Leading the way to a better tomorrow—it's who we are.

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The impact of biotech education and research at UC Davis spans 29 STEM disciplines. We're driving innovations in emerging and platform technologies essential for translational research across the life sciences.

Why UC Davis?

First, a brief history: Founded in 1908 as the University Farm, UC Davis began as the research and science-based instruction extension of UC Berkeley. By 1959, our mission had expanded beyond agriculture, and UC Davis had grown into a comprehensive top-tier research campus with unique strengths.

Our geographical footprint has developed over the years, with hubs of learning and research in Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Bodega Bay, Tulare, San Diego, San Francisco, Chile, China and more. Each location enhances our ability to serve the public through research, academics, and public service.

Today, talented UC Davis students, pioneering researchers and industry executives embrace interdisciplinary teamwork over competition. This collaborative spirit fosters a rich campus community that transforms big ideas into often lifesaving solutions in the biotechnology business.

UC Davis has a historical commitment to enhancing graduate learning in biotechnology, with the Biotechnology Program serving as the home to several successful interdisciplinary training programs since the 1990s. For example, UC Davis serves as a governing member of BioMADE, a national institute focused on enabling American biomanufacturing.

Most recently, the National Science Foundation awarded a multi-year grant to UC Davis to create a new research traineeship program, the Bioindustrial Engineering for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST), for graduate students to develop new technical and professional skills, preparing them for the rapidly expanding U.S. biotechnology market.

“I was delighted to present on cell and gene therapies for the Biotech Industry Immersion course. The students were bright and interested in learning the business aspects of these novel therapies. They had so many excellent questions about improving accessibility and affordability.”

— Professor Jan A. Nolta, director of UC Davis Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, scientific director of the UC Davis Good Manufacturing Practice Facility

UC Davis' focus on biotechnology is built on the principle that diverse perspectives and expertise are essential to solving complex global problems. We believe that the next generation of scientific and business leaders must be trained in both technical and professional skills to bring biotech innovations from the bench to the marketplace.

Biotech by the Numbers

Campus Collaborations

UC Davis College of Biological Sciences

Through immersive experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students, highly interdisciplinary graduate programs, and significant investments in research and teaching, the college provides a comprehensive education in foundational life sciences. The nationally ranked college is home to several interdisciplinary research centers, including The UC Davis Genome Center is a premier research facility dedicated to advancing genomics through innovative teaching, research, and service. The Genomics Center plays a pivotal role in driving scientific discovery and innovation, contributing to the university's mission of improving global health and sustainability. Visit website

UC Davis Biotechnology Program

Globally renowned for training tomorrow's biotech trailblazers, the UC Davis Biotechnology Program is directed by Dr. Denneal Jamison-McClung, who teaches the introductory Biotechnology Pre-Immersion MBA course. The UC Davis Biotechnology Program was founded on the principle that a diversity of perspectives and expertise is needed to solve complex global problems and that the next generation of scientific leaders need training in both technical and professional skills to facilitate the movement of biotech innovations from the bench to the marketplace. To help P.h.D. students develop an understanding of the “business of biotech," key players in its cross-disciplinary training environment span 29 STEM academic disciplines, industry partners, policy makers, educators and community members. Learn more.

UC Davis Health

UC Davis Health in Sacramento is home to an internationally renowned research faculty who are trailblazers in cutting-edge advancements in a wide variety of biotechnology related fields ranging from bioinformatics and biophotonics to pharmacology and biomedical engineering and a Center for Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer. Learn more

Mike and Renee Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Through multiple programs, workshops, academies, events and other collaborations, the Institute help researchers find a path to commercialization—and help students develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to solve our world’s challenging social and economic problems. The Institute's Big Bang! Business Competition invites biotech related new ventures to enter and awards specific prize money to the top human health startup. The Institute also selects Business Development Fellows, researchers from across UC Davis, including from biotech related fields, to take new business development and entrepreneurship classes alongside MBA students. Visit website

Big Bang! Business Competition

These challenging times call on us to create new solutions to our world's complex problems. The Big Bang! competition helps you to grow as an entrepreneur and as a leader. You'll find opportunities to connect with fellow innovators, learn and apply business concepts in educational workshops, build your team, grow your network—and compete for cash prizes. Human Health is one key sector that Big Bang! awards exclusive prize money to the top startup. Visit website

UC Davis Venture Catalyst

UC Davis Venture Catalyst supports the development of new UC Davis-associated ventures fueled by university research and technology. Venture Catalyst offers several innovative programs that bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercialization and provide entrepreneurs the resources, support, and connections needed to successfully form and grow technology-based startups. Venture Catalyst's Biotech Innovation Gallery (BIG) pre-accelerator program provides UC Davis-associated startups with targeted mentoring and training around intellectual property and regulatory strategy as well as coaching on business models, market analysis and investor pitches. Visit website