Global Disease Biology

Welcome Message from the Department Chair:

Welcome to Global Disease Biology at UC Davis. The Global Disease Biology major and minor is a collaboration between the Department of Plant Pathology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the School of Medicine. This educational collaboration at the undergraduate level is unique in the world. Infectious, genetic, and environmental causes of disease cross disciplinary boundaries, yet traditionally disease research and education have occurred in many separate disciplines. However, there has been much recent interest in linking our understanding of plant, animal, and human diseases through education, research, and policy.

The Global Disease Biology major aims to bridge disciplinary gaps using an integrated approach to advance student understanding of the concept(s) of disease, the societal and personal impacts of past, present and future diseases, and the science behind disease discoveries, causes, evolution, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Our goal is that students motivated by interests in health will integrate concepts from multiple disciplines to learn how to collectively solve global disease and health problems using innovative approaches.

David Rizzo, PhD 
Plant Pathology Department Chair

New Student Checklist

Welcome to the GDB program, Incoming Student! We are so excited to have you. Please check out the incoming student checklist for information on orientation modules, your initial advising meeting, and some other important action items. Welcome to UC Davis!

NSCL

Student Testimonial

Global Disease Biology has allowed me to foster a holistic and comprehensive view of health and disease that I truly feel is one of the most vital perspectives in this ever-changing world and has prepared me for success in my future endeavors. From general education to specialized upper division courses and restricted electives the skills and knowledge I have gained will surely serve me well. I could not be more appreciative of the GDB community including my professors, advisors, and (of course) my peers who have all been incredible teachers, mentors, and friends along this journey.

— Austin Dalmasso (GDB Graduate, Class of 2020)
 

Global Disease Biology has given me the opportunity to explore different healthcare paths and look at the world around me with a holistic view. In addition,  I am passionate about community health and the intersections science and technology and my major and minor combined have really allowed me to explore that interest. If you are new to GDB, like I was coming into Davis, my tip is definitely reach out to the GDB team. You will find that everyone is very nice and informative and their passion for the major was what made Global Disease Biology an easy choice for me!

— Hoang-Vi Vu (GDB Graduate, Class of 2021)