Behind the scenes of campus comfort and sustainability is the Energy Engineering team, a group blending engineering expertise, data science, and hands-on problem-solving to ensure buildings operate efficiently and reliably. With nearly 100 years of combined experience, the team balances long-term strategy with daily operational excellence.
For Joe Burns, every day at UC Davis brings a new challenge, and that’s exactly what he enjoys most about the work. As the High Voltage Supervisor for Utilities, Joe plays a critical role in ensuring the campus’ electrical infrastructure operates safely and reliably while supporting the daily operations of a world-class university.
Marta Bliemeister is a fourth-year Civil Engineering major with a minor in Mathematics who works as a project engineering intern with UC Davis Facilities Management. Since joining Facilities in June 2025, she has played a key role in leading an innovative vermifiltration project at the Robert Mondavi Institute.
At the heart of the UC Davis avian research community is Amelia Realzola, Senior Animal Technician for the Avian Facility. Based at Meyer Hall and the poultry headquarters, Amelia plays a vital role in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the birds that support teaching, research, and outreach across campus.
UC Davis’ Robert Mondavi Institute (RMI) Teaching & Research Winery produces 30,000 gallons of wine annually. RMI promotes public understanding of wine, brewing, and food sciences through events and research within its winery and brewery facilities, as well as its Food Innovation Lab and sensory labs. As the first LEED-platinum-certified winery in the world, sustainability is a high priority for RMI.
In Spring 2025, a quiet but concerning trend caught the attention of the UC Davis Facilities Management central plant team: the campus chilled water system required frequent “top-offs.” In simple terms, more water than usual was being added to the system to keep it running, indicating that a significant leak was occurring somewhere underground or going unnoticed in a building.
No one knew where.
UC Regents have approved a $55 million component of the Big Shift, funding the installation of thermal energy storage and heat-recovery technology to cut fossil fuel use and lower utility costs.
UC Davis has committed $20 million to campus security improvements — and made progress with updated outdoor lights, cameras, call boxes and building security — some of which were highlighted at the 16th annual Campus Safety Lighting Walk.
Students, staff, and community members headed out across campus on Jan. 21, 2026, for the annual UC Davis Campus Safety Lighting Walk, an evening event focused on identifying areas where lighting could be brighter or better maintained.
Beginning mid-January 2026, UC Davis Facilities Management’s Custodial Services will adjust the frequency of services in conference rooms (from daily to weekly) and research labs (from daily to twice weekly).
