UC Davis Sets New Record for Research Funding: $968 Million

Research may have looked different last year due to the pandemic, but researchers at UC Davis leaned into the challenge, showing their unwavering commitment and passion to address important societal needs despite the operational challenges.

Research Highlights

Pathway to Citizenship for 10 million May Boost GDP by $1.7 Trillion

Granting a pathway to citizenship to all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. would boost the nation's economy by $1.7 trillion over the next decade while creating 438,800 new jobs.
Scientists Are Trying to Make California Forests More Fire Resilient

Not only are the increased fuels from years of fire suppression driving California's wildfires, but the spatial pattern of trees turns out to make a big difference as well.
Win or Lose, Women Are Seeking Election for the Long Haul

Women’s electoral candidacies skyrocketed nationwide in recent years. New research shows this is likely to continue.
People Becoming Desensitized to COVID-19 Illnesses and Death

Fear-based health messages in news reports significantly motivated individuals to take actions to control the threat, yet over-exposure to the same messages desensitized people — or made them less likely to feel anxious over time.
New, Third Type of Supernova Observed

An international team of astronomers has observed the first example of a new type of supernova. The discovery, confirming a prediction made four decades ago, could lead to new insights into the life and death of stars.
Detecting Wildlife Illness and Death With New Early Alert System

Researchers are using an early detection surveillance system for wildlife to identify unusual patterns of illness and death in near real-time by tapping into data from wildlife rehabilitation organizations across California.
Machines Can Help Wine Grape Industry Survive Labor Shortage

Researchers provide new guidance to help growers determine the best use of machines for pruning, canopy management and harvesting.

Innovation News

2020 Innovator of the Year: David Olson, Department of Chemistry

David Olson’s research focuses on harnessing neuroplasticity to treat neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and Alzheimer’s disease. He has identified a new class of medicines called psychoplastogens that rewire the brain to heal damaged neural circuits.


2020 Innovator of the Year: Mark Mascal, Department of Chemistry

Mark Mascal has brought forward an array of innovative and sustainable solutions for energy, electronics and medicine using novel applications of synthetic organic chemistry. Innovations from his lab have led to patent filings for 15 inventions and licenses with six companies.


UC Davis Affiliated Startup Aims to Improve Detection of Congenital Heart Defects in Newborns

Heather Siefkes, assistant professor of pediatric critical care at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, and founder of the startup NeoPOSE, signed a letter of agreement for the exclusive rights to commercialize a new technology developed at UC Davis that could improve the detection of congenital heart defects in newborns.


Turning Tarantula Venom Into Pain Relief

Researchers at UC Davis are developing a new type of pain medication from an unusual source — tarantula venom. The project is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative, aimed at ending opioid addiction and creating non-addictive therapies to treat pain.



Insights

Tahoe State of the Lake Report 2021

The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center released its annual report to inform nonscientists about important factors affecting the health of Lake Tahoe and provide the scientific underpinnings for ecosystem restoration and management decisions within the Lake Tahoe Basin.

UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19

UC Davis LIVE: Post-Pandemic Economy

This episode of UC Davis LIVE explores what’s going on with the U.S. economy as we come out of the pandemic, how it is affecting American families, and if these changes are here to stay.

Researcher Spotlight

Marie Heffern Wins Prestigious NSF Career Award

Marie Heffern, an assistant professor of chemistry, researches the role of metals on hormone function and the impact of metal micronutrients on endocrine disorders

Upcoming Events

Host Factor Targeted Drug Discovery for SARS-CoV-2 Through an International Collaboration

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 show enhanced replication and the potential to evade therapeutic antibodies. In order to develop therapeutic approaches which act in a pan-coronavirus manner, we have mapped the human proteins (host factors) which multiple coronaviruses rely on for replication. Through a rapid drug repurposing effort we have identified zotatifin, a clinical eIF4A inhibitor as a host factor targeted therapeutic. Other examples of targeting essential host factors, including those for immune evasion will be discussed.

August 27

Highlighted Grants

UC Davis Health receives nearly $4 million to train mental health clinicians
UC Davis Proof-of-Concept Grants Advance Innovations Toward Commercialization

Receive this email from a friend? Subscribe now
 Thank You! 
Research at UC Davis is made possible by funding from government agencies, industry sponsors, nonprofit organizations and donor gifts.
For more information about the UC Davis Office of Research, please visit our website, like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.