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Big Ideas Symposium

Big Ideas Symposium

Friday, October 18, 2019  |  8:15 a.m. - Noon  |  UC Davis Conference Center

Join Chancellor Gary May and university thought leaders for a half-day interactive symposium featuring campaign Big Ideas—these are forward-thinking, interdisciplinary programs and projects that build upon the strengths of the university to positively impact the world. Topic areas include sustainability, food, water, student experience, entrepreneurship, animal and human health, and more.

This free event invites participants to engage with thought leaders as they present their ideas to the university community with a chance to vote for your favorite Big Idea. Breakfast and refreshments will be served. Space is limited!

Symposium Sessions

Session I 

9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Choose One:

  • Center for Precision Medicine
    Champion: Fredrick Meyers, M.D., M.A.C.P.
    This center reimagines health care as personalized, predictive, preventative and participatory—empowering patients and communities as partners in their own wellness and training the next generation of data-fluent health professionals.

Session II

10:10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Choose One:

  • Aggie Launch
    Champions: Kevin Blue, Ph.D. and Marcie Kirk-Holland
    Career readiness in a complex world requires a fresh approach. Aggie Launch takes today’s students beyond the classroom through targeted mentorship with alumni and employers committed to preparing tomorrow’s leaders.
     
  • Aggie Square
    Champion: Robert Segar
    Aggie Square will create an innovation ecosystem where university, community and industry converge, harnessing the power of UC Davis’ partners to build healthier, more resilient communities in Sacramento and beyond.
     
  • Smart Farm
    Champion: David Slaughter, Ph.D.
    Transforming agriculture through innovations in more resilient crops and more responsible resource use, Smart Farm will create the farm of the future and prepare forward-thinking industry leaders.
     
  • Veterinary Medical Center
    Champion: Michael Lairmore, DVM
    This comprehensive center will be a nationwide leader in providing compassionate, patient-centered care, where veterinarians work with cutting-edge technology to deliver accurate diagnoses and the most effective treatments.

Session III

10:50 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Choose One:


Session IV

11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Choose One:

  • Center for Advancing Pain Relief
    Champion: Scott Fishman, M.D.
    The center unites multidisciplinary researchers, educators and clinicians with policymakers to develop personalized, integrated and comprehensive pain management therapies and provide policy guidance for California and the nation.
     
  • Global Education for All
    Champion: Joanna Regulska, Ph.D.
    Committed to educating the next generation of change makers, UC Davis is working towards Global Education for All—a goal aiming to provide 100% of our students with global learning opportunities that change their lives and our world.
     
  • Global Human Rights
    Champion: Keith David Watenpaugh, Ph.D.
    This initiative will apply UC Davis’ research resources and commitment to public service to critical human rights challenges—from injustices facing California’s undocumented population to the global refugee crisis.
     
  • One Climate Initiative
    Champion: Benjamin Houlton, Ph.D.
    From carbon farming innovations to training tomorrow’s leaders, One Climate unites UC Davis sustainability experts with industry, government and community partners to guide climate policy and scale solutions to global climate challenges. 

Register Now  

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