The UC Davis Coffee Center is the first multidisciplinary university research center dedicated to address the challenges and needs of the coffee industry. The center leverage’s the university’s global reputation for excellence, to align expertise across campus, in both applied and basic research.

The Coffee Center was inspired by the incredibly popular undergraduate elective course, The Design of Coffee, which was developed by chemical engineering professors Tonya Kuhl and Bill Ristenpart in 2013. Around the same time, UC Davis launched a “Coffee Initiative” that brought together faculty interested in coffee research. With support from the coffee industry, the UC Davis Coffee Center expanded quickly and has built a comprehensive program that provides educational opportunities at all levels and a broad spectrum of vital coffee research.

Director Bill Ristenpart will provide an overview of the Coffee Center's work, and advancements in research. Peter Giuliano from the Coffee Science Foundation and the Specialty Coffee Association will share how research is impacting the industry.