In Memoriam – Konstantinos Papamichael

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Konstantinos “Kosta” Papamichael, a visionary researcher, educator, and leader in the field of daylighting design and founder of the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis.

How Does the Human Brain Help Us Navigate?

Researchers at the Center for Mind and Brain have a rare opportunity to partner with epilepsy patients in an experiment that will help us understand how the brain navigates us through the world from the neurons up.

The Year in Books

L&S Magazine has been featuring books by authors from the College of Letters and Science for nearly two years. We’ve tried to organize the selections into relevant themes, addressing timely issues our society faces and celebrating the unique characteristics that make up humanity. These books remind us why we do what we do — not just in higher education but in the world at large. They challenge us, make us think, give us hope and inspire us. 

Research Classes Boost Confidence and Belonging for STEM Students, UC Davis Study Finds

At UC Davis, Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs, provide an alternative path to real-world research. They allow students to conduct authentic scientific research in the classroom. A new study appearing in the Journal of Chemical Education shows that CURE classes are an effective way of bolstering student confidence and sense of belonging in the sciences.

Inside the Minds of Three Student Filmmakers

A short film about a serial bike thief slinking around the streets of Davis doesn’t seamlessly transition into meditations on how technology may hinder modern life, but no two films at the 2026 Film Festival at UC Davis could be thought of as alike, save for their resolve to serve as recognizable representations of our present-day world.

UC Davis Professor, Artist Speaks at Aspen Ideas Festival

Beatriz Cortez, a multidisciplinary artist and professor of Chicana/o/x studies at UC Davis, recently spoke with UC Berkeley Professor Ronald Rael at Aspen Ideas Festival 2026. Their panel, Ancient Futures: from Mud to Machine, was moderated by Nora Lawrence, executive director of Storm King Art Center in New York.

July Media Mentions

Every day faculty and students from the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis are highlighted in the news media, having their research featured and commenting on the most pressing issues facing the world. Check out some of these news media highlights from the past month.