The University of California, Davis, is marking the first anniversary of its From Labs to Lives campaign with a campuswide event that highlights the value of federally funded research across various disciplines. The campaign has featured UC Davis researchers explaining how federal support advances health, agriculture, and scientific understanding. It has also included stories from patients, animal caretakers, and entrepreneurs who have benefited from university research in partnership with the federal government.
“American leadership in medicine, science and engineering did not happen by accident – it happened because the federal government created a pact with academic institutions, like UC Davis, which are best equipped to carry out research in the public interest,” said Dana Topousis, the university’s chief marketing and communications officer. “We launched From Labs to Lives a year ago because the federal government began taking steps to weaken that partnership, which has been a vital feature of America’s global leadership for decades. We remain invested in communicating the critical impact that federally funded research has on lives and the economy.”
The Office of Strategic Communications at UC Davis started From Labs to Lives in February 2025 along with the Office of Research and Government and Community Relations. The campaign centers on testimonials from over 50 researchers working in fields such as Alzheimer’s disease, plant breeding, and quantum nanotechnologies.
During its first year, videos featuring UC Davis researchers have received nearly 12,000 views. Campaign web pages have had more than 68,000 views. Social media activity includes 323 posts generating 2.56 million impressions and over 84,000 engagements. Nearly 600 news stories about federally funded UC Davis research have been published or broadcast.
Other universities and organizations have run similar campaigns to engage stakeholders.
Earlier this month, Congress passed an appropriations package for 2026 that maintains funding for federally supported research at or just below previous levels. The legislation also keeps facilities and administrative rates unchanged for most agencies during this cycle. Despite this outcome, challenges regarding funding continue.
UC Davis faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate in the campaign’s second “takeover” by updating their email signatures or Zoom backgrounds or posting on social media.
A toolkit created by Strategic Communications provides resources such as Canva templates, photo frames for social media profiles, Zoom backgrounds, email signature designs and animated GIFs. These materials are available through Box for those with a UC Davis login so supporters can share their backing using #FromLabsToLives online.
Supporters both inside and outside UC Davis are invited to nominate “Champions”—individuals who have benefited from university research—using an online form.
UC Davis is classified as an R1: Doctoral University with “very high research activity,” placing it among top U.S. institutions based on research output and doctoral degrees awarded. In fields including agriculture and veterinary medicine—the university holds national recognition according to its official website. For the year ending June 30, 2025, federal sources provided 47% of $961 million in total research funding at UC Davis.
“UC Davis has some of the finest researchers in the world in their disciplines, and we want people to not only recognize the importance of their work but also realize it can’t be taken for granted,” said Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research. “We’ve seen that when people come together for a cause it can make a positive difference. That’s why From Labs to Lives remains a vital collaboration across UC Davis departments and campuses, and why we’re so gratified for the support we’ve received so far.”
UC Davis extends its efforts globally on issues such as climate change and food security, operates specialized facilities like Bodega Marine Laboratory for coastal studies, was originally founded as an extension focused on agriculture , serves societal needs through education and public service , is nationally ranked for sustainability , and is led by Chancellor Gary May .
