Research

Impact

FISCAL YEAR 2023-24

At a Glance

$1.04

Billion Research
Funding

6

New Startup
Licenses

140

Records of
Invention

1290+

Patents on
Record

Greetings

The 2023-24 fiscal year marked the third consecutive year exceeding $1 billion in research funding, an accomplishment limited to few public universities in the nation. While impressive, the number is less important than the ultimate impact it makes possible.

Insight and innovations from research at UC Davis continue to unlock advancements on a global scale. This report captures many examples: life-saving therapies for pancreatic cancer, a vaccine to combat a deadly virus impacting rural Africa and drone technology to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

UC Davis research also yields innovative new technologies and commercial solutions. This past year, UC Davis researchers submitted 140 invention disclosures and received 109 patents and plant certificates.

This success reflects the broad ingenuity and passion of our faculty, researchers and staff throughout the university.

I was thrilled to join UC Davis as vice chancellor for research in November last year and the more I learn about the people here and their passion, the more my excitement grows, along with my vision for what we can achieve together.

Simon J. Atkinson
Vice Chancellor for Research

Greetings

The 2023-24 fiscal year marked the third consecutive year exceeding $1 billion in research funding, an accomplishment limited to few public universities in the nation. While impressive, the number is less important than the ultimate impact it makes possible.

Insight and innovations from research at UC Davis continue to unlock advancements on a global scale. This report captures many examples: life-saving therapies for pancreatic cancer, a vaccine to combat a deadly virus impacting rural Africa and drone technology to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

UC Davis research also yields innovative new technologies and commercial solutions. This past year, UC Davis researchers submitted 140 invention disclosures and received 109 patents and plant certificates.

This success reflects the broad ingenuity and passion of our faculty, researchers and staff throughout the university.

I was thrilled to join UC Davis as vice chancellor for research in November last year and the more I learn about the people here and their passion, the more my excitement grows, along with my vision for what we can achieve together.

Simon J. Atkinson
Vice Chancellor for Research

Greetings

The 2023-24 fiscal year marked the third consecutive year exceeding $1 billion in research funding, an accomplishment limited to few public universities in the nation. While impressive, the number is less important than the ultimate impact it makes possible.

Insight and innovations from research at UC Davis continue to unlock advancements on a global scale. This report captures many examples: life-saving therapies for pancreatic cancer, a vaccine to combat a deadly virus impacting rural Africa and drone technology to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

UC Davis research also yields innovative new technologies and commercial solutions. This past year, UC Davis researchers submitted 140 invention disclosures and received 109 patents and plant certificates.

This success reflects the broad ingenuity and passion of our faculty, researchers and staff throughout the university.

I was thrilled to join UC Davis as vice chancellor for research in November last year and the more I learn about the people here and their passion, the more my excitement grows, along with my vision for what we can achieve together.

Simon J. Atkinson
Vice Chancellor for Research

RESEARCH

Driven by relentless curiosity and passion to thrive.

Researchers at UC Davis unlock insight and solutions that prepare our world for a better tomorrow. Our programs address some of the most complex challenges we face, often bringing together experts from multiple disciplines to collaborate on groundbreaking discoveries.

Advancing Human and Animal Health

UC Davis is known worldwide for its leadership in the life sciences. Interdisciplinary teams of researchers, clinicians and engineers collaborate to reveal discoveries and innovations that improve and extend the quality of our lives, as well as the lives of the animals that surround us.

Discovery Could Advance Life-Saving Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer

World’s First Stem Cell Treatment for Spina Bifida Delivered During Fetal Surgery

Novel Imaging Technology Captures the Body’s Immune Response to COVID-19

Capsule Captures First Look Inside Digestion in Healthy People

Human Vaccine Clinical Trial to Combat Deadly Virus Impacting Rural Africa

Bird Flu Virus Found in Milk, What it Means for Dairy Industry and Milk Drinkers

Study Uncovers How the HIV Virus Spreads in the Brain

Economic Analysis Found “Whole Health” Approach to Weight Loss Cost-Effective

Protecting Our Planet and Food Supply

As strains on our environment and food supply accelerate, researchers at UC Davis continue to provide critical insight and innovative solutions for a path toward a sustainable future.

