The Department of Plant Biology offers fellowships that support research, scholarship and professional development for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty. These awards recognize excellence, foster innovation and help advance bold ideas in plant biology — from fundamental discoveries in genetics, evolution and ecology to translational work that addresses global challenges in agriculture, climate resilience and sustainability.
Department Fellowships
Katherine Esau Award and Fellowship
About the Award and Fellowship
Katherine Esau was a pioneering plant biologist whose groundbreaking work in plant anatomy and morphology continues to shape the field today. In her honor, the department supports emerging scholars through two competitive Esau Fellowships, one for pre-tenure faculty and one for postdoctoral researchers. These programs provide multi-year funding, campus mentorship, and opportunities to share research with the broader scientific community.
Katherine Esau Junior Faculty Fellow Award
The Esau Program committee invites nominations for the Katherine Esau Junior Faculty Fellow award. Candidates should be pre-tenure at the time of the award.
Award
- Duration: 2 years
- Research funds: $15,000 per year
- Focus: “Structural aspects of plants at the level of tissues, organs and whole plants. Included would be studies in which plant structure is integrated with development, evolution and/or function. Modern approaches to important questions in plant anatomy and morphology are encouraged.”
Faculty fellow eligibility will be determined based on evidence of outstanding scholarship in these areas.
Nomination materials
The brief nomination letter from the Department Chair should be accompanied by:
- A short curriculum vitae (3 pages or less) that includes publications and current grant support
- A statement of research (not to exceed one page) describing the research and how it is applicable to the goals of the Esau program
Deadline and submission
- Nominations close: the 30th of April in odd numbered years
- Submission: Please send all materials by e-mail to [email protected].
Faculty Fellow expectations
The selected Faculty Fellow will be required to present a seminar to the campus (in any of the graduate group seminar series) on the research conducted during the tenure of the fellowship.
Katherine Esau Postdoctoral Fellowship
Biennial application deadline: November 1
Applications and nominations are invited for the Katherine Esau Postdoctoral Fellowship in Plant Biology, awarded to an outstanding young scientist interested in structural aspects of plants at the level of tissues, organs and whole plants. Included would be studies in which plant structure is integrated with development, evolution and/or function. Modern approaches to important questions in plant anatomy and morphology are encouraged.
The Esau Fellowship will be awarded for a period of two years, with a possibility of renewal for an additional year, to enable the successful candidate to work under the mentorship of a University of California, Davis tenured or tenure-track faculty member. The salary rate is determined by NIH salary scales and the level of postdoctoral experience, and will increase annually as per the NIH salary scales. The University only allows a postdoc appointment for someone with less than 5 years of postdoc experience, so no one with more than 3 years prior postdoc experience would be eligible for the award.
Application materials
Applicants should submit the following materials by email to [email protected].
All materials should be compiled as a single PDF, and letters should include the candidate’s name and Esau Fellowship in the subject line.
- name(s) of appropriate faculty mentor(s) (whom you have already contacted)
- complete curriculum vitae
- PDF reprints of published works
- proposal describing the original and creative research that would be carried out under this program (limited to 5 single-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins)
- statement of the relevance of the proposed research to the planned career in plant structure and development, evolution and/or function
- three letters of recommendation
- a letter of commitment of laboratory space and ancillary support from the proposed UC Davis faculty mentor(s), including a statement on the originality of the proposed work and the relationship of the proposed study to ongoing research in the faculty member's lab
Eligibility and review considerations
International candidates are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to:
- candidates who received the Ph.D. from an institution other than UC Davis
- candidates who have not already spent time on this campus
- candidates who have completed the Ph.D. within the past 3 years
Additional information
- Inquiries may be made by e-mail to the chair of the Faculty Advisory Committee.
- Fellowship applications will be accepted in even numbered years.
- The University of California is an equal opportunity employer.
- Past Recipients of the Katherine Esau Award and Fellowship
Past Postdoctoral Fellows
Javier Jauregui-Lazo (2023-2025)
Daniella Rodriguez-Zaccaro (2025-2028)
Ryan Stanfield (2020-2022)
Mina Momayyezi (2018-2020)
Aaron Leichty (2018-2020)
Paula Guzman (2016-2018)
Guillaume Rancort (2015-2017)
Jessica Budke (2013-2015)
Stefan Little (2009-2011)
Takashi Hotta (2007-2009)
Shawn Krosnick (2006-2008)
Julie Kang (2005-2008)
Martina Romanova (2003-2005)
Edyta Gola (2001-2003)
Sandra Floyd (2000-2002)
Connie Champagne (2000-2002)
Hiroyuki Nonogaki (1998-2000)
Robert Kuzoff (1998-2000)
Regina McClinton (1997-1999)
Milka Ivanova (1995-1997)
Sabine Bouche-Pillon (1995-1997)
Geeta Bharatham (1993-1996)
Hong Li Wang (1993-1995)Past Summer Graduate Fellows
Tamera Taylor (2024)
Shuxiao (Susan) Zhang (2024)
Zane Moore (2020)
Oscar Hinojosa (2020)
Min-Yao Jhu (2019)
Allison Gaudinier (2016)
Italo Cuneo (2016)
Ciera Martinez (2015)Past Junior Faculty Fellows
Patrick Shih (2019)
Siobhan Brady (2012)
Department Chair's Sponsored Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Chair’s Fellowship for the Outstanding Plant Biology Post-Doctoral Fellow annually recognizes the accomplishments of a highly meritorious post-doctoral fellow. This award will be presented to the most outstanding post-doctoral fellow working in the laboratory of a faculty member in the Department of Plant Biology. The award winner will present a brief seminar based on his/her research at the Annual Celebration of Plant Biology. Applications are announced via email to departmental listserves in winter quarter.
