Graduate Student

Beyond the Lab: A Ph.D. Journey Through Culture, Language and Ecology

Ph.D. student Gillian Bergmann spent six months in Angers, France, conducting hands-on microbial ecology research while building global collaborations—and her confidence in French. From sequencing DNA in the lab to sharing baguettes with colleagues, the experience deepened her scientific skills and sense of belonging across cultures.

Language, Culture and Science: Documenting Dairy Farming in California

Spending the summer documenting animal management practices on California dairy farms was both eye-opening and rewarding for Ph.D. student Christian Bernal-Córdoba. From navigating cultural and language barriers to witnessing the real-world impact of antimicrobial use, this experience deepened Christian's research and reinforced the power of lived expertise in shaping sustainable solutions.

Stingless Honey Bee Conservation and Eco-cultural Health in Colombia

Alejandra Cano, a Ph.D. candidate in Native American Studies, participated in the UC Davis Grad Grants program in Colombia to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with stingless bee conservation. Collaborating with the Embera community, she helped revitalize eco-cultural practices and gained valuable insights into decolonial environmental approaches and cross-cultural collaboration.

Graduate Student Opportunities

Global Learning Hub Programs

The Global Learning Hub offers a variety of programming that is accessible to graduate and professional students on campus, abroad and virtually.

Global Impact Fellows

The Global Impact Fellows Program is a one-year commitment to leading or assisting a student-led initiative that addresses a global+local issue where students can hone project management, leadership, and specific technical skills in an environment where they have real autonomy.