Meet the eight faculty members who comprise the newest class of Chancellor’s Fellows, given to early career academics doing exemplary work in their fields.
The program, created in 2000, awards $25,000 in unrestricted philanthropic funding to support recipient's research or scholarly work. Chancellor’s Fellows awards are supported by private contributions to the UC Davis Annual Fund, Parents Fund and Davis Chancellor's Club Fund.
The 2024-2025 Chancellor's Fellows are:
Randy Carney
Associate professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
His research is at the cutting-edge of cancer treatment and diagnostics. He explores how extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles released by all living cells to transmit important biomolecular messages, can be used for early cancer detection and innovative nanotechnology drug platforms. Carney and his team also develop novel Raman spectroscopy tools to investigate the roles extracellular vesicles play in cancer.
“Carney is on a clear trajectory to be an academic star,” said Steven C. George, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. “He is a true ‘triple threat’ demonstrating remarkable skills in scholarship, teaching and mentoring and service. In all areas, he displays immense energy and creativity, which ultimately result in impressive impact.”
Megan Dennis
Associate professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine
Dennis, who joined UC Davis in 2015, has become a leader in studying the genetic factors affecting the brain, particularly in conditions like autism. Her research aims to identify hidden genetic changes linked to diseases, improving diagnoses and treatments.
In addition to her research, Dennis is a dedicated educator and mentor, having taught numerous courses and mentored over 50 students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers. She has also worked to increase access to STEM education for students from diverse backgrounds, drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation college student. Dennis has earned several prestigious awards, including the Sloan Fellowship and NIH Director’s New Innovator Award.
As a Chancellor’s Fellow, Dennis will continue advancing human genetics research and inspiring students, supported by UC Davis institutions like the MIND Institute and Genome Center. She remains committed to making science accessible to all.
Daniel Karp
His research seeks novel solutions for harmonizing food production with biodiversity and conservation. For example, his work has helped farmers determine when and how conserving nature could not only benefit wildlife but also reduce pests and improve crop yields. He was also the first to show that removing habitat around farms to discourage wildlife is counterproductive to eliminating foodborne pathogens in fresh produce.
A prolific and respected ecologist, teacher and mentor, colleagues praise his research output, creativity, intellect, and professionalism.
“Dr. Karp is a devoted and inspirational colleague, a brilliant researcher, educator, mentor, and community member at every level,” said Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Kassandra Ori-McKenney
Associate professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences
Ori-McKenney studies tube-like proteins called microtubules that help form a ‘skeleton’ and are involved in transport inside cells. Her research seeks to understand the structure and function of microtubules within neural cells and to investigate how issues with these structures affect neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. By using methods that range from biochemical analyses to cellular assays, microscopy and experimental studies in fruit flies, Ori-McKenney aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the microtubule cytoskeleton in disease, including traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s.
“Dr Ori-McKenney is a rising star carrying out paradigm-shifting research in the area of cell biology,” wrote Professor Frédéric Chédin, chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, in nominating her for the award.
Alexis Patterson Williams
Associate professor, School of Education
She is a science education scholar whose research goal is to create new pathways for diverse learners to engage with and excel in science classrooms. Central to her work is the desire to confront hierarchical classroom dynamics so that learning opportunities for historically marginalized students can be improved. Her recent research examines creating space for student emotions in the science classroom, transformative justice pedagogy, and power dynamics in scientific, community-based monitoring projects. She is also exploring justice-oriented teaching and the impact of family input on STEM career choices.
“Dr. Patterson Williams’s research fosters meaningful change that actively supports teachers, students, and broader educational communities." said Gloria M. Rodriguez, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs. “Her commitment to ‘walking the talk’ and applying these principles in her own teaching enhances UC Davis classrooms and equips learners to address complex scientific challenges.”
Crystal Rogers
Associate professor, Anatomy, Physiology & Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine
She is a developmental biologist whose research focuses on neural crest cells and their role in embryonic development. She studies the mechanisms that drive formation of these cells across different species, using chicks, quail, peafowl and axolotls as animal models. Her neural crest cells studies contribute to our understanding of craniofacial development and birth defects.
“She is one of the shining lights of cell, molecular and developmental biology and her contributions will continue to inspire us for generations to come.” George Lanford, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Syracuse University.
Claudia Sánchez-Gutiérrez
Associate professor, Spanish and Portuguese, College of Letters and Science
She is a first-rate scientist in applied linguistics, according to colleagues, specializing in vocabulary and among many things, second-language acquisition.
In her data-based approach to language study, she focuses on how students develop language proficiency, how textbooks structure student’s learning, and how instructors can become more successful in the language classroom. Colleagues praise the visibility that her ground-breaking research is bringing to UC Davis across several disciplines.
“Her scholarly productivity and high standards of academic excellence have exceeded expectations for her rank and step,” said Dean Estella Atekwana in her nomination letter.
Lauren Young
Associate professor, Political Science, College of Letters and Science
Lauren Young studies how violence and coercion influence political behavior, including the psychology of people’s political beliefs and action. Much of her work is on Zimbabwe, where the ruling political party relies on repression to maintain power. Her work also extends to coercive politics in Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Her book and journal articles have won multiple awards. She also leads two major grant-funded projects that seek to improve ethics in violence research.
“Professor Young has become an intellectual leader on the important topic of transparency and ethics in empirical research on violence,” wrote Estella Atekwana, dean of the College of Letters and Science. “She is an outstanding scholar, dedicated teacher, and committed member of the university community."