A Year of Innovation
In 2025, the strength of the CBS community was clear—from groundbreaking discoveries that deepen our understanding of life, to the generosity that fuels our students, faculty, and research programs. Our faculty continued to make new discoveries and innovative strides toward elucidating some of life’s most pressing and challenging questions. Donor support empowered the excellence we see across our labs and classrooms, strengthened experiential learning opportunities, and advanced the innovative work that positions UC Davis at the forefront of the biological sciences.
This year also marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of the college, underscoring our long-standing commitment to curiosity, collaboration, and scientific excellence. As we reflect on this milestone, I encourage you to revisit the achievements highlighted here and continue championing the research that drives our mission forward.
Go Ags!
— Mark Winey, dean
Our Top Stories of 2025
Revisit the year’s top breakthroughs with five stories that show how the College of Biological Sciences is pushing discovery forward and deepening our understanding of life.
Can Citizen Science be Trusted? New Study of Birds Shows it Can
Researchers in the Department of Evolution and Ecology showed that crowdsourced observations from iNaturalist and eBird can reliably track bird migrations—proving that citizen science data, even from casual observers, can power real ecological discovery.
Wily Parasite Kills Human Cells and Wears Their Remains as Disguise
Researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics are uncovering how a microscopic killer evades our immune system—by wearing stolen human proteins as a disguise—and building the tools that could one day stop it.
This Snail’s Eyes Grow Back: Could They Help Humans do the Same?
Researchers in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology are uncovering how apple snails regrow complex, camera-like eyes, and their new genome-editing tools show how shared genes and structures could guide future advances in restoring human vision.
Restoring Voices—and Identity—with Neuroengineering
Researchers in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior are developing neuroengineering tools that translate facial muscle signals into natural-sounding speech, offering a path to restore people’s unique voices lost to disease or injury.
Plants Balance Adaptability in Skin Cells with Stability in Sex Cells
Researchers in the Department of Plant Biology showed that plants manage mutation rates differently across stem cell layers, allowing the cells that form skin to adapt while keeping reproductive cells stable — insights that could guide better breeding of key crops like potatoes and bananas.
Philanthropy Highlights
(July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025)
$7,442,422 raised
819 donors
858 gifts
With Give Day 2025 boasting 304 donors and $407,128 dollars raised!
Scholarships and Awards
104 undergraduate awards given
14 of which funded undergraduate summer research
42 graduate awards given
6 of which supported graduate student conference travel
Dean's Innovation Fund Impact
60% student support
including mentorship and research awards, club, conference and symposia sponsorships, and international research exchange.
40% college and department support
including department seminars and Principles of Community fellowships and initiatives.
Formerly the CBS Annual Fund/Dean's Circle Fund, the CBS Dean's Innovation Fund is 100% donor funded and empowers the dean to invest in college priorities, strategic initiatives, and emerging opportunities and needs.
A Note of Thanks
My scholarship has had a meaningful impact on both my academic and personal journey. It not only eased financial burdens but also affirmed my belief that my experiences and challenges have shaped me into someone capable of making a difference. Donor support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities in research and health equity that I once thought were beyond my reach. I am deeply grateful for the investment in my future and for helping students like me move closer to our goals. —Jennifer Dang, Class of 2026
CBS Students in the Spotlight
Mentorship and Marine Research: Claire Murphy Receives Top CBS Graduate Award
Claire Murphy, a Ph.D. candidate in the Population Biology Graduate Group, received the 2025 CBS Dean’s Mentorship Award for her dedication to fostering inclusion and curiosity in science.
CBS Major Named Top UC Davis Graduate
Avantika Gokulnatha studied aging, and served for two years as president of Breaking Barriers, a student organization that seeks to reduce the isolation of seniors by developing their skills for using technology.
From Researcher to Educator: One Grad Student’s Path to Teaching
Nathaniel “Nate” Herrera, a graduate student in the college’s Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group, was inspired to teach by the opportunity to have a tangible impact on students’ performance and confidence.
EVE Scholars Explore New Depths at the Bodega Marine Lab
Undergraduates have opportunities to dive into independent research at the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) through the EVE Scholars Program. Two of them, Aishu Santosh and Caroline Donohew, are pushing the frontiers of marine science.
We Turned 20 this Year
Apparel and Merchandise for the 20th
CBS is marking 20 years of training scientists and driving discovery, and for our anniversary we've launched a digital storefront with merchandise to celebrate past achievements and look ahead to the breakthroughs to come!
Support the 20th Anniversary Matching Initiative
To celebrate our 20 years, 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, thanks to the generosity of the CBS Philanthropy Leadership Council!