Discover the Top 8 Amazing Fun Facts About UC Davis You Never Knew!

1. Tomato Innovation Hub

When life gives you tomatoes, make ketchup: UC Davis houses the groundbreaking Greenhouse Tomato Center, the world's premier research facility focused on improving tomato productivity in greenhouses since 1961. This innovative hub has paved the way for modern greenhouse tomato farming, and even whipped up delectable new tomato breeds that are tasty, nourishing, and sustainably grown!
Source => magazine.ucdavis.edu

2. Video Game Brain-Boost

Who needs cheat codes when you've got science on your side: UC Davis is home to the Gazzaley Lab, where researchers dive into the world of cognitive neuroscience and explore the brain-boosting benefits of video games – not for extra lives or bonus points, but to potentially improve cognition and treat neurological disorders.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know the story of Sammy the Slug, UC Santa Cruz's mascot, involves an accidental transformation, a fight for slug freedom, and a journey to become the face of a prestigious university? Uncover the intriguing tale behind this unique mascot's rise to fame.

=> Fun Facts about Uc-Santa-Cruz

3. Top-Ranked Vet School

When the cows come home to roost and the pigs finally learn to fly: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has been ranked #1 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report three times in a row, boasting over 700 students, 35 specialty residencies, and an uber-funded hospital that treats more than 50,000 astounded furry, scaly, and feathered patients annually.
Source => vetmed.ucdavis.edu

4. Stinky Corpse Flower

Whoever said "wake up and smell the roses" clearly hadn't met Ted the Titan, UC Davis' own "corpse flower" sensation: This famous 16-year-old titan arum, a native of Sumatra, only blooms every two years at the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory and releases a powerful stench akin to rotting meat. Known to wilt noses and enchant eyes, Ted the Titan can be admired and sniffed in all his aromatic glory until 9 p.m., with the perfect time for a nose-scorching whiff being around 8:30 p.m. on the first day of bloom.
Source => davisenterprise.com

5. Brewmaster's University

Are you thirsty for knowledge or just the perfect pint? UC Davis has got you covered, from learning the ABCs to the IPA: Their Continuing and Professional Education program is a world-renowned source for brewing education, offering comprehensive courses for both beginners and experts. Many graduates hop into leadership roles in the brewing industry, making UC Davis the ultimate brewmaster's destination!
Source => cpe.ucdavis.edu

6. Eco-Friendly Chocolate Dreams

When Willy Wonka grows a conscience and starts caring about the environment, you get UC Davis: The university is known for its agricultural research and partnerships, including work with Mars Inc. to enhance sustainability of crops like cacao, tackle climate change, and control crop diseases, while also collaborating with local growers to optimize water usage and combat new threats in nursery and floral production.
Source => plantsciences.ucdavis.edu

7. Cycling Utopia

Step aside, Tour de France, there's a new cycling utopia in town: UC Davis boasts the "platinum" Bicycle Friendly University rating from The League of American Bicyclists, offering over 55 miles of bike pathways, dedicated lanes, a bike registration program, and tons of educational resources for all those two-wheel aficionados.
Source => taps.ucdavis.edu

8. Mars Mission Nurse

Houston, we have a nurse! When Mars fever has healthcare professionals trading stethoscopes for spacesuits, you know the Red Planet is serious business: UC Davis Health’s Alyssa Shannon will be joining NASA’s CHAPEA mission as the crew science officer, simulating the challenges and conditions of a human excursion to Mars for a whole year at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, starting in June.
Source => health.ucdavis.edu