UC Davis Health

02/26/2026

Our CuRe Trial just hit a new major milestone! The research team safely performed the world's first spina bifida treatment that combines fetal surgery with stem cells, offering new hope for children with the lifelong condition.

CuRe is the world’s first in-utero stem cell therapy for spina bifida, and the only trial aimed at improving the outcomes for the children over fetal surgery alone. The findings of phase 1 were just published in The Lancet.

“It paves the way for new treatment options for children with birth defects. The future is exciting for cell and gene therapy before birth," said Diana Farmer, the CuRe Trial’s principal investigator and chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery.

Spina bifida affects 1,500 to 2,000 children in the United States every year. While fetal surgery has greatly improved outcomes since it was introduced more than a decade ago, many children still struggle with mobility and have other long-term complications. The CuRe Trial is exploring whether stem cells can add regenerative power to surgery, potentially improving mobility and quality of life.

Learn more about the findings: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/first-ever-in-utero-stem-cell-therapy-for-fetal-spina-bifida-repair-is-safe-study-finds/2026/02

Image descriptions:
1: Diana Farmer, M.D. (right), Emily (left) are standing and looking at a baby in Diana's arms. Emily and Robbie were the first CuRe trial patients.
2: Jeff Maginnis (left) and Michelle Johnson (right) smile at each other while holding baby Tobi in the UC Davis NICU. Michelle and Tobi were the second CuRe trial patients.
3: Jared (left) and Lindsey (right) are walking with their son, Nixon, holding their hands. Lindsey and Nixon were the sixth CuRe trial patients.
4: Diana Farmer, M.D., during surgery is surrounded by medical professionals wearing blue surgical gowns and caps. Diana is in the middle and has a blue surgical cap that says "CuRe."

02/25/2026

"I felt seen." That's how 11-year-old Benjamin Awalt described his experience taking part in autism research at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Benjamin, who loves theater and designing costumes in his spare time, is a participant in the Autism Phenome Project. This federally-funded study seeks to identify different subtypes of autism. The goal is to understand the different developmental trajectories of autistic children.

"Our hope is to apply what we learn to help predict outcomes and support autistic individuals as they grow up,” explained Christine Wu Nordahl, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences who directs the long-running project.

Studies like the Autism Phenome Project highlight the value of building a strong scientific foundation to improve identification, intervention and more personalized care.

Read more about Benjamin's story: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/i-feel-seen-one-family-shares-their-autism-research-experience/2026/02



Image descriptions:
1: A group of people, including Benjamin Awalt and MIND Institute researchers, stands and smiles at the bottom of a staircase.
2: Benjamin Awalt plays with green blocks at a table while an adult sits mostly out of frame.
3: Benjamin Awalt sits in the MIND Institute wearing his handmade Big Bird costume.

02/25/2026

Did you know our new Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences, Mark Rosenblatt, is also an internationally recognized clinician-scientist?

Rosenblatt leads a group of scientists that investigates the mechanisms of corneal peripheral nerve regeneration following injury and the use of nanoengineered biomaterials for stem cell delivery to the ocular surface.

“UC Davis is a leader in neuroscience and also in regenerative medicine. My laboratory is looking at neural regeneration,” he said.

NIH funding powers research like Rosenblatt's. To learn more about how federally funded research solves real-world problems, visit ucdavis.edu/labs-to-lives.

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Video description: Mark Rosenblatt stands inside, wearing a grey suit, speaking to the camera. Drone footage of Aggie Square and footage of patients during an eye exam are shown. At the end of the video, an end screen shows a "Labs to Lives" logo above a UC Davis logo, and text that reads: "Real People. Real Research. Real Impact."

02/25/2026

As weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy continue to gain attention, our experts took a look at the different types of GLP-1 drugs and whether they truly support weight loss.

Learn about potential side effects and how, when paired with a holistic approach, GLP-1s may help you reach your goals: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/could-glp-1-drugs-be-the-key-to-your-weight-loss-learn-if-they-really-can-help-people-with-obesity/2026/02

Image description: A plate of food sits on a table. A close-up shows a person holding a GLP-1 injection.

