collaborative team from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and Genentech has uncovered how “helper” proteins enable one of the cell’s most important DNA repair systems—insights that could one day improve cancer therapies.


Research & Discovery

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This CBS Graduate Student Studies How Bodies Regrow

Celina Juliano (left) and Iris Juanico (right) examine a clear container with samples in a laboratory.

Iris Juanico, a student in the Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology graduate group, studies hydratiny organisms that can rebuild their entire bodiesto understand how regeneration works from genes to tissues.

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Regeneration for the Next Generation

Researcher in a lab coat and gloves uses a pipette to transfer liquid into a small tube, smiling while working at a lab bench.

Fourth-year biological sciences major Azucena Virgen studies regenerative biology in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology to understand how proteins drive tissue regeneration while building toward a future leading a research lab and mentoring other scientists.

Classroom Spotlight

Lecturer stands at the front of a classroom as students watch a large screen showing a guest speaker on a video call.

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Nobel Laureates Inspire UC Davis Biochemistry Students

Two Nobel laureates chronicled their scientific careers and answered questions during their virtual visits to the “Structure and Function of Biomolecules" class, taught by Walter Leal, a distinguished professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.


Awards & Laurels

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Four New AAAS Fellows Mark 100 Years Since First UC Davis Fellow

Composite image of four faculty headshots arranged side by side against different background colors.

Three faculty with affiliations to CBS graduate groups and one department-based faculty have been elected as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They are among nearly 500 scientists, engineers and other innovators recognized this year.

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CBS Department and Graduate Group Faculty Among Academic Senate Honorees 

Four faculty have been recognized among this year’s Academic Senate and Federation award recipients for “transformative” and “inspiring” contributions to scholarship, teaching and public service—highlighting the impact these faculty have on their fields, students and community.

Featured Laurel

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UC Davis Biological Sciences Programs Recognized in National and Global Rankings

UC Davis continues to be recognized as a leader in the biological sciences, ranking tied for 21st nationally in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools and tied for 43rd globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.



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UC Davis Give Day 2026

UC Davis Give Day is an opportunity to uplift CBS students, faculty and programs. Whether your passion is setting students up for success, fueling world-class research, or supporting college and department operations, you can make a difference on Give Day!



Campus & Community

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How Curiosity and Mentorship Shaped Dean Mark Winey's Scientific Journey

Mark Winey and Chancellor Gary S. May sit at a round table with microphones, smiling during a recorded conversation in a studio.

In a recent Face to Face With UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, Dean Winey reflected on the personal roots of his career, his research on cell division and the importance of mentorship and federal support in advancing science.

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Dave Furlow Named New CBS Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs

Furlow, a professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, brings nearly three decades of experience supporting student learning and expanding hands-on research opportunities to undergraduate education in CBS.

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To celebrate the college's 20th anniversary, every gift to the CBS Dean’s Innovation Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $202,500, from now through June 30, 2026. Your gift to CBS is an investment in the continued exploration of life sciences by a new generation of researchers and future leaders.



Give to the CBS Dean's Innovation Fund


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UC Davis acknowledges the land on which it stands. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of the Patwin people, who have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.

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