Jonna Mazet, Vice Provost of Grand Challenges and 40-Year Aggie, Retiring in December

by Cindy Brown, UC Davis News
October 02, 2025

onna Mazet, a world-renowned epidemiologist, wildlife veterinarian, and expert in emerging zoonotic disease surveillance and capacity strengthening, will retire at the end of 2025 after 30 years of exemplary service to UC Davis. Mazet, the vice provost of Grand Challenges, came to UC Davis as an undergraduate to become a veterinarian. She earned four degrees over 10 years then joined the faculty in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which she helped to elevate as a leader in global health.

“It is impossible to capture in words the incredible things that Jonna has done for humanity, wildlife and UC Davis over her career,” said Mary Croughan, provost and executive vice chancellor. “She has been a visionary and transformative force on our campus and far beyond, improving the lives of countless people and animals through infectious disease prevention and response, wildlife medicine, and collaborative, creative research. Her incredible work continues through the hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral trainees she has taught and mentored, and the thousands of colleagues who have worked with and learned from her.”