FY25 Impact Report

FY 2025 Impact Report

 

A woman in a navy blazer and white blouse smiles while standing indoors next to a large colorful scientific image featuring bright blue and orange cell-like structures. Another scientific image is visible in the background.
Vision neuroscientist Marie Burns, Ph.D.

 

SELECT RESEARCH DISCOVERIES

  • Identified how very subtle brain changes in the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s disease are related to a loss of precision in memory, which may lay the groundwork for understanding how we can better identify people at risk 
     
  • Revealed how the bewilderingly complex, microscale connectivity of a brain region enables it to accumulate and store information in short-term memory
     
  • Created a new model for how the hippocampus might play a role in both spatial navigation and memory
     
  • Discovered the fragility of transcriptional profiles of resident immune cells
     

GRANT EXPENDITURES 

Stacked bar graphic of CNS research spending by year (2020–21 to 2024–25), direct and indirect

 

Photo collage of diverse scientists and staff smiling, working in labs and community outreach

 

TRAINING EXCELLENCE & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

  • Provided interdisciplinary training programs for graduate students and postdocs through two NIH T32 grants: Learning, Memory and Plasticity Program (LaMP) and Vision Science Training: Cornea to Cortex
     
  • Hosted NeuroFest 10th Anniversary: A Decade of NeuroTech Innovation, welcoming over 350 community members of all ages to enjoy stimulating talks by UC Davis neuroscientists, a NeuroArt Contest, interactive booths and trainee-led NeuroPoster presentations 
     

  • Partnered with the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) to deliver two high-impact, neuroscience outreach events. NeuroFest at MOSAC engaged more than 1,100 attendees, significantly expanding our K–12 outreach across the greater Sacramento region
     

    A group photo of NeuroFest volunteers

     

PHILANTHROPY HIGHLIGHTS

  • During Give Day 2025, the Center for Neuroscience inspired 49 donors to contribute more than $114,000, an incredible show of support for advancing brain research and education
     
  • Motivated by personal experiences with neurological conditions, Carol and Tom McPherson have made a meaningful commitment through their estate plan. Their future gift will establish an endowment to support the Center’s highest priorities in research, education and outreach