Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of Face-to-Face, Chancellor May talks to Siobhan Brady, a professor in the Department of Plant Biology and the Genome Center, and Megan Dennis, an associate professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, who are leading scientific research—from human genetics and plant biology to innovative studies that help us better understand the contributors to neurocognitive disorders such as autism. They share their inspiring research journeys, highlight the importance of mentorship and strategic career planning in academia, and discuss how they balance family and career while paving the way for future female scientists.
00:58 Strategies for success in academia and research
2:45 Human genetics research and navigating as a first-gen researcher
3:48 Researching contributors to autism spectrum disorder
4:27 Plant biologist navigating systems biology and extract information from cell types and how plants respond to environmental stressors
5:50 Navigating motherhood in early research career
6:17 How to navigate complex genetic conditions using zebrafish as a model system
8:00 Why making plants more resilient in changing environments and food systems
9:26 Human genome projects and why it’s critical in research today
10:23 What’s at stake if federal funding is cut
12:56 Hot Seat: creative pursuits, mountain vs. beach time, academic accomplishments
14:42 Completed reference genome
15:51 Working with collaborators in Ethiopia, find microbes that can interfere with an interaction or an infection of sorghum with parasitic plants to support small-scale farm holders
19:45 Chancellor May and maintaining work-life balance, prioritizing family and health
20:18 Approach to handling funding cuts and programs that help underserved students in the sciences
23:15 Advice on how to help your kids on their path to think about college and how to apply
About From Labs to Lives
In our From Labs to Lives series, UC Davis researchers describe the impact of their work and the consequences if federal funding for medical research were reduced or eliminated. Our research strengthens the U.S. economy and drives innovation in science and medicine. By finding new treatments and preventing illness, our work saves lives. More at: https://www.ucdavis.edu/research/labs-to-lives?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=chancellor_fltl
About UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May
Gary S. May became UC Davis’ seventh chancellor on Aug. 1, 2017. An accomplished scholar and engineer, May came to UC Davis from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Follow Chancellor May
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chancellormay.bsky.social
Facebook: facebook.com/ChancellorMay
Instagram: instagram.com/chancellor.may
Twitter/X: https://x.com/chancellor_may
More at: https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/chancellor/gary-s-may?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=chancellor_fltl
In this episode of Face-to-Face, Chancellor May talks to Siobhan Brady, a professor in the Department of Plant Biology and the Genome Center, and Megan Dennis, an associate professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, who are leading scientific research—from human genetics and plant biology to innovative studies that help us better understand the contributors to neurocognitive disorders such as autism. They share their inspiring research journeys, highlight the importance of mentorship and strategic career planning in academia, and discuss how they balance family and career while paving the way for future female scientists.
00:58 Strategies for success in academia and research
2:45 Human genetics research and navigating as a first-gen researcher
3:48 Researching contributors to autism spectrum disorder
4:27 Plant biologist navigating systems biology and extract information from cell types and how plants respond to environmental stressors
5:50 Navigating motherhood in early research career
6:17 How to navigate complex genetic conditions using zebrafish as a model system
8:00 Why making plants more resilient in changing environments and food systems
9:26 Human genome projects and why it’s critical in research today
10:23 What’s at stake if federal funding is cut
12:56 Hot Seat: creative pursuits, mountain vs. beach time, academic accomplishments
14:42 Completed reference genome
15:51 Working with collaborators in Ethiopia, find microbes that can interfere with an interaction or an infection of sorghum with parasitic plants to support small-scale farm holders
19:45 Chancellor May and maintaining work-life balance, prioritizing family and health
20:18 Approach to handling funding cuts and programs that help underserved students in the sciences
23:15 Advice on how to help your kids on their path to think about college and how to apply
About From Labs to Lives
In our From Labs to Lives series, UC Davis researchers describe the impact of their work and the consequences if federal funding for medical research were reduced or eliminated. Our research strengthens the U.S. economy and drives innovation in science and medicine. By finding new treatments and preventing illness, our work saves lives. More at: https://www.ucdavis.edu/research/labs-to-lives?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=chancellor_fltl
About UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May
Gary S. May became UC Davis’ seventh chancellor on Aug. 1, 2017. An accomplished scholar and engineer, May came to UC Davis from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Follow Chancellor May
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chancellormay.bsky.social
Facebook: facebook.com/ChancellorMay
Instagram: instagram.com/chancellor.may
Twitter/X: https://x.com/chancellor_may
More at: https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/chancellor/gary-s-may?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=chancellor_fltl
