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Advancing Human Health

We improve population health and healthcare through the development of advanced technologies, devices for personalized health monitoring and health informatics.

As we face the global health challenges of a growing and aging population, our ability to design bioinspired, bioresponsive, and biologically integrated devices and therapeutics is evolving rapidly. From wearable monitors to advanced imaging technologies, from pandemic responses to regenerative medicine, we learn from human diversity to design treatments that improve the health of all. 

Connecting Humans and Machines

Through the new UC Davis Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine and projects funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation, mechanical and aerospace engineering faculty members Sanjay Joshi, Jonathon Schofield and Steve Robinson are pushing the boundaries of the developing field of neuroengineering and finding new ways for humans and machines to work together.

A challenge in neuroengineering is that every human and every situation is different, so devices need to be adaptable. Signals the body produces can change with time, and the body can also change after using new devices like the ones Joshi, Schofield and Robinson are developing.

Human and a supernumerary robotic arm

Research in Action

UC Davis Researchers to Harness the Cell’s Messaging System

The power of a pill to alleviate a headache or fight against cancer is undeniable. Yet, there may be a more potent substance inside us waiting to be unlocked: extracellular vesicles, or EVs, a mixture of nanoparticles released by our cells to carry messages across the body.

Ye Chen-Izu Receives NHLBI Outstanding Investigator Award of $7.75M for Heart Research

The NHLBI offers the award as extended assistance on research programs to principal investigators who have proven their ability to make significant contributions in heart, lung, blood or sleep research.

Priya Shah Takes an Engineering Approach to Solving Zika Virus 

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Priya Shah, Ph.D. '11, is deciphering the behavior of the Zika virus on animal cells to delve into the possibilities for mitigating the sickness in humans.  

Engineering a better world calls for solutions of a different caliber, demanding innovation across disciplines using a design-centric approach.

We employ and develop intelligent systems and automation, tools at the nano-and-micro- scales and technologies for the greater good that will revolutionize energy systems, strengthen climate resilience, advance human health and transform mobility to bring a sustainable, healthier and more resilient world within reach.