University News

Alum Nathaniel Hartinger Named UC ��ԭ�� Fire Chief

Cody Kitaura — August 07, 2025

After more than a year serving as interim fire chief, Nathaniel Hartinger has been officially selected chief of the UC ��ԭ�� Fire Department. The announcement follows a competitive, national search.

Tariffs Can Improve U.S. Economy, But Global Trade Realities, Retaliation, Could Offset Gains

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — August 07, 2025

The United States could achieve modest economic benefits by applying uniform tariffs on all trade partners, according to new research led by a University of California, ��ԭ��, economist. However, the complicated realities of supply chains, global trade and its downstream effects on people and businesses could offset economic gains and even lead to significant losses.

More Social Events, Resources Support Summer Sessions Students

Julia Ann Easley — August 06, 2025

Alison Rader picked up the pink and green towel she had used as a mat, drew a deep breath and smiled. “I’ve been feeling kind of keyed up,” the rising senior said. “Yoga in the morning helps release some of that tension.”

Soon the statistics major was off to class in a fast-paced, six-week course in calculus, but not before Summer Sessions staff, who had organized the yoga class, invited her to the next day’s coffee and donut gathering for students before exams in the first summer session.

This Snail’s Eyes Grow Back: Could They Help Humans do the Same?

Andy Fell — August 06, 2025

Human eyes are complex and irreparable, yet they are structurally like those of the freshwater apple snail, which can completely regenerate its eyes. Alice Accorsi, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, ��ԭ��, studies how these snails regrow their eyes — with the goal of eventually helping to restore vision in people with eye injuries.

CHANCELL-ING: Forging a Fire-Safe Future Together

Cody Kitaura — August 04, 2025

Just six months after the devastating Palisades, Eaton and Hurst Fires that swept across Los Angeles, and a month after the shocking Oakdale Fire right here in Yolo County, it’s increasingly clear that the threat of wildfires is real — and growing.

Psychedelics and Non-hallucinogenic Analogs Work Through the Same Receptor, Up to a Point

Andy Fell — August 04, 2025

Understanding exactly how psychedelics promote new connections in the brain is critical to developing targeted, non-hallucinogenic therapeutics that can treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. To achieve this, researchers are mapping the biochemical pathways involved in both neuroplasticity and hallucinations.

A Message from UC President James B. Milliken

James Michael Nash — August 01, 2025

University of California President James B. Milliken issued the following message today (Aug. 1) to members of the UC community:

Dear UC colleagues:

Today I’m joining the hundreds of thousands of faculty, students and staff who make the University of California what it is — the premier public research university system in the world. I am honored by my association with all of you.

Rainy Tropics Could Face Unprecedented Droughts as an Atlantic Current Slows

Andy Fell — July 30, 2025

New research warns that global rainfall patterns could shift dramatically as a result of climate change

National Science Foundation Awards UC ��ԭ�� $5 Million for Artificial Intelligence Hub

Andy Fell — July 29, 2025

The National Science Foundation has awarded $5 million over five years to the University of California, ��ԭ��, to run the Artificial Intelligence Institutes Virtual Organization, a community hub for new and existing AI institutes established by the federal government.

AIVO is part of a $100 million public-private investment in AI announced by NSF July 29.

UC ��ԭ�� Sees Jump in Records of Invention, Driven by Health Innovation

James Michael Nash — July 29, 2025

UC ��ԭ�� has experienced a surge in records of invention (ROIs), marking a strong rebound in research innovation. The university filed 191 ROIs in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025, up from 140 the prior year, a 36% increase that reverses a multiyear decline dating back to fiscal 2021.

An ROI is a confidential university document used to formally capture an invention, its details and inventors, serving as the initial step in evaluating the potential for patentability and commercialization. On average, anywhere from 10% to 25% of ROIs eventually become patents.

Accelerating Momentum: UC ��ԭ�� Achieves Historic Fundraising Year

James Michael Nash — July 29, 2025

In its second-greatest year of fundraising yet, the University of California, ��ԭ��, raised nearly $318 million in the year ended June 30, 2025. Donors supported a wide range of university programs and initiatives, helping drive student success, fuel groundbreaking research, enhance health care and much more.

Among the Academies: A Holistic Approach

Jose Antonio Vadi — July 29, 2025

An invisible ecosystem of checks and balances exists within our bodies. But what happens when disease throws a wrench in these works?

Distinguished Professor Andreas Bäumler is a leader in the study of microbial physiology. He is particularly known for his holistic research on the role of the host’s environment and the microbial composition of an organ, specifically the gut’s microbiota.

UC ��ԭ�� Admits Record High Number for First-Year Studies

Julia Ann Easley — July 28, 2025

The University of California, ��ԭ��, has offered undergraduate admission for fall 2025 to 8.6% more applicants than last year — including a record high number for first-year status, according to statistics released today (July 28) by the University of California system.

Offers of admission were made to a record high of 45,963 applicants for first-year status (a 10.4% increase over last year) and 9,776 as transfer students (a 0.8% increase) for a total of 55,739. Of that total, 34,088 are California residents, an increase of 1.7% over last year.

The Color Lab Uncovers the Soothing Effects of Light

Jocelyn C Anderson — July 28, 2025

Veronica Then wore an electroencephalogram, or EEG, cap and stood in front of a black curtain with a white square placed behind her like a target. Studio lights beamed down from the ceiling as a panel of judges watched. The judges were anonymous, clad in white lab coats and white facemasks.

LAURELS: NSF, American Ceramic Society, IFAMA

Cody Kitaura — July 28, 2025

In this Laurels column, find news of recent recognition for individual faculty members, a lab and Student Housing and Dining Services.

Dateline UC ��ԭ�� welcomes news of faculty and staff awards, for publication in Laurels. Send information to dateline@ucdavis.edu.

Fire, Police to Train at ARC in August

Cody Kitaura — July 28, 2025

The Activities and Recreation Center, or ARC, will be closed on the mornings of Aug. 19, 21 and 22 for a training exercise. The UC ��ԭ�� and city of ��ԭ�� police and fire departments will be practicing their response and coordination during an active shooter incident.

The drills will involve loud noises including simulated gunshots. There will be police and fire vehicles in Lot 25 and in the loading areas behind the ARC, and parking availability will be limited in the area .

How Plants are Learning to Spot Sneaky Bacterial Invaders

Amy M Quinton — July 28, 2025

UC ��ԭ�� scientists are using AI t help plants recognize a wider range of bacterial threats.

Finding Human Brain Genes in Duplicated DNA

Andy Fell — July 21, 2025

What makes the human brain distinctive? A new study published July 21 in Cell identifies two genes linked to human brain features and provides a road map to discover many more. The research could lead to insights into the functioning and evolution of the human brain, as well as the roots of language disorders and autism.

Tahoe State of the Lake Report Released for 2024

Katherine E Kerlin — July 17, 2025

The UC ��ԭ�� Tahoe Environmental Research Center today released its “Tahoe: State of the Lake Report ,” which presents data from 2024 in the context of the long-term record.

UC ��ԭ�� Grad Student Named New Student Regent

Cody Kitaura — July 16, 2025

The University of California Board of Regents today (July 16) appointed UC ��ԭ�� graduate student Miguel Craven as the 2026-27 student regent. Craven will serve from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026 as student regent-designate. He will have voting privileges when his one-year term as student regent begins on July 1, 2026.