UC Davis Tradition of Medical Discovery and Contribution to Science
UC Davis Health research encompasses basic-science, translational and clinical studies, with an emphasis on collaboration and on improving health for individuals, communities and populations.
- Of the nation's 1,400-plus cancer centers, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of 47 designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
- The UC Davis MIND Institute includes one of 15 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers funded through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
- The UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center has earned 30 years of continuous support from the National Institute on Aging.
- The UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures has 36 clinical trials using stem cells ongoing, planned or completed as of early 2017.
- The UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center-supported investigators have published 1,300+ papers in 500+ journals that have been cited 34,000 times.
- Research areas at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis include chronic disease management, health technology, pain management, population health and quality improvement.
- Units such as the UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities, UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, and UC Davis Center for Health and Technology help drive our work to improve health for all.
Studies Underway at UC Davis
Nearly 800 studies are underway at UC Davis in translational and clinical research areas, funded by federal and state governments, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, private foundations and philanthropy. Some clinical research strengths include:
- The National Institutes of Health
- Shriners Hospitals for Children - Northern California
- VA Northern California Health Care System
- David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Private industry, venture capitalists and regional entrepreneurs
- California departments of Public Health and Health Care Services
- The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI), California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) and Alameda County Care Alliance
- Colleges, schools and centers at UC Davis and other UC entities and academic institutions nationwide
- Philanthropic foundations and individuals
- 1966 UC Davis School of Medicineis established.
- 1985 UC Davis performs Northern California’s first combined Kidney and Pancreas Transplant.
- 1986 UC Davis physicists develop an air-pollution monitoring device using a particle accelerator.
- 1989 UC Davis is named a national center for AIDS research. The campus leads the nation in the number of Ph.D.s awarded in the biological sciences.
- 1994 The UC Davis Women's Cardiovascular Medicine Program is established in June.
- 1994 UC Davis professors establish the West Coast Center for Palliative Care Education and Research.
- 2001 UC Davis researchers discover Fragile-X associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS).
- 2002 UC Davis leads the nation for agriculture and environment publications.
- 2002 First vaccine for cat AIDS is approved for veterinary use. FIV was isolated by UC Davis researchers in 1986.
- 2004 UC Davis opens Center for Mind and Brain, a multidisciplinary center dedicate to understanding mind-brain connections.
- 2004 UC Davis pioneers artificial cornea to restore sight.
- 2005 Division of Biological Sciences becomes College of Biological Sciences.
- 2005 Research funding passes a half billion dollars.
- 2006 The UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center is established.
- 2006 Researchers identify heart-healthy compound in chocolate.
- 2007 UC Davis wins national center for avian flu research.
- 2010 UC Davis performs world’s second larynx transplant.
- 2010: UC Davis performs California’s first minimally-invasive, robotic-assisted, multi-arterial bypass surgery.
- 2012: UC Davis researchers co-create Early Start Denver program for children with autism.
- 2012: UC Davis Stem Cell researchers awarded $53 million grant.
- 2013: Stem Cell agency funds UC Davis tissue-engineering research.
- 2014: Stem Cell findings may offer answers for bladder defects and disease.
- 2015: Two UC Davis Scientists speak at World Stem Cell Summit.
- 2015: New York Blood Center partners with UC Davis to produce more viable stem cell therapies.
- 2016: UC Davis researchers receive grant to develop cure for Angelman Syndrome.
- 2017: Study quantifying oral antibiotic overprescribing in outpatient settings receives Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national award.