Frederick J. Meyers Earns Dual National Honors: Association for Clinical and Translational Science Recognizes Longtime Professor for Leadership, Mentorship, and Impact

Frederick J. Meyers, MD, MACP, has received two prestigious honors from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS), recognizing his long-standing leadership and impact in the field. Meyers is a distinguished emeritus professor of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, and director of the cancer center’s Office of Education, Training and Workforce Development. He is also co-director of the UC Davis Center for Precision Medicine and Data Science.

Meyers was named a recipient of the 2026 ACTS Distinguished Education: Mentorship Innovation Award. He was also inducted into the inaugural cohort of the Fellows of ACTS(FACTS) program. Both were awarded to Meyers on April 21 at the ACTS 2026 Translational Science conference in Milwaukee.

ACTS annual awards

ACTS presents its annual Translational Science Awards to recognize investigators for the outstanding contributions in clinical research and translational science. Individuals are nominated by their colleagues and peers.

“I was so delighted to learn of Dr. Meyers’ selection for these well-deserved honors,” said UC Davis Health Vice Dean for Research Kim E. Barrett, who nominated Meyers. She is also a distinguished professor with the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology.

“Dr. Meyers has inspired all of us at the UC Davis School of Medicine with his career-long dedication to effective mentoring at all levels that has continued into his formal retirement. In particular, his creation of our Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors program will ensure a pipeline to sustain the impacts of academic medicine,” Barrett said.

Launched this year, FACTS is a premier membership distinction that recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions and demonstrated sustained service to clinical and translational science. Induction into the inaugural FACTS cohort highlights Meyers’ enduring leadership, scholarly contributions and commitment to strengthening the translational research community.

In addition, the 2026 Distinguished Education: Mentorship Innovation Award recognizes Meyers for his exceptional contributions to education and mentorship. Together, these honors underscore his pivotal role in advancing translational science, fostering the next generation of investigators and strengthening academic medicine through innovation and mentorship.

Two other UC Davis professors were also inducted into the inaugural FACTS cohort: Brad Pollock, a distinguished professor of epidemiology and chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences, and Sandra Taylor, a senior statistician in the Department of Public Health Sciences.

ACTS advances translational science

ACTS is a national, nonprofit membership association representing translational scientists from the nation’s leading academic medical centers. ACTS advances education, collaboration and innovation across the clinical and translational science spectrum.

“The ACTS awards recognize talented investigators who translated their findings from the bench to bedside and ultimately the community,” said ACTS President Allan R. Brasier. “These award winners and their work represent the values and mission of ACTS for innovation, team science and community involvement applying the principles of translational science.”

Meyers and his longstanding leadership and mentorship

Meyers, who has been with UC Davis Health since 1976, has a long history of commitment to the principles of translational science. As chair of the ACTS Research Training Key Function Committee and later as ACTS board president, he championed strategic initiatives that elevated mentoring as a national priority. His efforts produced foundational publications on effective mentorship and fostered inclusive representation within ACTS leadership.

These contributions have shaped the mentoring culture across the clinical and translational research community. Meyers’ philosophy of mentorship is grounded in the belief that “everyone means everyone” — that all trainees, regardless of background, deserve genuine opportunities to thrive in health and STEM careers.

Association for Clinical and Translational Science: ACTS uniquely provides an outstanding platform for enhancing education, research, and public policy related to clinical and translational science. ACTS members consist of leaders, investigators, and trainees from academic medical centers, government, industry and philanthropy. ACTS focuses on four realms: research, education, advocacy and mentoring. Additional information is available at the ACTS website at www.actscience.org.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.