Oil refinery in the San Francisco Bay Area

Our Community Research Priorities

UCD partners with California communities to identify opportunities for research to address urgent environmental health problems.

The UC Davis Environmental Health Science Center (EHSC) supports translational environmental health research in collaboration with communities impacted by environmental health issues across the state, with a particular focus on California's Central Valley and regions impacted by wildfires. One of the ways EHSC centers those most directly impacted by environmental health issues is through its Community Research Priorities, which synthesize high priority, policy-relevant research needs identified by our community partners.

2025 Community Research Priorities

Map of air pollution

Air

California communities face serious air threats—from ultrafine particles to wildfire smoke—demanding research-driven monitoring, regulation, and protections to safeguard public health.

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Palm trees ablaze during the 2025 LA Fires

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather and disasters threaten health. Communities seek research on policy impacts, CCS safety, cap-and-trade harms, and lithium extraction risks.

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Pesticides and agriculture

Pesticides

California communities are calling for stronger pesticide protections—asking for research to curb exposures, enforce safeguards, and ensure safer, healthier alternatives for the future.

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Aerial Google Map of the Kettleman City Hazardous Waste Facility

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste sites can burden already polluted communities. Research is needed on health impacts, exposure pathways, setbacks, and disparities near facilities.

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California Aqueduct flowing past blossoming trees in the Central Valley

Water

California communities need research to protect water—from HABs, microplastics, PFAS, drought, and failing systems—ensuring safe, sustainable, equitable access statewide.

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Clare Cannon setting up an air monitor and talking to a little girl in Kettleman City, California

Research Methods

Community members want research using methods that reveal real-world health risks—risk assessments, policy impact analysis, exposomics, and community-focused tools.

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If you would like to develop a proposal on one of these topics and/or be connected to one of the community organizations we work with for possible research collaboration, please email the Community Engagement Core’s Assistant Director, Shosha Capps (sacapps@ucdavis.edu).

Tags

Pilot Projects Community Research Priorities