The Graduate Student Advisor to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Chancellor
As a key leadership position, the Graduate Student Advisor to the Dean of Graduate Studies and to the Chancellor (GSADC) is the campus graduate student representative serving as a voice for graduate student concerns, needs and perspectives. In addition to their work with the Chancellor, the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Council and other campus administrators, the GSADC meets with graduate students, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and other graduate student groups and organizations. This position also provides the opportunity for professional development during which the GSADC may hone their leadership skills while also becoming familiar with university administration, particularly in relation to graduate education.
2025-2026 GSADC Denise Yamhure Ramirez
Denise Yamhure Ramirez was born and raised in Bogota/Colombia, where she completed her undergraduate degree in biology. After graduating, she moved to Davis (with her two cats!) to start her Ph.D. in population biology in the fall of 2021, joining the Ramirez lab, which is part of the Evolution & Ecology department. She is now a fifth year Ph.D. candidate. Since her undergraduate degree, she became fascinated by the relationship between the brain and behaviour. Denise works with insects, given their relatively simple brains that can produce a wide repertoire of fascinating complex behaviours. Currently, her work uses a combination of state-of-the-art imaging techniques, field work and behavioral experiments to study the neuroethology (neural mechanisms underlying behaviors) of the orchid bee Euglossa dilemma. One of her main motivations for the GSADC position is to learn other ways she can contribute to research and education at UC Davis.
Email Denise at gradassistant@ucdavis.edu if you would like to arrange a meeting to voice concerns about administrative policies, input your opinion on graduate student representation, or discuss difficulties encountered in your course of study. You can also self-schedule using her appointment calendar here.