Special Event to Celebrate Surpassing $1 Billion in Annual Research Funding

Join us on Nov. 1, 2022, at a special event to celebrate surpassing $1 billion in annual research funding and to explore bold visions for future research.

This year UC Davis reached a major milestone, surpassing $1 billion in research funding, a goal achieved by fewer than 20 public universities across the nation. This accomplishment is the result of our exceptional research community and reflects a commitment to think beyond what is expected.

To celebrate, we are hosting a special event where some of our most visionary researchers and innovators will share their most audacious ideas. We invite you to join us!

No slides, no charts, no conclusions…. Just bold visions untethered to expectations and intended to stimulate new thoughts, research, innovation and collaborations. Topics will include health, technology, environment, spaceflight and more.

Chancellor Gary S. May, Provost Mary Croughan and Vice Chancellor for Research Prasant Mohapatra will present opening remarks.

Speakers Include

David Block, Professor and Marvin Sands Department Chair, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Ernest Gallo Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology
Diana L. Farmer, Distinguished Professor and Pearl Stamps Stewart Endowed Chair, Chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery, Founder and Co-Director of the Department of Surgery Center for Surgical Bioengineering
Maria Marco, Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Chair of the Food Science Graduate Group
Isabel P. Montañez, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Director of the Institute of the Environment
Karen Moxon, Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Jan Nolta, Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, Director of the Institute for Regenerative Cures
David E. Olson, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Director of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics
Stephen K. Robinson, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Director of the UC Davis Center for Spaceflight Research and Director of the NASA “Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration” Space Technology Research Institute
Priya Shah, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Innovation Spotlights Include

California Lighting Technology Center
Michael Siminovitch, CLTC Director; Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency; Professor of Design
How new technology and new research is changing how we light our building from home to hospital.

Explorer Total-Body Scanner
Qian Wang, Imaging Scientist, Biomedical Engineering
The EXPLORER scanner is the world’s first medical device that can image the entire human body simultaneously. More than 2500 studies have been completed since its installation in 2019 at UCD Health, including over 20 research trials to study a broad range of diseases. A further 12 EXPLORER systems have already been installed around the world.

Farm of the Future: Innovations to deliver clean, delicious and nutritious food
Gail Taylor, Distinguished Professor and John B Orr Endowed Professor, Environmental Plant Sciences; Chair, Plant Sciences
Watercress is both a superfood and a wonderful example of the future of indoor vertical farming. This bright-tasting, lemony-peppery herb is packed with 17 key nutrients – more than even spinach and kale! It’s loaded with natural substances that fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes and DNA damage. Growing watercress and other vegetables in indoor vertical farms lets us produce food with better flavor, more nutrition, longer shelf-life and less water.