After a pandemic pause, UC Davis students are catalyzing a rebuild of Chem-E-Car from the ground up — gel-powered engines, team chemistry and all. With lessons learned and eyes on next year's prize, they are engineering progress, one chemical reaction at a time.
Thirteen student teams pitched their innovative start-up ideas — from accessible dishware to an on-the-go centrifuge and an app that identifies invasive fire-spreading plant species — to investors at PLASMA Demo Day, the culmination of the Student Startup Center's capstone 12-week accelerator program.
Biomedical engineering senior Tiffany Chan received a Hanson Family Award for research on free student-faculty lunches that foster community in STEM. Her work blends empathy with evidence to shape a more inclusive academic culture — one lunch (and data set) at a time.
UC Davis Ph.D. student Declan Kopper is using high-temperature optical simulations to unlock materials for more efficient photovoltaic energy conversion. His research lights the way for thermophotovoltaic innovation.
As researchers continue to shrink the size of mechanical devices, controlling the Casimir force has become the first priority. At UC Davis, Calum Shelden, a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and computer engineering, is beginning groundbreaking experimentation to test the theories.
From helping manufacture computer parts in CNM2 to tapping and marching to Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club" as a member of the UC Davis Marching Band, third-year electrical and computer engineering major David Elgourt is hitting every beat.
Bohan Li, who will graduate with dual degrees in computer science and applied physics this year, has received the College of Engineering's highest honor for a graduating senior. Li is honored for his efforts in theoretical research and his dedication to furthering STEM education.
These annual awards celebrate the doctoral students who have made outstanding contributions to research, service, safety, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Computer science and engineering student Siena Marois wants to advance ocean conservation with next-level robotics. In pursuit of that goal, she recently participated in STEAMSEAS, an exclusive opportunity for undergraduates to gain practical knowledge during a six-day cruise on an offshore research vessel.
Five UC Davis students are among the finalists in the NASA-sponsored 2025 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition. Their project? RoboBees, a swarm of autonomous drones that mimics natural pollination to help modernize capabilities in agriculture.
