The University of California, Davis is gearing up for a second campus-wide initiative, , to amplify the impact of its federally funded research. Building on the success of an initial “takeover” on , the “From Labs to Lives” campaign aims to highlight the vital role federal funding plays in advancements that benefit society, from healthcare and agriculture to technological innovation and economic growth.
The campaign comes at a critical juncture, as federally funded research faces ongoing threats. UC Davis’s Office of Strategic Communications is encouraging faculty, staff, and students to participate by showcasing their work and its real-world applications. Participation is designed to be simple: options include updating email signatures and Zoom backgrounds, sharing posts on social media using the hashtag #FromLabsToLives, and updating departmental websites.
A comprehensive toolkit, available to those with a UC Davis login, provides resources to facilitate participation. This includes customizable Canva templates, social media photo frames, Zoom backgrounds, and email signature designs. The toolkit also features animated GIFs and pre-designed social media posts, streamlining the process of demonstrating support.
The “From Labs to Lives” website serves as a central hub for the campaign, now featuring over 50 videos. These videos showcase “champions” – individuals who have directly benefited from UC Davis’s federally funded research. The university is actively soliciting nominations for future champion spotlights, seeking to expand the reach and impact of these personal testimonials.
Beyond the individual stories, the website provides a detailed breakdown of UC Davis’s research funding sources and offers information on how to join the “Stand Up For UC” advocacy campaign. A direct link to donate to research projects is also prominently featured, allowing supporters to contribute financially to ongoing initiatives.
The initial phase of the campaign, launched in , was spurred by concerns over potential cuts to federal research funding. According to UC Davis, the campaign has already garnered significant attention. Through the end of , the “From Labs to Lives” videos had been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube, and campaign web pages had received over 50,000 visits. Social media engagement reached approximately 2.5 million impressions, while related news coverage extended to an audience exceeding 1 billion people.
The economic impact of UC Davis’s interdisciplinary research is substantial. The university estimates that its research activity supports $2 billion in economic activity within California and nearly 10,000 jobs. UC Davis maintains 1,290 active patents, has spurred the creation of 119 startups in the last decade, and generates $15 million annually through licensing, royalties, and fees. The university’s overall economic impact on the state is estimated at $13.2 billion.
UC Davis emphasizes that its research isn’t confined to academic pursuits; it directly addresses pressing global challenges. Current research initiatives focus on emerging health threats, sustainable food systems for a growing global population, and groundbreaking discoveries in science and engineering. One example highlighted is the work of postdoctoral scholar Shu Ning, who, with funding from the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, is investigating the link between a newly identified oncogene and the development of malignant prostate cancer.
The “From Labs to Lives” campaign is a collaborative effort between the Office of Strategic Communications, the Office of Research, and Government and Community Relations. Dana Topousis, chief marketing and communications officer at UC Davis, underscored the pervasive influence of the university’s research, stating, “Whether they know it or not, people have been touched in some way by research at UC Davis – from the foods people eat, to the medical care they receive, to treatments for their pets and the health of our planet.”
The upcoming “takeover” represents not just a promotional effort, but a concerted attempt to demonstrate the tangible benefits of sustained investment in scientific inquiry. By amplifying the voices of researchers and those whose lives have been improved by their work, UC Davis hopes to reinforce the critical importance of federally funded research in driving innovation and addressing the challenges facing the nation and the world.
