Kristin Aquilino, an assistant project scientist at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, discusses her journey to UC Davis and her drive to restore white abalone.

As a cognitive neuroscientist, Professor Charan Ranganath studies memory and learning, exploring the intricacies of the mind. But outside of the lab, the UC Davis researcher trades the EEG cap for an electric guitar.

Mark Winey, dean of the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis, became fascinated by science at an early age. But the draw to biology—specifically, genetics—was prompted by Winey’s younger sister Christine, who as an infant was diagnosed with an inherited metabolic disease called galactosemia.

Before delving into the world of endocrinology, Assistant Professor Rebecca Calisi Rodríguez wasn’t following the path of a traditional scientist. She’d studied studio art and psychology at both Skidmore College and Boston College and thought she wanted to pursue the artist’s life.