UC Davis has a large concentration of air quality experts, including these CA&ES scientists

Qi Zhang
"The atmosphere is like a big reactor that's always cooking stuff," says Qi Zhang, a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology.

Zhang and colleagues study the chemistry and physical properties of aerosols—atmospheric particulate matter and aerial droplets—that cause poor air quality and affect human health. Her research has taken her all over the world to analyze air samples with sophisticated equipment.

Helping farmers balance agricultural and environmental needs

Since its founding more than a century ago, UC Davis has been a catalyst for social change, agricultural progress, and environmental stewardship. We need look no further than the rice fields of Northern California to see a marvelous example of how an industry has evolved, with the university’s help, to further its productivity and to help wildlife.

Farms with more variety of crops attract fewer insect pests

Left to its own defenses, a farm field growing a variety of plants tends to attract fewer insect pests than a field growing just one type of crop. While scientists and farmers have noted that difference for years, the reasons behind it have been poorly understood.

Cahill gift of land will benefit the UC Davis Natural Reserve System

For the last 25 years, Tom and Ginny Cahill have owned and enjoyed a beautiful slice of blue oak woodlands and unspoiled riparian forest nestled along the south side of Putah Creek near Lake Berryessa. Now they’re giving it away.

The 196-acre parcel will become the Cahill Riparian Preserve, part of the UC Davis Natural Reserve System. It will be managed by the university in coordination with the new Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

Understanding adaption to altitude, climate could be applied to other crops

With the onset of climate change and changes in irrigation, adapting food crops to grow in diverse environments could help feed the world. Now University of California, Davis, scientists are leading a major new project, funded by the National Science Foundation with $4.1 million over five years, to study genetic adaptation to different environments in maize.

Edward Silva and other CA&ES students featured in UC Davis "One of a Kind" campaign.

Find out more here

Foundation supports researchers to help expand food availability and sustainable agriculture practices.

Amélie Gaudin, assistant professor of agroecology, has been awarded the 2016 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Award from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR).

The award helps fund the work of new faculty and their teams of students and scholars to conduct research with the potential to expand food availability and encourage sustainable agriculture practices. 

Thanks to the Putah Creek Nestbox Highway, there are more songbirds in Northern California.

The Putah Creek Nestbox Highway research project is one of the most comprehensive songbird nestbox studies in the west U.S. 

Student Farm director receives namesake award from Sustainable Agriculture Education Association

Mark Van Horn, director of the UC Davis Student Farm, was awarded the inaugural Mark Van Horn On-Farm Educator Award, established by the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association and presented during the association’s recent biennial conference. 

Technology developed at UC Davis is giving growers tools to help irrigate more effectively.

UC Davis biology and agricultural engineering professor Shrini Upadhyaya and his team designed a sensor that attaches to a single leaf to measure temperature, light, wind, and humidity to help optimize plant irrigation. (Diane Nelson | UC Davis)

The key to effective irrigation is giving crops the right amount of water in the right place at the right time. Easier said than done, but new technology developed at UC Davis is giving growers a convenient way to find that sweet spot.