Access to research opportunities has long been a staple of the undergraduate experience here at UC Davis. But science is meant to be shared, which is why we encourage students to communicate their research. 

Communication plays a vital role in demonstrating the value of scientific research, and the passion our students show for their work is contagious. 

Recently, the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior hosted a contest for students to profile their research by submitting a compelling video. The winners, undergraduates Tanner Van Es and Jennifer Addleman, found a way to infuse humor and fun into the project. The video demonstrates the mechanics for a proper lunge, which is helpful advice for anyone who likes to stay active and injury-free. 

We’re proud of their work and we look forward to the research questions they’ll tackle next. I invite you to watch their video and see how life science research can be practical, helpful and fun.

Go Ags!

Philipp Zerbe will study switchgrass with the hopes of developing crops that can better withstand stress and produce biofuel more efficiently. He researches plant metabolites called terpenes, which play many roles in plant functions.

Allison Injaian, '18 Ph.D. in Animal Behavior, studies how traffic noise from nearby roads affects tree swallows. In the fall, she'll continue her research at the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.

Undergraduate Kate Borchardt, graduate student Chris Nosala and Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Neil Hunter were recognized with Chancellor's Awards for Excellence by UC Davis Chancellor Gary May at a special ceremony.

In a new study, Professor Stacey Harmer, Department of Plant Biology, and her colleagues found that the seemingly needless complexity of the plant circadian clock helps plants function in a variety of environments.

In honor of her late husband David, Lin, her children and David’s sister Marcia Murray created the David L. Weaver Award, which will provide financial support for neuroscience students, postdocs and junior faculty researching stroke and traumatic brain injury.

For Erwin Bautista, teaching is a calling. Students place their trust in his hands, and it’s his responsibility to shepherd their knowledge of biological concepts. With more than 15 years of experience at UC Davis, he’s taught an array of classes, from gastrointestinal physiology to comparative organology.