- Chair’s Fellowship for the Outstanding Plant Biology Post-Doctoral Fellow Past Recipients
- 2026: Brandie Quarles
2025: no award
2024: no award
2023: Fuai Sun
2022: Lidor Shaar-Moshe
2021: Dorota Kawa
2020: no award
2019: Imtiyaz Khanday
2018: no award
2017: no award
2016: Hagop Atamian
2015: Kaisa Kajala
Graduate Fellowships
The department offers several fellowships designed to support the research, training, and professional development of our graduate students. These awards help fund innovative scientific projects, conference and research travel, and educational opportunities that enrich the graduate experience. Through the generosity of donors and departmental endowments, our fellowships empower emerging scientists to pursue impactful work and contribute to the advancement of plant biology.
Simon Chan Memorial Fellowship
The Simon Chan Memorial Fellowship was established in memory of Associate Professor Simon Chan, whose work on plant breeding held promise for addressing global challenges, particularly in the developing world. The fellowship supports doctoral students in the Department of Plant Biology whose research is expected to have positive societal impact. One or more fellowships are awarded annually, depending on available funds, and may be used for research expenses and limited research-related travel. Donors can help carry forward Simon’s vision and ensure that the curiosity, compassion, and scientific excellence by giving to the Simon Chan Memorial Fellowship, which supports graduate students in the Department of Plant Biology. Applications are announced via email to departmental listserves in winter quarter.
- Simon Chan Memorial Fellowship Past Recipients
- 2026: Xingyao Yu
2025: Man Kei Tse (Contance); Katherine Hand
2024: Tamera Taylor; Ashley Chrisman
Walter R. and Roselinde H. Russell Graduate Fellowship in Plant Biology
The Walter R. and Roselinde H. Russell Graduate Fellowship in Plant Biology was established in 1996 to honor the distinguished career of Walter R. Russell, who spent many years in the Department of Botany at UC Davis. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of one Ph.D. student each year to the study of plant biology. This fellowship will be awarded annually to the most outstanding Ph.D. student working in the laboratory of a primary or secondary member of the Department of Plant Biology. The recipient will present a seminar based on their research at the Annual Celebration of Plant Biology. Applications are announced via email to departmental list serves in winter quarter.
- Walter R. and Roselinde H. Russell Graduate Fellowship in Plant Biology Past Recipients
- 2026: Tamera Taylor
2025: Hui Ren
2024: Calvin Huang
2023: Hongtao Zhang, John Davis
2022: Weier Guo
2021: Zach Liechty
2020: Chenxin Li, Leonardo Jo
2019: Steven Rowland
2018: Michelle Tang, Iniyan Ganesan
2017: Neeraj Lal, Allie Gaudinier
2016: Joseph Edwards
2015: Marta Bjornson
2014: Ciera Martinez
2013: Mallorie Taylor
2012: Cui (Tracy) Zeng
2011: Cory Ellison, Chin Min Kimmy Ho
2010: Ryan Kirkbride
2001: Sharon Kessler, Nathan Alder
Elsie Taylor Stocking Fellowship in Plant Physiology
The Elsie Taylor Stocking Fellowship in Plant Physiology, which was established in 1992 by the late Professor Emeritus of Botany, C. Ralph Stocking in memory of his wife. This Fellowship, the department's first permanently endowed fellowship, supports top graduate students in plant physiology research. There are two types of awards. The student(s) selected for the research fellowship will use funds for research expenses, including travel related to their research. The student(s) selected for the travel fellowship will use the funds to support travel to conferences for research presentations. The recipient will present a seminar based on their research at the Annual Celebration of Plant Biology. Inquire with the department for more information about this award and its application process.
- Elsie Taylor Stocking Fellowship in Plant Physiology Past Recipients
- 2026: Kevin Morimoto; Brittany Long; Gloria (Alex) Gueroguieva; Man Kei (Constance) Tse; Hannah Peha (travel)
2025: Ashley Chrisman (travel); Sam DeRiseis; Hannah Peha (travel)
2024: Alex Gueorguieva (travel); Katherine Hand; Tamera Taylor (travel)
2023: Howard Huo; Nathan Meier (travel); Gabby Wyatt (travel)
2022: April DeMell; Aaron Rosenfeld; Hongtao Zhang
2021: Ximena Anleu Gil; Angelica Guercio; Calvin Huang
2020: Anna Cowie; Nyd Sertsuvalkul; Veronica Thompson; Esteban Veliz
2019: Cassandra Baker; Mona Gouran; Zach Liechty
2018: Don Gibson (travel); Min-Yao Jhu; Prema Karunanithi (travel); Laura Klasek; Chenxin Li
2017: Leonardo Jo; Katherine Murphy; Christian Santos Medellin; Rie Uzawa
2016: Allie Gaudinier; Peter Lynagh
2015: Joe Edwards; Donnelley West
2014: Sarah Anderson; Leonela Carriedo; Jonathan Ho; Neeraj Lal
2013: Jennifer Gray; Ciera Martinez (travel); Amanda Schrager; Xiaoya Song
2012: Ciera Martinez
2011: Marta Bronson; Amanda Schrager (travel); Mallorie Taylor
2010: Shajahan Anver; Philip Conklin
2009: Chin Ho; Yingshan Hsu; Cui Zeng
2008: Danielle Filiault; Neil Hunter
2006: Ryan Kirkbride; Shari Lo; Justin Walley
2004: Daniel Koenig; Eriko Miura
2003: Nikolai Braun; Siobhan Braybrook; Ellen Martin
2002: Kook-Hyun Chung
2001: Joanna Friesner
1999: Nathan Alder; Sharon Kessler; Minsung Kim