Female faculty and student looking at a research poster

Faculty Memberships and Awards

Academy Memberships and Awards

  • National Academy of Sciences

  • Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. 

    Michael Turelli, Evolution and Ecology – 2021
    Sharon Strauss, Evolution and Ecology – 2021
    Jodi Nunnari, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2017
    Harris Lewin, Evolution and Ecology – 2012

    Johanna Schmitt, Evolution and Ecology - 2008
    Stephen Kowalczykowski, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2007
    Roy Doi, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2006
    Deborah Delmer, Plant Biology – 2004
    Edward J. Jones, Center for Neuroscience – 2004
    J. Clark Lagarias, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2001
    Eric E. Conn, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1988
    John Roth, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 1988
    Thomas W. Schoener, Evolution and Ecology – 1984
    Melvin M. Green, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1980
    Emanuel Q. Epstein, Plant Biology – 1978
    Paul K. Stumpf, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1978
    Peter R. Marler, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 1971
    G. Ledyard Stebbins, Genetics – 1952

  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences

  • Since its founding in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has convened leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to address critical challenges facing our global society. 

    Jodi Nunnari, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2020
    Sharon Strauss, Evolution and Ecology – 2015
    Peter Wainwright, Evolution and Ecology – 2015
    John Wingfield, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2014
    Maureen Stanton, Evolution and Ecology – 2012
    Johanna Schmitt, Evolution and Ecology – 2010
    Charles Langley, Evolution and Ecology – 2007
    Stephen Kowalczykowski, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2005
    Michael Turelli, Evolution and Ecology – 2005
    Thomas W. Schoener, Evolution and Ecology – 1991
    Peter R. Marler, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 1970
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows
  • Election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science is an honor bestowed upon members by their peers. Fellows are recognized for meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications. 


    Frederick T. Addicott, Plant Biology
    Sean Burgess,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Judy Callis, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Leo M. Chalupa, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Ernest S. Chang, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Peter Chesson, Evolution and Ecology
    Luca Comai, Plant Biology
    James S. Clegg,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    John H. Crowe, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Michael Dahmus, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Katayoon "Katie" Dehesh, Plant Biology
    Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar, Plant Biology 
    Roy H. Doi,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Jonathan Eisen, Evolution and Ecology
    Emanuel Q. Epstein, Plant Biology
    Carol Erickson,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Charles Gasser, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Leslie D. Gottlieb, Evolution and Ecology
    John Harada, Plant Biology
    Stacey Harmer, Plant Biology
    Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
    Milton Hildebrand, Evolution and Ecology
    Barbara A. Horwitz, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior 
    Mark Huising, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Neil Hunter, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
    Stephen Kowalczykowski, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
    Julie Leary,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    William J. Lucas, Plant Biology
    Julin N. MalooB, Plant Biology
    Peter R. Marler, Zoology
    Richard Michelmore,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Brian C. Mulloney, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Diana Myles,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Richard L. Nuccitelli, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Timothy G. Prout, Evolution and Ecology
    Raymond L. Rodriguez,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, Evolution and Ecology
    John Roth, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
    Carl Schmid,     Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Irwin Segel, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Arthur M. Shapiro, Evolution and Ecology
    Neelima Ray Sinha, Plant Biology
    John “Jay” Stachowicz, Evolution and Ecology
    Judy A. Stamps, Evolution and Ecology
    Donald R. Strong, Evolution and Ecology
    Paul K. Stumpf,     Molecular and Cellular Biology 
    Venkatesan Sundaresan, Plant Biology
    Steven Theg, Plant Biology
    John S. Werner, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Susan Williams, Evolution and Ecology
    John C. Wingfield, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Martin C. Wilson, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Karen Zito, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

  • American Society for Cell Biology Fellows
  • The American Society for Cell Biology was founded in 1960 as an international forum for cell biologists dedicated to advancing discoveries, improving education worldwide and increasing diversity in the sciences.


    Mark Winey, Molecular and Cellular Biology - 2019
    Jodi Nunnari,     Molecular and Cellular Biology - 2017
    Jonathan Scholey, Molecular and Cellular Biology - 2017

  • Ecological Society of America
  • The Ecological Society of America promotes ecological science. Members conduct research, teach, and use ecological science to address environmental issues. 


