Additional Research Centers and Resources Adult Fitness ProgramUC Davis Sports Medicine Program The UC Davis Adult Fitness Program is designed to help individuals improve their health and physical fitness to prevent disease and improve quality of life. Our team of exercise specialists includes sports medicine physicians, exercise physiologists and nutritionists trained by UC Davis Sports Medicine, Exercise Biology and Nutrition Faculty in exercise testing and prescription and sports nutrition. This program exists to provide a public health service to the university and surrounding communities; to provide clinical learning opportunities for UC Davis students; to provide opportunities to study the benefit of exercise and proper nutrition in the prevention of disease and assist individuals in evaluating their progress through discounted repeat testing and evaluation. California Agricultural Experiment StationCollege of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences The California Agricultural Experiment Station has branches on the Davis, Riverside and Berkeley campuses. The Davis branch includes approximately 500 faculty and CE Specialists in more than 30 departments and units in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the College of Biological Sciences and the School of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to laboratory facilities, it has approximately 3,000 acres devoted to agricultural research in the areas of experimental crops, orchards and animal facilities. The Experiment Station facilitates research in agricultural production, food processing, nutrition, animal care and disease prevention, consumer sciences and community development and environmental quality, with emphasis on resource conservation and management, water and soil pollution and regional planning. Center for Child and Family StudiesWest House of Center for Child and Family Studies The Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS) houses the Early Childhood Laboratory (ECL), a research, teaching and demonstration laboratory of the Division of Human Development and Family Studies in the Department of Human and Community Development. At the ECL, students enrolled in human development courses learn observational techniques and participate with peers, children, parents and professionals in developmental programs for infants through preschoolers. Students study theories of development in a naturalistic setting, linking theory to principles of interaction and developing a recognition and respect for individual differences. Selected undergraduate students participate in faculty and graduate student research at the laboratory. The CCFS also houses several research and outreach facilities, such as the Eichhorn Family House, and a computer lab for Human and Community Development students. Center for Developmental NutritionTB 33 The Center for Developmental Nutrition supports predoctoral and postdoctoral research in nutrition and development. The laboratory promotes collaborative research on the study of how nutrients influence the development of individuals at multiple life stages. Center for NeuroscienceEdward G. Jones, Director The Center for Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary unit that serves as the focal point for the study of the neurosciences at UC Davis. Faculty affiliated with the Center are from 13 departments and sections. The center sponsors a seminar series, conferences and symposia, distributes a quarterly newsletter, provides research space for center members and supports graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and distinguished visitors. Faculty and students are engaged in the study of brain mechanisms responsible for normal human cognitive and perceptual processes and in the study of fundamental aspects of nerve cell function and development. A core group of cognitive neuroscientists uses various imaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques to study both the normal and lesioned cerebral cortex to understand how the normal brain controls behavior. Other faculty members use either animal models to understand how information is processed in the brain or simple systems to study the fundamental biology of nerve function and development and disorders affecting them. Health Sciences Research LaboratoriesThe Health Sciences Research Laboratories are biological science facilities with research staff and assistance for faculty, staff and students. Animal Surgery Laboratory Buildings H and J—Center for Laboratory Animal Science This unit is a surgical research facility in compliance with NIH, AAALAC and USDA standards. Instruction in surgical techniques is available including multiple