Over the past few years, our team has watched the conversation around metabolic health shift dramatically. The rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has not only transformed how we treat obesity and diabetes, but also redefined how people think about food, nutrition and wellness.

That transformation came into sharp focus during the Discovery Forum: The Science of Metabolic Hormones—Precision Nutrition in the “Ozempic Era,” a two-day event held at Aggie Square and hosted by the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) in partnership with the UC Davis Office of Innovation and Economic Development (IEDO) and UC Davis Health. Designed for companies, researchers and the investor community, the forum explored the biology of metabolic hormones and what this science means for the future of food, health and consumer trends.

As part of the Venture Catalyst team within IEDO, we operate at the crossroads of academia and industry, fueling connections that turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact. I see firsthand how events like this embody the spirit of UC Davis innovation, and the Discovery Forum, so brilliantly orchestrated by the IIFH and its team, made it abundantly clear how UC Davis has the precise mix of expertise, infrastructure and partnerships to move the field forward.

A research powerhouse

The forum featured many distinguished speakers from academia and industry and showcased the depth of expertise UC Davis brings to metabolic research. Across disciplines, our scientists are uncovering how hormones such as GLP-1 influence nearly every system in the body from the brain to the pancreas to muscle tissue.

A few of the notable researchers leading this charge, all of whom spoke at the event, include:

• Dr. Bethany Cummings, associate professor and researcher with UC Davis Health, whose work in metabolic hormone signaling and physiology is helping to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disease.
• Dr. Carlito Lebrilla, distinguished professor in chemistry and medicine, whose pioneering glycomics and metabolomics research identifies molecular markers that connect nutrition, metabolism and disease.
• Dr. Sean Adams, professor and vice chair for basic research in the School of Medicine, who investigates the biological factors that regulate metabolism and risk for metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
• Dr. Justin Siegel, professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Medicine uses research focuses on computational, genetic, and chemical methods to design, build, and test enzyme catalysts tailored for today’s challenges.

These researchers, along with many others across both the Davis and Sacramento campuses, represent the kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration that defines UC Davis. Together, they are building a more complete picture of how both metabolic hormones and food structure and function shape human health, laying the groundwork for precision nutrition and next-generation therapies.

Facilities that drive innovation

Beyond the people, UC Davis’ infrastructure sets it apart. Our research ecosystem is designed to accelerate discovery and translation, allowing ideas to move seamlessly from bench to application. Facilities that support both faculty research and industry R&D include:

• Research Labs and Cores: Core facilities such as the West Coast Metabolomics Center, the Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, the PK/PD Bioanalytical Core Facility, and the Proteomics Core provide the tools to explore how food and metabolism connect at the molecular level.
• Preclinical and Clinical Research Facilities: The Clinical and Translational Science Center supports human trials, while the Western Human Nutrition Research Center and Ragle Human Nutrition Center enable controlled metabolic and dietary studies.
• AI and Data Innovation: Through the Artificial Intelligence Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, led by Dr. Ilias Tagkopoulos, researchers use machine learning to integrate biological, dietary and behavioral data, advancing the promise of precision nutrition.

Together, these facilities create a living laboratory where academia and industry can explore, validate and commercialize innovations that will shape the next era of metabolic health.

Translating research into real-world impact

UC Davis also offers an ecosystem that helps innovative research move beyond campus walls. Venture Catalyst is one part of a comprehensive network that includes UC Davis Health Ventures (also within IEDO), IIFH, the School of Medicine, the Technology Transfer Office, Foundation and Corporate Engagement and others. Together, we work to de-risk and translate academic discoveries into solutions that reach patients, consumers and global markets.

It’s a uniquely integrated system that allows researchers and industry partners to advance from early discovery to clinical validation and commercialization, all within a single institution.

A complete ecosystem for metabolic health innovation

The Discovery Forum reminded me why UC Davis is such a special place for this kind of work. Our researchers push the frontiers of metabolic health. Our facilities provide the means to test, refine and validate discoveries. And our innovation network ensures that promising ideas make their way into the world.

At UC Davis, we’re building a true community of research translation. One that combines scientific rigor, entrepreneurial energy and collaborative infrastructure to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in metabolic health.

From lab to life, this is where the future of metabolic innovation begins.

About the Author

Mike Lemcke, is Associate Director of UC Davis Venture Catalyst, which provides a comprehensive suite of resources, services and connections to support innovators to successfully form and grow new ventures. In his role, Mike serves as a point person providing life science startups with business and technical expertise, engaging directly with innovators and entrepreneurs to facilitate a pathway from research to commercial and societal impact.