Latest News

“Fungi to save the world”

Mycelium, the white filament-like root structure of mushrooms, might be an important building block of a more sustainable world. By growing mycelium with a biomass—anything from coffee grounds to leftover agricultural waste—researchers at UC Davis are creating sustainable structures that can be turned into everything from biodegradable plastics and circuit boards to filters that remove harmful antibiotic and pesticide residues from water.

Faculty Position Announcement: Assistant Professor of Food Engineering

As part of UC Davis’ commitment to hire leading research faculty dedicated to the success of historically underrepresented and marginalized student communities and address the needs of our increasingly diverse state and student population, the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis, announces an Assistant Professor faculty position in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Lab-Grown Meat Focus of UC Davis Study and USDA Grant

For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding research on how to grow animal meat from harvested cells in a laboratory. UC Davis will play a significant role in new USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture $10 million grant to advance the field of cellular agriculture by evaluating what structures are needed to grow cells and developing sensors that measure what conditions are needed for that growth.

UC Davis Researchers Develop Ice Cube That Doesn’t Melt or Grow Mold

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed a new type of cooling cube that could revolutionize how food is kept cold and shipped fresh without relying on ice or traditional cooling packs.

These plastic-free, “jelly ice cubes” do not melt, are compostable and anti-microbial, and prevent cross-contamination.

Agriculture Goes Digital

The UC Davis Digital Agriculture Laboratory sits at the intersection of agriculture and digital technology. Led by biological and agricultural engineering assistant professor Alireza Pourreza, the lab works directly with growers to develop and deploy technology that gives them the information they need to better understand their plants and navigate our changing climate.

UC Davis to Lead Groundwater and Irrigated Agriculture Sustainability Study

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have been awarded a $10 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to find ways to sustain irrigated agriculture while improving groundwater quantity and quality in the Southwest under a changing climate.

Engineers invent machine to shake up UC Davis’ COVID-19 testing

UC Davis engineers have invented shaking and inversion machines that are a critical part of the UC Davis Genome Center’s award-winning asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. These machines, designed and built in just six weeks, help treat saliva samples so they can be tested for the virus.

M.S. student Ivan Wongso wins first place in IFT research competition

Biological systems engineering M.S. student Ivan Wongso has earned first place for his research presentation at the 2021 Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology (FIRST) event, held by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) during its annual meeting. He won over three other finalists under the Quality Management Division.

Ph.D. students Chang Chen and Ke Wang recognized in graduate paper competition

UC Davis biological systems engineers Chang Chen and Ke Wang placed first and third, respectively, in the 2021 graduate student paper competition hosted by the Association of Overseas Chinese Agricultural, Biological and Food Engineers (AOCABFE, also known as AOC). The competition is held every year at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual Meeting.