training stations for larger groups. Surgical instruments, drapes, anesthesia machines, scrub suits, and equipment for monitoring vital signs and physiologic parameters are available. Staff are available to perform or assist with both survival and non-survival surgical procedures depending on the investigator's requirements. Staff are also available for post-operative care, data and sample collection as required, and assistance with preparation of the IACUC Protocol for Animal Care and Use. Human Performance Laboratory164 Hickey Gym; (530) 752-0965; (530) 754-8675 The Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) was founded in 1963 and has a long history of basic and applied research and outreach in exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology. The HPL has been involved in a variety of research areas since its inception including metabolism, heat stress, fluid balance, injury prevention, body composition and health benefits of physical activity and fitness. The HPL is represented by full-time and adjunct faculty members with varying research backgrounds and scientific interests. The HPL facilities allow measurement of a comprehensive list of human performance characteristics. Investigators have access to advanced data acquisition systems for evaluation in the areas of biomechanics, motor learning, environmental physiology, cardiopulmonary and thermoregulatory physiology, human nutrition and exercise and muscle metabolism. Specific technologies and capabilities include a biochemistry lab, extensive computing facilities, high speed 3-D video motion analysis, ground reaction force measurement, ultrasound imaging, a temperature and humidity controlled environmental chamber and systems for measurement of oxygen consumption, body composition and psychomotor performance. The HPL meets the needs of today's creative researcher and has the capacity to assist in answering tomorrows research questions. Humanities InstituteGeorges Van Den Abbeele, Director The Davis Humanities Institute organizes interdisciplinary research seminars open to faculty and graduate students and promotes creative exchanges among the humanities, social sciences and environmental sciences. Its fellowship program enables campus fellows and distinguished visitors to participate in year-long seminars on designated themes. The institute also sponsors distinguished visiting lecturers, develops conferences and colloquia, supports interdisciplinary research clusters and a graduate student research assistantship program, co-sponsors lectures with other departments, produces a calendar of events and publishes a newsletter, Humanities at Davis. Mann Laboratory103 Mann Laboratory Plant scientists in the Louis K. Mann Laboratory study the physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and molecular biology of pre-harvest and harvested fruits, ornamentals, vegetables and seeds to improve and maintain their quality and safety during harvest, storage, processing, distribution and marketing. The six faculty housed in this facility are members of the Department of Plant Sciences and one USDA/ARS research scientist. Research and extension activities are supported by students, postdoctoral researchers and visiting scientists. Research ranges from the basic molecular biology to practical storage technologies for horticultural crops, including whole and lightly processed products. Results are of interest to other researchers in the plant sciences and food science as well as to growers, shippers, transportation and logistics providers, marketers and consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables. The facility is equipped with 18 controlled-temperature rooms, eight research laboratories, specialized postharvest analytical equipment and a small conference room. Molecular Structure Facility8 Hutchison Hall The Molecular Structure Facility (MSF) provides state-of-the-art instrumentation for the structural elucidation and identification of biological and organic molecules. Protein/proteome analysis is a particular focal point of the facility. The MSF keeps abreast of the latest technological advances in proteomics including mass spectrometers and liquid chromatography systems such as MALDI-TOF, ESI-TOF, TOF-TOF, and 2-D LC/MS/MS and also provides advanced biotechnological instrumentation for protein sequencing, amino acid analysis, 2D-gel electrophoresis and DNA synthesis. As a core instrumentation and biomolecular resource facility, the MSF supports various research programs across the campus and is open to off campus researchers as well. Natural Reserve SystemVirginia Boucher The Davis campus administers six reserves that are available for teaching and research.