    Thomas W. Schoener, Evolution and Ecology
    Donald R. Strong Jr., Evolution and Ecology

California Awards

  • California Academy of Sciences Fellows
  • Fellows of the California Academy of Sciences are a group of distinguished scientists, nominated and appointed in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the natural sciences.

    James A. Doyle, Evolution and Ecology
    Richard Grosberg, Evolution and Ecology
    Walter Leal, Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Peter R. Marler, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior
    Arthur M. Shapiro, Evolution and Ecology​​​​​​​
    Maureen Stanton, Evolution and Ecology​​​​​​​
    Catherine A. Toft, Evolution and Ecology​​​​​​​
    Peter C. Wainwright, Evolution and Ecology​​​​​​​
    Susan L. Williams, Evolution and Ecology 

College Awards

  • College of Biological Sciences Faculty Research Award
  • Susan Lott, Evolution and Ecology – 2020-2021
    Celina Juliano, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2019-2020
    Siobhan Brady, Plant Biology – 2018-2019
    Venkatesan Sundaresan, Plant Biology – 2018-2019
    Mark Huising, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2017-2018
    Stacey Harmer, Plant Biology – 2016-2017
    Savithramma Dinesh-Kumar, Plant Biology – 2015-2016
    Luca Comai, Plant Biology – 2014-2015
    Graham Coop, Evolution and Ecology – 2013-2014
    Neil Hunter, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2012-2013
    Martin Usrey, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2011-2012
    Ian Korf, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2011-2012
    Frederic Chedin, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2011-2012
    Jodi Nunnari, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2010-2011
    Stephen Kowalczykowski, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2010-2011
    Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2010-2011
    Charles Gasser, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2010-2011
  • College of Biological Sciences Faculty Teaching Award
  • Sebastian Schreiber, Evolution and Ecology – 2020-2021
    Brian Gaylord, Evolution and Ecology – 2019-2020
    Julin Maloof, Plant Biology – 2018-2019
    JoAnne Engebrecht, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2017-2018
    Luca Comai​​​​​​​, Plant Biology – 2016-2017
    Michele Igo, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2016-2017
    Gail Patricelli, Evolution and Ecology – 2015-2016
    Jeanette Natzle​​​​​​​, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2014-2015
    Katie Dehesh​​​​​​​, Plant Biology – 2013-2014
    Eric Sanford, Evolution and Ecology – 2012-2013
    Susan Keen, Evolution and Ecology – 2011-2012
    Jay Stachowicz, Evolution and Ecology – 2010-2011
    Carol Erickson​​​​​​​, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2009-2010
    Peter Wainwright, Evolution and Ecology – 2008-2009
    James Shaffrath​​​​​​​, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2007-2008
    Mark Wheelis, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2006-2007
    Charles Gasser​​​​​​​, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2004-2005
    Terry Murphy, Plant Biology – 2002-2003
    Bradley Shaffer, Evolution and Ecology – 2001-2002
    Richard Grosberg, Evolution and Ecology – 2000-2001

National Awards

  • Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship
  • The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation awards two-year fellowships annually to 126 researchers in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field. 

    Rachael Bay, Evolution and Ecology – 2019
    Patrick Shih, Plant Biology – 2019
    Jonathan Eisen, Evolution and Ecology – 2011
    Graham Coop, Evolution and Ecology – 2009
    Hwai-Jong Cheng, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 2004
    A. Kimberley McAllister, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 2001
    Martin Usrey, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 2001
    Gregg Recanzone, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 1996
    Mitchell Sutter, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 1995
    Brian Mulloney, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 1975-1977
  • Hartwell Foundation Individual Biomedical Research Award
  • The Hartwell Foundation recognizes individuals for innovative and cutting-edge biomedical applied research by providing funds for early-stage research projects that have not yet qualified for funding from traditional sources. 

    Mark Huising, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2014
    Frederic Chedin, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2012
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators
  • The Howard Hughes Medical Institute advances biomedical research and science education for the benefit of humanity. HHMI empowers exceptional scientists and students to pursue fundamental questions about living systems.

    Siobhan Brady, Plant Biology – 2016
    Mark Goldman, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2014
    Neil Hunter, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2009
  • John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow
  • Guggenheim Fellowships are awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts. 

