In 2025-26 the College of Letters and Science welcomes an extremely talented class of new faculty who are the future of Letters and Science and UC Davis. They are already remarkable in their achievements as scientists, artists, writers and scholars. They join us from prestigious academic programs and fellowships from across the country.

These scholars are role models who will inspire our students to achieve a life of impact without boundaries. Their many backgrounds, cultures and experiences represent a rich tapestry of perspectives that strengthen our collective work as both scholars and educators. They expand our opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations, both within our college and across the UC Davis community. These new colleagues strengthen our foundation — and future — of inclusive excellence.

#UCDLiberalArts #OurUCDavis

 

Arif Camoglu smiling infront of a city lake
Arif Camoglu

Assistant Professor
English
 Ph.D. Northwestern University

Imogen Forbes smiling in a black top
Imogen Forbes-Macphail

Assistant Professor
English
 Ph.D. UC Berkeley

Najwa Mayer looking at the camera in a black turtle neck
Najwa Mayer

Assistant Professor
Asian American Studies
Ph.D. Yale University
 

Luis Parra looking forward and smiling in glasses and a blazer
Luis Armando Parra

Assistant Professor
Psychology
 Ph.D. UC Davis

Steven Schmidt smiling in a light blue button down
Steven Schmidt

Assistant Professor
Theatre and Dance
M.F.A Yale University

Amanda Thomas smiling
Amanda Thomas

Professor and Louise H. Kellogg Endowed Chair
Earth and Planetary Sciences
 Ph.D. UC Berkeley

Zekun Zhang smiling on a boat
Zekun Zhang

Assistant Professor
History
Ph.D. Yale University

a woman smiling in a green dress against a fuschia background
Athia Choudhury

Assistant Professor
Asian American Studies
Ph.D University of Southern California

Amer Ibrahim smiling while wearing a blue dress shirt
Aamer Ibraheem

Assistant Professor
Anthropology
Ph.D. Columbia University

Brenna Mockler smiling at the camera in an outdoor setting
Brenna Mockler

Assistant Professor
Physics and Astronomy
 Ph.D. UC Santa Cruz
 

William Rayo turned towards the camera and smiling, wearing a blue patterned button down.
William Rayo

Assistant Professor of Teaching
Psychology
Ph.D. Oregon State University

Joshua Shanes smiling outside in a dress shirt and blazer
Joshua Shanes

Professor and Emanuel Ringleblum Endowed Chair
Jewish History
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin, Madison

Gabriel Tourek
Gabriel Tourek

Assistant Professor
Economics
Ph.D. Harvard University

Oscar Velasco taking a selfie
Oscar Fernando Contreras Velasco

Assistant Professor
Sociology
Ph.D. UT El Paso
 

Anuj Kumar smiling at the camera
Anuj Kumar

Assistant Professor
Mathematics
P.h.D. UC Santa Cruz

Ali Musleh looking over his shoulder while wearing a pink button up
Ali Musleh

Assistant Professor
Anthroplogy
Ph.D. University of Hawai'i, Manoa

Emily Ruppel Smiling outside while wearing glasses and a teal shirt
Emily Ruppel

Assistant Professor
Sociology
Ph.D. UC Berkeley

Wenting Song smiling in all black attire
Wenting Song

Assistant Professor
Economics
Ph.D. University of Michigan

Rob Voigt looking forward and smiling
Rob Voigt

Assistant Professor
Linguistics
 Ph.D Stanford University

Tessa Cookmeyer smiling in a blue top.
Tessa Cookmeyer

Assistant Professor
Physics and Astronomy
Ph.D. UC Berkeley

Stephanie smiling at the camera
Stephanie Lumsden

Assistant Professor
Native American Studies
Ph.D. UC LA
 

Brittani Orona taking a selfie
Brittani Orona

Assistant Professor
Native American Studies
Ph.D. UC Davis

Tye Rush looking forward wearing a black top
Tye Rush

Assistant Professor
Political Science
Ph.D. UC Los Angeles

Valerie Taing smiling.
Valerie Taing

Assistant Professor
Sociology
Ph.D. University of Michigan

James Watkins smiling in black and white
James Watkins

Professor
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Ph.D. UC Berkeley