Our Research by the Numbers
4,000+
Publications 2020-2025
40,000+
Citations 2020-2025
$400M+
Extramural 2020-2025
24+
Active Clinical Trials
Advancing Animal, Human, and Environmental Health
The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine advances research, graduate education, and training that improve animal, human, and environmental health. As one of the nation’s top-ranked veterinary schools, we unite scientific discovery with the preparation of future leaders in biomedical, translational, and population health sciences.
Our faculty span the full spectrum of biological inquiry, from cancer biology and infectious disease to ecosystem and wildlife health. With more than 250 clinical and basic science investigators, we foster collaborative research environments that bridge disciplines, institutions, and species, translating discovery into solutions while training the next generation of scientists and clinician-investigators.
Animal Health & Welfare
Advancing diagnostics, treatments, and preventive care strengthens the health and well-being of companion animals, livestock, and wildlife while safeguarding food systems and communities. Faculty conduct research that improves clinical outcomes for pets, enhances herd and flock health, and protects wildlife populations through innovative disease prevention and surveillance strategies. This work is advanced through leading centers including the Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH), the Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH), the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, the Center for Equine Health, the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), and the California Animal Disease Monitoring System (CADMS). Together, these programs accelerate clinical innovation, expand diagnostic and surveillance capacity, and advance solutions that protect animal health, agricultural sustainability, and ecosystem resilience.
Biomedical and Translational
Research in cancer biology, genetics, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and immunology drives discoveries that improve the lives of animals and people alike. Our faculty study cancers such as lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and melanoma; use advanced genomic tools to uncover the causes of inherited and complex diseases; and investigate neurological disorders including epilepsy and neurodegeneration, advancing precision diagnostics and innovative therapies across species. Working in close partnership with the School of Medicine, the College of Engineering, and the College of Biological Sciences, and through faculty membership in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, our investigators turn scientific breakthroughs into real‑world clinical solutions. The Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials (VCCT) and the Comparative Cancer Center further accelerate this work by connecting laboratory discoveries to patient care and expanding access to cutting-edge clinical trials that benefit both companion animals and human health.
Health and the Environment
Research in environmental health advances solutions that protect animals, people, and ecosystems from chemical and environmental threats. Faculty investigate how toxicants, pollutants, and ecosystem stressors affect biological systems across species, applying expertise in molecular and developmental toxicology, neurotoxicology, and wildlife health to improve environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Programs such as the CounterACT Center of Excellence lead efforts to reduce harm from chemical exposures and emerging threats, while many SVM investigators contribute to campus-wide initiatives including the Center for Health and the Environment and the Environmental Health Sciences Center. Together, these collaborations connect laboratory discoveries to public health action, environmental stewardship, and science-based policy solutions.
One Health
Our One Health approach advances integrated solutions that protect animal, human, and environmental health worldwide. Faculty address critical challenges including zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and global pandemic preparedness through interdisciplinary research and international partnerships. The One Health Institute (OHI) serves as a global hub for this work, supporting centers, programs, and laboratories dedicated to emerging infectious diseases, disease modeling, wildlife health, and planetary health. Units including the Institute for Pandemic Insights, the California Raptor Center, the OHI Laboratory, the UC Global Health Institute Center for Planetary Health, and the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center work collectively to strengthen health systems, expand surveillance capacity, and improve outcomes across species and ecosystems.
Graduate Education and Research Training
Graduate education is central to the School’s research mission. We are home to four interdisciplinary Graduate Groups: Epidemiology; Immunology; Integrative Pathobiology; and the Master of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM), as well as a Designated Emphasis in Host-Microbe Interaction. These research-intensive programs prepare scientists to address complex health challenges across species, systems, and populations while advancing discovery at the interface of animal, human, and environmental health.
The School’s NIH-supported training programs provide a structured pathway for developing clinician-scientists and biomedical researchers:
- Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR, T35)
- Animal Models of Infectious Diseases (AMID, T32)
- Comparative Oncology Program (T32)
- Advanced Training in Environmental Health Sciences (T32)
- Veterinary Scientist Training Program (VSTP, T32)
- Comparative Medical Scientist Training Program (CMSTP, T32)
- Mentoring and Skills Development Training in One Health Program (MSDT-One Health, R25)
- Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR, R38)