    Artyom Kopp, Evolution and Ecology – 2009
    Thomas W. Schoener, Evolution and Ecology – 1992
    Carl Schmid, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1988
    Michael Turelli, Evolution and Ecology – 1986
    Leslie D. Gottlieb, Evolution and Ecology – 1975
    John Roth, Microbiology – 1974
    Paul Alexander Castelfranco, Botany – 1973
    Jerry Hedrick, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1971
    Norma J. Lang, Botany – 1969
    John Lyman Ingraham, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 1965
    Grady Webster, Botany – 1964
    Peter R. Marler, Zoology – 1964
    Paul K. Stumpf, Biochemistry – 1961, 1968
    Everett Williams Jameson, Jr., Zoology – 1958
    Melvin Green, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1956, 1968
    John Tucker, Botany – 1955
    G. Ledyard Stebbins, Genetics – 1953, 1960
    Daniel I. Axelrod, Botany – 1952
    Robert E. Hungate, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 1950
  • David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship in Science and Engineering

  • The David and Lucile Packard Foundation provides the nation’s most promising early-career scientists and engineers with flexible funding and the freedom to take risks and explore new frontiers in their fields of study.

    Rachael Bay, Evolution and Ecology – 2021
    Patrick Shih, Plant Biology – 2020

  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award

  • The National Science Foundation CAREER awards support junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through research and education.

    Nitzan Shabek, Plant Biology – 2021

  • Department of Energy Early Career Award

  • The Department of Energy Early Career Awards support the research of outstanding scientists early in their careers.

    James Letts, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2021

Presidential Awards

  • Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
  • The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers.

    Mariel Vazquez, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2012
    William DeBello, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 2004
    W. Martin Usrey, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Center for Neuroscience – 2001

University Awards

  • University of California Presidential Award for Excellence in Fostering Undergraduate Research
  • Barbara A. Horwitz, Animal Physiology – 1995
  • UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award
  • This award is presented annually to recognize significant contributions to the world, nation, state and community. Scholarly public service is an organized activity that extends a faculty member’s expertise in teaching, research or professional competence beyond the university campus and into local, state, national, or international public arenas.

    Susan Williams, Evolution and Ecology – 2010
    H. Bradley Shaffer, Evolution and Ecology – 2006

    Richard Michelmore, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2020
    Walter Leal, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2022

  • UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award
  • Each year, the Academic Senate presents Distinguished Teaching Awards to honor its members for Excellence in Teaching.

    Gail Patricelli, Evolution and Ecology – 2018, undergraduate
    Eric Sanford, Evolution and Ecology – 2016, undergraduate
    Susan Keen, Evolution and Ecology – 2014, undergraduate
    Sharon Strauss, Evolution and Ecology – 2013, graduate
    John "Jay" Stachowicz, Evolution and Ecology – 2012, undergraduate
    Carol Erickson, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2011, graduate
    Judy Callis, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2009, undergraduate
    Roy Doi, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2008, graduate
    Peter Wainwright, Evolution and Ecology – 2008, undergraduate
    John Harada, Plant Biology – 2007
    Charles Gasser, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2006, undergraduate
    Richard Grosberg, Evolution and Ecology – 2002
    Thomas L. Rost, Plant Biology – 1997
    Arnold J. Sillman, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 1995
    Arthur M. Shapiro, Evolution and Ecology – 1990
    John M. Horowitz, Animal Physiology – 1988
    Michael G. Barbour, Botany – 1988
    Ernest M. Gifford, Botany – 1986
    Barbara A. Horwitz, Animal Physiology – 1982
    Robert D. Grey, Zoology – 1978
    Robert M. Thornton, Botany – 1975
    Milton Hildebrand, Zoology – 1974
    Eric E. Conn, Biochemistry and Biophysics – 1974
    G. Ledyard Stebbins, Genetics – 1972
  • UC Davis Academic Federation Excellence in Teaching Award
  • This award is given in recognition of the contributions made by Academic Federation faculty members to the teaching mission of the Davis campus.

