Dense, dark wildfire smoke looms over a sprawling suburban neighborhood at dusk.
California Wildfires

WHAT NOW, California? From loss to recovery, every experience counts.

Explore Our Wildfire Research
Take the WHAT-NOW CA Survey
EVENTS
Pilot Projects
Our Community Research
Our Scientists
Close-up cow head graphic with blue paint-splash background

2026 Pilot Project Awards

Is your beef really hormone-free? Could wildfire smoke change your genes? EHSC's 2026 Pilot Project Awards back researchers chasing answers to the environmental health questions that affect us all, every day. Discover this year's funded projects.
Explore Our Pilot Projects

Deborah Bennett, PhD on Detoxing From Microplastics

Exposure scientist Deborah Bennett, PhD shares ten practical tips to limit daily microplastic exposure through simple lifestyle swaps.

Close-up fingertip with specks of tiny red microplastics, blurred dirt background.

Irva Hertz-Picciotto, PhD on Parents’ Work Exposures & Autism Risk

UC Davis expert Irva Hertz-Piciotto discusses parental job exposures and their potential link to autism.

Baby feet

Watch Our Documentary "Waking Up to Wildfires"

EHSC’s Emmy-nominated PBS documentary "Waking Up to Wildfires" follows firefighters, families, and community advocates coping in the aftermath of the climate-fueled 2017 Northern California wildfires.

Waking Up to Wildfires Square Module

How Does Air Pollution Affect the Brain?

Dr. Pamela Lein and Dr. Anthony Wexler explain what we know so far about the effect air pollution has on the brain's health and where neurotoxicology research is headed.

Motor Neuron Under Microscope
Black-and-white photo of a curly-haired child gazing at a rainy window

Annual Retreat | October 20, 2026 Burning Questions & Complex Exposures

Mark your calendars! The EHSC Annual Retreat returns on October 20, 2026, bringing together leading minds for a dynamic day of discovery and dialogue. This year's retreat "Burning Questions, Complex Exposures: Translating the Future of Environmental Health" will dive deep into the science shaping our world — from the exposome and wildfire impacts to microplastics and cutting-edge data integration, with even more exciting topics on the horizon. Whether you're a longtime member or newly joining the EHSC community, this is an unmissable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and stay at the forefront of environmental health science. Save the date and stay tuned — more details are coming soon!

Research Rooted in Communities

Wondering what California communities are most worried about — and what scientists are doing about it? EHSC's Community Research Priorities is your window into the issues that matter most to the people living on the front lines of environmental health.

Central Valley Community

Get More News, Research & Event Information

Interested in staying up-to-date with our latest developments? Stay connected with the Environmental Health Sciences Center through the latest news, events, and social media updates from UC Davis.
👉 Follow the Conversation—Explore News, Events & More!

Upcoming Events

Aggiefeed