David Loury named the recipient of the 2020 Aggie Service Award

This week, the California Aggie Alumni Association announced that David Loury ’79, Ph.D. ’84, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Aggie Service Award in recognition of his contributions to multitude of campus initiatives over the course of several decades. The award honors UC Davis graduates who have demonstrated exemplary Aggie pride and dedication to UC Davis through personal commitment of time, energy, volunteerism and leadership.

Loury received his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Technology in 1979 and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology in 1984, both from UC Davis. Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Loury went on to work in the biopharmaceutical industry, leading drug development efforts at several Bay Area companies. Throughout his career, David Loury has helped save lives through his work on the preclinical development of numerous pharmaceutical medications. One of these drugs, Imbruvica, showed remarkable efficiency in early clinical trials against certain types of lymphoma and leukemia – it is now prescribed worldwide to extend the life of patients with blood cancers.

Loury worked in preclinical safety and drug development at Pharmacyclics, where Imbruvica was developed, later becoming chief scientific officer and executive vice president of toxicology. He has served on the UC Davis Foundation Board of Trustees and the Graduate Studies and Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) advisory boards. In retirement, Loury continues to give back through the David and Dana Loury Foundation, advancing professional development for all UC Davis graduate students through many generous gifts. He has also supported graduate research through an endowed fellowship at TERC.

Honoring the accomplishments of UC Davis alumni

The 2020 UC Davis Alumni Awards honor the accomplishments of eight dedicated alumni and friends, ranging from one of the nation’s top trial lawyers, to health care professionals improving treatments for deadly diseases, to a rising star among women in STEM. In addition to Loury, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) – now serving 260,000 UC Davis graduates – selected the following leaders to honor their profound impact on UC Davis and the world. 

• John C. Harris ’65 of Sanger
• Davis Campbell ’68 of Davis
• Arturo J. Gonzalez ’82 of San Ramon
• Brian H. Sway ’74 of Davis
• Hope M. Bovenzi ’12 of San Jose
• Bill and Nancy Roe of Davis

The 47th Annual Alumni Awards Gala will honor the awardees at a banquet Feb. 7, 2020, at Peter J. Shields Library, with the theme “A Novel Night.

About Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes over 100 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.
UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.