Congratulations to our 2024-25 Grants for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Recipients
Global Affairs offers Grants for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals as a part of a partnership with Grand Challenges, Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These team-focused grants fund global and multidisciplinary programs that enhance UC Davis’ connections to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A set of broad yet ambitious goals that address the universal need for sustainable development, the SDGs were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 goals—such as ending hunger, ensuring clean water, and combating climate change—provide a common global framework to achieve sustainable development across economic, social and environmental dimensions.
On campus and around the world, UC Davis faculty, students, and staff are addressing all 17 SDGs in various teaching, research, and service activities. The Grants for Advancing SDGs support work already underway and spark new partnerships. This year’s six selected projects contribute to 13 of the 17 SDGs—locally and globally—bringing together more than 10 faculty, researchers and artists from across UC Davis and collaborating communities, government organizations, and academic institutions worldwide.
2024-25 Grant Recipients
Jonathan London
Professor, Department of Human Ecology, Community and Regional Development
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Bapu Vaitla
Mayor
City of Davis
City of Davis
Advancing the SDGs through the City of Davis General Plan Update: Incorporating Community Health, Environmental Justice, and Equity Approach
United States (Americas: North America)
Their efforts aim to develop greater alignment for achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Kurt Kornbluth
Academic Director of Engineering Student Design Center, Director of D-Lab and Program for International Energy Technologies (PIET), and Adjunct Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering
College of Engineering
Irwin Donis-Gonzalez
Associate Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension in Postharvest Engineering, Co-Director of Postharvest Research and Extension Center, Co-Director UC Davis Coffee Center
College of Engineering
Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala
Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala
Appropriate Technology Power Wheelchair Design Workshop
Guatemala (Americas: Latin America)
Their efforts aim to support SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Maike Sonnewald
Assistant Professor, Computer Science
College of Engineering
CAMPOS Scholar
James Sanchirico
Professor, Environmental Science and Policy
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Dutkiewicz
Senior Research Scientist, Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States
Building Resilient Fisheries Under Climate Change: Using AI in Supporting Fisheries Management
United States (Americas: North America)
Their projects will advance SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Ga Young Chung
Assistant Professor, Asian American Studies
College of Letters and Science
Daniel Potter
Professor and Chair, Plant Sciences
Director of the UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Mao Lee
Herbal Medicine Practitioner and Community Healer
Judy Tretheway
Founder, Confluence Gardens & Teas in North Sacramento
Developing a Toolkit for Global Education through Hmong Herbs: Community-Engaged Education and Practice Involving Health Equity, Food Justice, and Cultural Diversity
United States (Hmong) (Americas: North America)
Their efforts will help advance SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 15: Life on Land.
Christina Cogdell
Professor, Design
College of Letters and Science
Valeria La Saponara
Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
College of Engineering
Danting Sun
Professor, Environmental Design
Yunnan Arts University
Yunnan Arts University, China
Don't Burn - BUILD! Prototyping Mycelium-Based Architecture from Local Agricultural Waste in Yunnan Province, China
China (Asia: East Asia)
Their project will help support SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Olukayode Jegede
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Toxicology and Cooperative Extension Specialist, Molecular Biosciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
Joseph Igbokwe
Lecturer, Biological Sciences
Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Nigeria
Assessing the Impact of Lack of Adequate Information and Pesticide Misuse on the Agricultural Productivity and Health of Women Farmers and their Households in Nigeria
Nigeria (Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa)
Their efforts aim to support SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 5: Gender Equality.