The tributes and remembrances keep flowing--and rightfully so--for internationally celebrated scientist Bruce Hammock (1947-2026), a UC Davis Distinguished Professor who held a joint appointment with the Department of Entomology and Nematology and the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. He died Jan. 5 at age 78.
We wrote about him on the UC Davis Entomology and Nematology website.
Bruce, as he preferred to be known, was renowned for his chemistry, toxicology, biochemistry, entomology and human health research that led to elected membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors; scores of professional honors and awards; and accolades from administrators, colleagues, researchers, alumni and students.
“Bruce Hammock’s groundbreaking contributions to insect physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, and experimental therapeutics have been recognized internationally, but here at UC Davis we also had the privilege of knowing him firsthand as a dedicated mentor, an outspoken advocate for students and faculty, and a generous and beloved colleague,” Chancellor May said earlier this year.
And now a wonderful tribute by Cindy McReynolds, CEO of EicOsis, the company that Hammock founded to develop a safer approach to treat pain and inflammation. Cindy received her doctorate in pharmacology/toxicology in 2021 from UC Davis; Bruce served as her major professor.
Dear EicOsis Community,
This quarter’s update is especially meaningful for everyone at EicOsis.
At the beginning of the year, we lost Dr. Bruce Hammock, an extraordinary scientist, mentor, and the founder and Chair of EicOsis. Bruce’s work reshaped how the scientific community understands inflammation and pain, and his vision is the reason this company exists. Just as importantly, his integrity, curiosity, and rigor shaped the culture we continue to carry forward.
Bruce would jokingly remind us that “If science is not fun, it shouldn’t be done.” Although seemingly lighthearted, he would say this as motivation to persevere through tough experiments. I think about this often, and as we share our ‘fun’ updates with you in our newsletters, I hope to one day translate these results to improve the lives of patients in desperate need of better treatments for their disease.
While his passing is deeply personal for many of us, it has also sharpened our sense of purpose. Bruce believed that great science carries responsibility, the responsibility to translate insight into real therapies for people who need them the most. That conviction is guiding our work every day.
Over the past quarter, EicOsis has continued to advance its lead program with focus and momentum, while refining our clinical strategy to accelerate development timelines and expand impact. In this issue, we are also sharing planned new indications designed to streamline regulatory pathways and shorten time to market, an approach that reflects Bruce’s lifelong commitment to translational science.
This newsletter is dedicated to Bruce’s legacy, not as a look back, but as a reaffirmation. Our mission is clear, our science is strong, and our commitment to execution has only grown stronger. We are grateful to our collaborators, investors, and broader community for your continued trust and support as we move forward, carrying Bruce’s vision into the next chapter of EicOsis.
Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Bruce Hammock
The Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Bruce Hammock will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in California Hall, UC Davis campus. Pre-registration is underway at https://forms.gle/eRssVnZyVZBV6is9A, announced coordinator UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, former chair of the Department of Entomology. Chancellor May will be among the speakers.
Cover image: UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock, 1947-2026, in his office. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)