Faculty Honors

As leaders in their fields and internationally recognized for their vast expertise, College of Letters and Science faculty continually impress the world with the number of prestigious awards, fellowships and honors they receive. Their impact goes beyond the borders of UC Davis, resulting in inclusion in national academies, distinguished publications, world-renowned museums, performance halls and exhibitions. Still, they continue to support, educate and inspire the next generation of leaders, artists and thinkers, as evidenced by internal teaching and mentoring awards.

 

American and California flags flying outside a modern building at dawn

Univision Report Wins UC Davis Scholars Edward R. Murrow Award

College of Letters and Science

A team of UC Davis scholars and Univision journalists have won an Edward R. Murrow Award for their production, De No Sabo a Sí Sé, which tells the story of Spanish in California and the experiences of heritage speakers. Professor of Spanish Claudia Sánchez-Gutiérrez acted as a co-producer and faculty reviewer on the project.
Headshot portrait of a smiling person with glasses and gray hair on blue background

Dawn Sumner Elected as Fellow of the American Geophysical Union

Greg Watry

Dawn Sumner — a UC Davis geologist, planetary scientist and astrobiologist — is among the 53 scientists newly elected as fellows of the American Geophysical Union, or AGU, for outstanding achievements and contributions to earth and space science.  
Scientist in lab coat, goggles and purple gloves adjusting analytical instrument

Justin Siegel Honored with Inaugural UC Regents Innovation Award

Phil Wade

Justin Siegel has been recognized as one of the inaugural recipients of the UC Regents Innovation Awards, honoring researchers and innovators whose work is translating University of California research into technologies, companies and solutions with broad impact.
Smiling man wearing blue sweater and checked shirt, purple patterned background (photograph)

David E. Olson Among Finalists for the 2026 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

Blavatnik Family Foundation

The Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences today named 18 finalists for the 2026 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists. The awards recognize scientific advances made by researchers in the United States across the following disciplines: life sciences, chemical sciences, and physical sciences & engineering.
Woman with glasses smiling outside a modern art museum and sculpture while sunlight is filtered through structural beams, creating lines across the pavement.

Heghnar Watenpaugh on Preserving Cultural Heritage Worldwide

Maria Sestito

Professor Heghnar Watenpaugh discusses her experience teaching in Paris amidst controversy over museum staffing, security, ownership and restitution in France and the larger museum community. She will continue her own research at the Getty Museum this fall. 
Industrial metal pod sculpture split open, purple-lit cushioned interior on gallery floor

Beatriz Cortez Named 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellow

College of Letters and Science

Beatriz Cortez, a multidisciplinary artist and professor of Chicana/o/x studies at UC Davis, has been named a 2026 Joan Mitchell Fellow, which includes $60,000 in direct, unrestricted funding distributed over five years alongside learning, peer engagement and network-building opportunities.
Scattered pastel and clear decorative lightbulb ornaments on white background.

UC Davis Professor, Artist Speaks at Aspen Ideas Festival

College of Letters and Science

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.