News Articles

Why are there so many species of coral reef fish? According to a new study, it’s because about 50 million years ago, some fish figured out how to bite food from hard surfaces. 

Evolution doesn’t proceed at an even pace—species evolve in jumps and spurts, followed by lulls. These periods of rapid diversification usually occur after a dramatic environmental change or upheaval, or when a lineage develops a new “innovation” that allows them to use a previously inaccessible resource. For fish, the ability to feed from a hard surface was one such innovation.

It’s officially spring in Davis. That means finding your bike or scooter – or even car – covered in a yellow dusting of pollen. In my Colorado days, dusting was snow! 

Recent national and global rankings continue to highlight UC Davis as a leader in the biological sciences. In the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, UC Davis biological sciences tied for 21st, placing it among the top biological sciences graduate programs in the United States.

J. David “Dave” Furlow, a professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, has been named the new Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs for the College of Biological Sciences. He will step into the role on July 1, 2026.

For Mark Winey, the path into biology was deeply personal from the start. Watching his sister live with an inherited metabolic disease sparked a curiosity about genetics that would shape his entire career.

He is this month’s guest on Face to Face With Chancellor May. 

Now a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and dean of the College of Biological Sciences, Winey reflects on a journey shaped by both personal motivation and professional passion.

Four faculty from the University of California, Davis, have been elected as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, class of 2025. They are among nearly 500 scientists, engineers and other innovators that the society recognized this year for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.

Here are the new fellows, with their fellowship citations:

Iris Juanico was drawn to science by her innate curiosity. 

“I never stop asking questions,” said Juanico, with a laugh. “I was drawn to science as a child because it involves asking a lot of questions.” 

Four faculty, two each in CBS departments and graduate groups, are among this year’s recipients of the Academic Senate and Federation top awards. They are in a cohort of 15 academics across various disciplines throughout the university to be recognized. 

The awards cite the impact these academics have had on their fields, on UC Davis students and on the broader community through public service.

It’s not often that a Nobel laureate visits a UC Davis undergraduate classroom, but this year, a biochemistry class in Kleiber Hall struck “gold”—twice.

Not one, but two Nobel laureates chronicled their scientific careers and answered questions during their virtual visits to UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal’s winter quarter class, “Structure and Function of Biomolecules.”

A major new discovery could inspire improved treatments for cancer and genetic diseases.

Coiled within our cells are fragile threads of DNA that contain the codes of life— determining when each of our 30 trillion cells must grow, divide, sit tight — or simply die. This arrangement is precarious. Billions of times per day, our DNA is severed by stray chemical reactions. Our cells must rebuild the broken DNA without making mistakes – or the consequences can be dire.