02/24/2026

We're excited to share a medical first that will bring new hope to our congenital heart patients born with a single ventricle.

Daniel Cortez, adult congenital cardiologist and director of pediatric electrophysiology, successfully implanted the first known atrial leadless pacemakers in two patients with different types of Fontan circulation. Fontan circulation is a surgically created heart pathway for children born with complex congenital heart disease and only one functioning ventricle.

These tiny, wire-free devices are placed inside the heart through a vein in the leg and may offer a safer, longer-lasting option for patients who often face limited pacing choices after multiple surgeries.

Learn more about the major breakthrough: https://health.ucdavis.edu/psychiatry/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-performs-first-atrial-leadless-pacemaker-implant-in-fontan-patients/2026/02

Image description: A hand is shown holding a pacemaker. The small, oval-shaped medical device has a metallic silver body with a clear plastic top section that houses internal components.

02/24/2026

Last week, Mike Condrin, interim CEO, and Kimmie Bleichner-Jones, interim COO, presented Senior ER Trauma Technician Sue Nowack with a Point of Pride (POP) Award! The award recognizes employees who live our values of kindness, trust and inclusion, and highlights our patients’ voices, acknowledging that every day, acts of empathy and compassion, both large and small, take place across our health system.

From Sue’s nomination:

“I wanted to nominate Sue Nowack for her exceptional performance and dedication as a Sr. ER Trauma Tech. Her commitment to patient care, attention to detail, great work ethic and ability to remain calm and act quickly under pressure exemplify the qualities that make her an invaluable member of our team.

It was a busy day in the emergency room, with a packed waiting area and numerous patients needing triage. Sue demonstrated outstanding initiative and diligence. Upon returning from her lunch break, she began reviewing the waiting room and noticed a patient who had been waiting over an hour to be triaged.

When Sue attempted to call the patient, she realized the patient was not answering but was brought in by EMS and given her age, she thought that the patient could not have gone far.

Rather than dismissing the situation, Sue immediately took action. She reached out to the nurse who had initially interacted with the patient to obtain a detailed description of the patient and used this information to search for the patient. Sue’s persistence paid off when she located the patient who, unfortunately, was unresponsive. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Sue quickly sought assistance from a nearby nurse.

Together, they discovered the patient had a concerning pulse, and Sue ensured the patient was immediately brought back for care. Sue’s vigilance and quick thinking were instrumental in identifying this patient and getting her brought back to receive the emergency care the patient needed.

Her ability to assess the situation, seek assistance and act decisively underscores her professionalism and dedication to patient safety. She represents the intelligence, work ethic, and compassion required in this challenging role.

It is a privilege to work alongside Sue, and I am proud to call her a colleague. She truly embodies the values and standards of our team, and her contributions deserve recognition.”

Congratulations, Sue, on this well-deserved POP Award!

Image descriptions:
1: Mike Condrin (left), Sue Nowack (middle) and Kimmie Bleichner-Jones (right) pose and smile in front of a blue banner. Mike is holding a POP Award certificate and Sue is holding a glass trophy.

2: A large group of people pose and smile in front of a large piece of art and an orange wall. Sue Nowack holds her POP Award certificate.

02/23/2026

Living a heart-healthy lifestyle can be achieved by modifying your daily habits. Here are some tips from our cardiologists for this .

Video description: Several cardiologists are wearing red outfits and standing indoors at Aggie Square. They speak directly to the camera while sharing their tips.

02/20/2026

While training for Mount Everest Base Camp, Heather Donaldson thought she was out of shape. Instead, she learned she had Supraventricular Tachycardia or SVT.

For years, she ignored her symptoms: tunnel vision, numbness in her fingers and toes and extreme fatigue. When the symptoms began appearing at rest, she knew something was wrong.

