Beverly Hills billionaires give UC Davis $50 million to build agricultural research hub
Beverly Hills billionaire John C. Huang and billionaire philanthropist Michael Milken together are helping the University of California at Davis spend $50 million of their own money to build a new agricultural research hub that will attract new research investment.
The partners are among dozens of people who have donated or pledged money to support the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research at the annual Giving What We Can gala event, held this year in New York City. Huang’s daughter, Elana, was a co-chair of the event.
The UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research will now take over a facility that once housed a private pharmaceutical research company. The $50 million gift was made through the Department of Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research, which was established in 2012 by the University of California at Davis to promote and foster the use of plant-based products and technologies. The Center will become the hub for plant science and agricultural research at UC Davis.
“While our university provides access to some of the top researchers in the world, there aren’t enough of them to carry out research that may be essential to U.S. agriculture,” said UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. “Today, we are doubling down on the commitment to develop world-class academic research institutions to meet the needs of our agricultural economy.”
“The University of California is a world leader in research and education, and we are thrilled to partner with Davis to support this major research initiative that will create a world-class center of excellence on campus,” said UC President Janet Napolitano. “The Center will help foster scientific innovation on campus, and will have a strong impact on the local agricultural community.”
During the event, a video was played depicting how the Center’s new research investments will help the region. The video also included contributions from Huang and Milken, who have supported UC