The university maintains over 35 reserves throughout the state, many of which are available for teaching and research. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance FacilityMedical Sciences 1D The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility provides access to state-of-the-art NMR instrumentation for spectroscopy and imaging to researchers in the biological, medical and physical sciences. At present, the facility operates six spectrometers of varying purposes and capabilities. Two horizontal magnet bore spectrometers are used for imaging and in vivo spectroscopy of small animals and materials. Two vertical bore spectrometers are used primarily for solution studies of biomolecules, with an additional vertical bore instrument for in vitro studies of perfused organs. One spectrometer is used for spectroscopy of solids. All of the spectrometers are multi-nuclear, and a large variety of high resolution, surface and imaging coils are available for use. The facility also has workstations for off-line data processing. Three full-time staff members are available to assist campus researchers in utilizing the instrumentation. Social Science Data Service105 Social Sciences and Humanities Building The Social Science Data Service (SSDS) is a unit of the Institute of Governmental Affairs (IGA). SSDS provides consulting, computing and specialized support services to faculty and graduate students involved in quantitative social science research on the UC Davis campus. SSDS staff provides consulting on a wide range of software used by social scientists and assists with questions regarding the use of SSDS computers, as well as statistical and data-related programming. SSDS manages a UNIX system that provides a platform for quantitative social science computing. Specialized support is available for extramurally funded research projects managed by IGA. Student Farm(530) 752-7645; studentfarm@ucdavis.edu; http://studentfarm.ucdavis.edu The Student Farm offers students a wide range of educational and research opportunities in sustainable agriculture through numerous internship offerings, formal courses (e.g., in organic crop production, sustainable agriculture and environmental education) and research efforts. Opportunities include working in several staff-supervised hands-on projects such as year-round production and marketing of organic vegetables, on-farm composting, tractor operations and environmental education tours for school children. In addition, students may conduct field and greenhouse experiments in various aspects of sustainable agriculture or other individual projects. The farm is located on the west edge of the campus core, near the Rec Pool, and is open to all students, regardless of major or background. UC Agricultural Issues Center161 Hunt Hall The UC Agricultural Issues Center is a university-wide research and outreach unit that draws on expertise from many disciplines. The center focuses on California's agricultural issues related to science and technology, international trade and markets, agribusiness trends, rural-urban issues, natural resources and the environment, human resources and agricultural policy. UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity (UC Davis Herbarium))1026 Sciences Laboratory Building, Department of Plant Sciences The UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity provides information on the names, uses, toxicity and distribution of plants. Anyone can visit the herbarium to use its dried plant collections (300,000 specimens), botanical library and microscopes, but a phone call is suggested to make sure staff will be available to assist you. The collections are used most commonly to check plant identifications, but they are also used by campus faculty and students for teaching and research in plant systematics and ecology. Herbarium staff answer hundreds of public service requests each year (especially identification of weeds and poisonous plants). Collections include vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and algae. The majority of these specimens are angiosperms (flowering plants), mainly from California, but the collections are worldwide in scope, with strong holdings from North America, Ecuador, Baja California and regions with Mediterranean climate regimes. The herbarium is well known for its collection of weeds and poisonous plants, although it also has world-class collections of grasses, oaks and spurges. The Herbarium's support group, the Davis Botanical Society, hosts a wide range of botanical events, workshops and trips each year. Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL)DNA Laboratory, Armstrong Tract The laboratory is recognized for its pioneering research on animal blood groups and biochemical polymorphisms. Current research activities include studies of genetics, genomic and forensic research of domestic and wildlife animal species, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, dogs, cats, wild felids and canids, bears, birds and primates. Activities include DNA genotyping and mitochondria sequencing for applications in animal identification, parentage verification, forensic analyses, population structure and genetic diversity. Projects include, among others, mapping of phenotypic traits, coat color and disease genes in horse, dogs and cats; identification of causative mutations; development and validation of microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism markers for several species; development of robust diagnostic and genotyping DNA tests; population and breed relationship studies through allele frequency and mitochondria sequence analyses; the genetic structure of wild populations; development of software for DNA genotyping and implementation of electronic data interchange for reporting of laboratory results. VGL is also involved in high profile criminal cases both nationally and internationally through their Forensic Unit. Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC)UC Davis VMTRC VMTRC is a clinical teaching and research center within the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The center offers a forum for teaching, research and service programs for D.V.M. students, M.P.V.M. students, graduate students, residents, university faculty and visiting researchers interested in food animal production medicine. VMTRC programs emphasize herd health medicine, epidemiology and preventive medicine, production management, agricultural economics, environmental protection, food safety/defense, animal health and well-being, and renewable energy. X-Ray Crystallographic FacilityJames C. Fettinger, Ph.D. The X-Ray Crystallographic Facility, located in the Department of Chemistry, provides crystal structure determinations for researchers. Single crystals from all branches of chemistry are studied. The facility is equipped with two X-ray diffractometers, a Bruker SMART1000 and a Siemens P4 equipped with a rotating Cu anode source and possesses a stereo-microscope. Access to a Bruker ApexII diffractometer is also available. All instruments possess variable low temperature systems. Consultation and collaboration on a variety of single crystal related projects can be arranged. |
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Updated: June 19, 2008 7:28 AM