How Research Funding Solves Real-World Problems
From Labs to Lives
How Research Funding Solves Real-World Problems
UC Davis is a powerhouse for breakthroughs and impact. Our interdisciplinary research plays a vital role in building the region’s economy. Our research improves the quality of life of residents and contributes to America’s global leadership in technology and innovation. Through collaboration between our top-ranked hospital and veterinary school, as well as our science and engineering discoveries, our research directly improves American lives.
Here, our researchers describe the impact of their work, and the consequences if federal support for this cutting-edge research were reduced or eliminated.
The Power of Federal Research Investments at UC Davis
Our Researchers
Leigh Ann Simmons
Professor, The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
Director, Health Equity Across the Lifespan (HEAL) Lab
Health Equity
Ramsey Badawi
Professor, Department of Radiology
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Children’s Healthcare
Stuart Cohen
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases
Director, Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control
Professor
Surgical Infections
John Conway, Ph.D.
Department of Physics and Astronomy
High-Energy Particle Physics
Theanne Griffith, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology
Pain Management in Cancer Patients
Koen Van Rompay, Ph.D.
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
School of Veterinary Medicine
California National Primate Research Center
Infectious Disease
The Power of Federal Research Investments
Breakthroughs Enabled by Federal Research Funding
HEALTH
- Brain-computer interface that translates brain signals into speech
- Biophotonic technologies to treat tumors, sequence DNA and more
- Landmark surgery to treat spina bifida
- Highly accurate, low-cost scanners to improve cancer detection
- New model to understand Alzheimer’s disease and test treatments
AGRICULTURE
- Identifying traits in global food staples rice and wheat to improve yield
- Using AI and bioinformatics to meet food demand
- Advance indoor farming techniques to improve productivity and minimize pathogens
TECHNOLOGY
- Computers that function more like the human brain to better address unpredictable events
- Novel optoelectronic approaches to improve the energy efficiency of AI hardware
- Study bird flight to improve the next generation of uncrewed aerial systems, or drones
Driving Economic Growth
- Supports $2 billion in California economic activity and nearly 10,000 jobs
- 1,290 active patents
- 119 startups launched in last decade
- $15 million in annual licensing, royalties and fees
Preparing the Future Workforce
Federal funding also plays a critical role in strategic preparations for the next generation of leaders, innovators and scientists, offering workforce and career training in:
- Software security
- Advanced cell and gene therapy manufacturing
- Neuroengineering
- Plant breeding
A Cost-Efficient Model
The longstanding federal-university partnership leverages UC Davis’ expertise and state-of-the-art resources to generate new technologies and well-paying jobs, proving to be the most productive research model in the world.
Key facts on Facility and Administration (F&A) costs:
- Current F&A rates do not cover all university costs
- F&A costs are not incidental—they are critical to conducting research
- F&A costs are essential to ensure safety in clinical and animal research
For more on understanding F&A costs and addressing common myths, visit our understanding indirect costs page.