    Eric Mann, Microbiology – 2012
    James Shaffrath, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2008
    Erwin Bautista, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2007
    Susan Keen, Evolution and Ecology – 2006
    Deborah Canington, Plant Biology – 1998
    Tom Adamson, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 1996
  • UC Davis Academic Federation James H. Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award
  • This award recognizes a distinguished career of achievement by an Academic Federation member in meeting the responsibilities associated with the nominee’s job title. A secondary, but important, consideration is service to the campus, the UC community, or state, regional, or national bodies.

    Carole Hom, Evolution and Ecology – 2005
    Martina Newell-McGloughlin, UC Davis Biotechnology Program – 2001
  • UC Davis Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research
  • Each year a UC Davis faculty member is selected for excellence in mentoring undergraduate research. The mentoring award is given to a faculty member who has been conspicuously effective in supporting undergraduate research projects.

    Neil Hunter, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2018
    Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2011
    Neelima Sinha, Plant Biology – 2001
    Terence M. Murphy, Plant Biology – 1999
    R. Scott Hawley, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 1997
    Barbara A. Horwitz, Animal Physiology – 1995
    Merna R. Villarejo, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 1994
  • UC Davis Chancellor's Fellows
  • This five-year distinction honors faculty members who are early in their careers and have already compiled outstanding records of achievement.

    Stacey Combes, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2018-2022
    Aldrin Gomes, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2017-2021
    Siobhan Brady, Plant Biology – 2017-2021
    Karen Zito, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2015-2020
    Graham Coop, Evolution and Ecology – 2014-2019
    Gail Patricelli, Evolution and Ecology – 2013-2018
    Stacy Harmer, Plant Biology – 2011-2016
    Artyom Kopp, Evolution and Ecology – 2010-2015
    Neil Hunter, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2009-2014
    Henning Stahlberg, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2008-2013
    Kimberley McAllister, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2007-2012
    John "Jay" Stachowicz, Evolution and Ecology – 2006-2011
    David Begun, professor Evolution and Ecology – 2005-2010
    Edmond (Ted) Powers, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2005-2010
    Sergey Nuzhdin, Evolution and Ecology – 2004-2009
    John Bowman, Plant Biology – 2003-08
    Sharon Strauss, Evolution and Ecology – 2002-07
    Jodi Nunnari, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2001-06
    Michael Sanderson, Evolution and Ecology – 2000-05
    Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2000-05
  • UC Davis Hellman Fellows
  • The UC Davis Hellman Fellows Program promotes the scholarly growth of faculty members at the Assistant Professor rank who exhibit the potential for great academic distinction, and for whom Hellman funding can significantly stimulate productivity in research and other creative scholarly activities. 

    Sean Collins, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2016-2018
    Diasynou Fioravante, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2016-2018
    Katherine S. Ralston, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2016-2018
    Phillip Zerbe, Plant Biology – 2016
    Jawdat Al-Bassam, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2014-2015
    Lifeng Xu, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2013-2014
    Kieth Baar, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2011-2012
    Siobhan Brady, Plant Biology – 2011-2012
    Arne Ekstrom, Neuroscience – 2011-2012
  • UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement
  • This prize was created to honor faculty who are both exceptional teachers and scholars and is funded through philanthropic gifts managed by the UC Davis Foundation. The winner is selected based on the nominations of other professors, research peers, representatives from the UC Davis Foundation Board of Trustees, and students.

    Judy Callis, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2018
    Richard Grosberg, Evolution and Ecology – 2010
    Maureen Stanton, Evolution and Ecology – 2005
    Barbara A. Horwitz, Animal Physiology – 1991
    Eric E. Conn, Biochemistry and Biophysics – 1989

  • UC Davis Early Career Faculty Award for Creativity and Innovation

  • This award promotes and supports exploration, creativity, and advances in research by UC Davis faculty. It is intended to encourage talented early-career faculty to develop their own intellectual pursuits.

    Priya Shah, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2022
    Katherine Ralston, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics – 2019

  • UC Davis Chancellor’s Innovator Award

  • This award recognizes faculty, community partners, and industry leaders for their success in developing new technologies, social platforms or other innovations based on university research or academic endeavors.

    Richard Michelmore, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2021

  • Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS) Scholars

  • CAMPOS emerged out of a 2012 National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant to expand the presence of women and historically marginalized faculty in STEMM at UC Davis. 

    Wilsaan M. Joiner, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior – 2018
    James A. Letts, Molecular and Cellular Biology – 2018