Selina Wang Named Faculty Director of the UC Davis Olive Center

For nearly 20 years, the Olive Center at the University of California, Davis, has worked to improve the olive and olive oil industry through research, education and outreach. The center, known for its work in sustainable olive growing and improving olive oil quality, has named chemist Selina Wang as its faculty director to guide the next phase of research and innovation for the state’s growing olive industry.

Wang is a professor of Cooperative Extension with the Department of Food Science and Technology and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, or UC ANR. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UC Santa Cruz and her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from UC Davis. Wang joined the Olive Center as a postdoctoral researcher in 2010 and served as research director from 2011-2022, where she led the center’s research efforts in olive oil quality, purity and standardization, managed research collaborations and developed several extension courses.

"It’s an honor to lead the UC Davis Olive Center into its next chapter,” Wang said. “We will strengthen partnerships across the olive industry, advance interdisciplinary and applied research that supports a resilient and competitive sector, and expand education and outreach that brings together students, researchers, growers and producers.”

Pressing ideas forward

Her research focuses on food quality and safety, sustainable production, and fruit and vegetable processing. From 2009 to 2011, she led studies through the Olive Center testing imported and domestic extra virgin olive oils sold nationwide, work that helped establish state regulations and new testing methods.

“My work already spans research, education and extension, and the Olive Center allows me to reach even more people and create greater impact,” Wang said. “In my lab, we currently have multiple research projects on olives and olive oil. One focuses the key quality parameters of extra virgin olive oil that could inform future standards, and another addresses various practical applications for byproducts. With the Olive Center, we can expand to have more collaborative projects domestically and internationally.”

Her research excellence and leadership have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards including the 2024 Timothy L. Mounts award by the American Oil Chemists’ Society, and the 2021 Faculty Stewardship Award from the UC Davis Foundation.

Extending knowledge 

Wang was the co-editor of "Olive Production Manual for Oil," a data-based guide to olive oil production in California. Published in 2024 by UC ANR, it covers topics including orchard establishment, pest management, harvesting, processing and quality standards for growers of all scales.

The Olive Center will celebrate a big milestone in 2028 — 20 years of connecting with communities, hosting educational events, teaching students and sharing knowledge about olives and olive oil.

“We will continue the courses that industry members know the Olive Center for — such as the olive oil quality short courses and the Master Milling course — while expanding new offerings to meet the industry’s evolving needs,” said Wang.

Dean Ashley M. Stokes of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences said Wang brings a clear vision for the Olive Center’s future and a strong commitment to research and outreach for this important industry.

“Professor Wang’s experience and skills make her uniquely suited to support the mission and goals of the Olive Center,” said Dean Stokes. “Wang is respected throughout her field of work for her dedication to outreach and research and is well known for her commitment to interdisciplinary efforts across multiple departments and fields of study. She is a trusted leader in her field with extensive connections within the olive industry and beyond, and we are excited for her to take the lead on this important work.”

As the new faculty director, Wang succeeds Javier Fernandez-Salvador, the former Olive Center executive director, who left UC Davis at the end of 2025.