New Drone Research Advances Wildfire Monitoring

World’s First Stem Cell Treatment for Spina Bifida Delivered During Fetal Surgery

Innovation in Solar Panel Efficiency Make Around-The-Clock Solar Energy Possible

Capsule Captures First Look Inside Digestion in Healthy People

Once Pristine, Alaska’s Most Remote Rivers and Streams Turning Orange

Coal Train Pollution Increases Health Risks and Disparities

Ocean Acidification Creates a Legacy of Stress for Red Abalone

Using AI to Further Understand Connection Between Food Production and Human Health

Empowering a Safer, More Resilient Society

Researchers at UC Davis are unlocking new ways to enrich lives around the globe, helping those in need overcome obstacles and thrive.

Understanding How Students Learn Through Virtual Reality

Differences in How Males and Females Respond to Social Stress Arises in Puberty

Report Finds Little Progress in Health Equity Over Two Decades

Immigrants Have Lower Incarceration Rates Relative to U.S.-Born

Environmental Justice Apprenticeship Program Provides Frontline Experience

Enlightening Curious Minds

Spurred by boundless curiosity, UC Davis researchers continue to provide foundational insights into ourselves and the world around us.

Rise of Archery Dates Back Much Earlier and Relates to Social Advancements

Probing the Cognitive Mechanisms Behind Free Will

How Uncertainty Builds Anxiety

Mathematical Models Making Biology and Disease More Predictive

BY THE

NUMBERS

Extramural Awards by Source ($Millions)

Funding Sources

INNOVATION

Thinking beyond today. Solving for tomorrow.

Research at UC Davis often leads to innovations that enable tomorrow’s products, services and businesses. These solutions not only enhance lives but serve as vital contributors to our local and national economies.

Innovation and Technology Transfer

From life-saving medical treatments to sustainable environmental solutions, innovations from UC Davis benefit everyday life in California communities and around the globe. Last year, the Office of Research’s Technology Transfer Office received 140 records of invention, submitted 208 patent applications and secured 109 patents and plant certificates.

UC Davis Enabled Startup Developing Therapeutic Products to Treat Cancer Patients

Researchers Create App to Help Drones Improve Farm Efficiency

World’s First Stem Cell Treatment for Spina Bifida Delivered During Fetal Surgery

‘Impossible’ Millimeter Wave Sensor has Wide Potential

Capsule Captures First Look Inside Digestion in Healthy People

Developing Solutions that Utilize Waste Heat to Decarbonize Food Processing

Ultrafast Laser Pulses Could Lessen Data Storage Energy Needs

Researchers Discover Scalable Production Technique for Low-Calorie Sugar Substitute

Making Human Breast Milk Sugars in Plants

Using Wearable Devices for Diagnostics, Prevention and Therapeutics

BY THE

NUMBERS

Intellectual Property

208

Utility and Plant Applications Filed

109

Patents and Plant Certificates Issued

New Records of Invention

Commercialization

6

New Startup Licenses

14

Plant Variety Licenses

4

Utility Patent Licenses

1

Other Licenses

Researcher Support

335

Research Material Transfer Agreements

60

Plant Testing Agreements

27

New Startups Assisted

248

Data Transfers

7

Information and Copyright Transfers

OFFICE OF RESEARCH

OFFICE OF RESEARCH

Empowering researchers and innovators to reach beyond the expected.

The Office of Research advances research excellence across campus, catalyzes innovation and technology commercialization, performs strategic oversight of shared campus research core facilities and protects the welfare and rights of human and animal subjects.

Services Aimed at Impact

The Office of Research provides an array of services geared to help researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs succeed at every step of the process: securing funding, developing collaborative teams, complying with regulations, advancing new technologies toward commercialization and communicating insight to expand impact.

Climate Action for Equity Grants Advance Seven Inspiring Climate Change Solutions

Climate Action for Equity Grants advance 7 inspiring climate change solutions

UC Davis Joins U.S. Space Command’s Academic Engagement Enterprise

UC Davis becomes member of U.S. Space Command’s Academic Engagement Enterprise

Grand Challenges Highlight Major Wins in Tackling Wicked Problems

Grand Challenges highlight big wins In progress tackling wicked problems

SEED Funding Program Advances Research in Historically Underfunded Disciplines

Research Infrastructure Bolstered by $500K in Awards to Core Facilities

UC Noyce Initiative Pursues Collaborative Research Across Five UC Campuses

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