SVT is a type of irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmia. Common symptoms include heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Heather, an advanced practice supervisor for our Heart and Vascular Center, never stopped climbing. After a curative ablation procedure, she reached her goal: Mount Everest Base Camp, and she continues to climb mountains today.

Video description: Heather Donaldson stands outside a building, in front of a tree. A montage of photos shows Heather backpacking, in the hospital as she undergoes a procedure for cardiovascular disease and at Mount Everest Base Camp.

02/20/2026

At UC Davis, Professor Laura Marcu leads federally funded research in biophotonics, where light is used to better diagnose and treat disease. A key focus of her work is Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging, or FLIM, a technology that detects subtle molecular changes in tissue without dyes and in real time. FLIM helps surgeons clearly see the difference between healthy and cancerous tissue during operations and helps cardiologists spot dangerous artery plaques before they cause heart attacks.

This research directly improves patient care by helping doctors make faster, safer, and more precise decisions in the operating room. Continued federal funding keeps lifesaving biophotonic technologies such as FLIM moving from the lab to the clinic, trains the next generation of medical innovators, and ensures patients benefit from advances that can extend and improve lives.

Learn more about Marcu's NIH-funded research, visit ucdav.is/FromLabs2Lives.

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Image description: Headshot of Laura Marcu against a dark blue background with white text that reads, "Losing federal funding wouldn’t just slow down research. It will disrupt the entire pipeline from discovery to clinical impact" and the From Labs to Lives logo.

02/20/2026

Pancreatic cancer research is getting a boost at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, thanks to a $2 million grant.

We'll be part of a new national coalition of researchers who will work to uncover early warning signs of some of the deadliest cancers, with funding from the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. The focus includes pancreatic, ovarian and esophageal cancers, all of which have poor long-term survival rates.

“This grant gives us a powerful opportunity to move pancreatic cancer research forward,” said Julie Sutcliffe, co-director for the UC Davis Center of Molecular and Genomic Imaging, and a professor of medicine and biomedical engineering.

Learn more about the grant and what it means for the future of pancreatic cancer research:

UC Davis received a $2 million research grant to detect pancreatic cancer earlier, giving patients hope and better chances for survival.

02/19/2026

We're excited to share that our echocardiography lab has earned renewed accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)!

This national recognition highlights our team’s dedication to providing safe, accurate and high-quality heart imaging, including transthoracic, transesophageal and stress echocardiograms.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team — their skill, dedication and teamwork are the reason we continue to meet these rigorous standards. Their commitment to excellence ensures that every patient receives safe, accurate and compassionate heart imaging," said Thomas Smith, director of the adult echocardiography laboratory and chief of cardiovascular medicine.

We’re proud of our experts whose skill and compassion help ensure every patient receives exceptional heart care.

Read more about what this means for our patients: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-medical-center-echocardiography-lab-earns-reaccreditation/2026/02

Image description: A health care provider examining a patient with a stethoscope.

02/19/2026

Can a virtual reality eye exam help identify early signs of neurological disease?

Our researchers are bringing VR headsets into local retirement communities to provide vision screenings outside traditional clinics. The interactive program tests visual acuity, color and shape recognition, and pupil response, and sends results directly to each patient’s ophthalmologist. The technology makes eye care more accessible for older adults and offers a convenient way to monitor vision changes.

“Early diagnosis or early detection will give us the power to make lifestyle modifications or open the doors to clinical trials or new treatments,” said Yin Allison Liu, a neuro-ophthalmologist at the UC Davis Eye Center. “The ultimate goal is to make early detection accessible for everyone, so that their eye and brain conditions can be detected and addressed before major issues occur.”

Learn more: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/virtual-reality-exam-checks-eye-health-and-screens-for-early-signs-of-alzheimers/2026/02

Video description: A UC Davis Health "Driving Discovery" logo opens the video. A researcher explains how new virtual reality-based eye exams can make vision testing easier. Footage shows several close-ups of eyes and exam images. An older adult uses the VR equipment with a group of researchers watching from a tablet and interacting with the patient.