This October, during Spina Bifida Awareness Month, we’re proud to celebrate a major advancement in fetal medicine and a valued partner in our mission:
Dr. Diana Farmer, internationally renowned fetal and neonatal surgeon and chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery, has received the Edward H. Ahrens, Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Patient-Oriented Research from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS).
The award honors her groundbreaking work in treating spina bifida through a first-of-its-kind approach that combines fetal surgery and stem cell therapy — a technique designed to improve outcomes for babies before birth.
As a longtime partner, UC Davis is leading some of the most promising work in fetal medicine today. At the Fetal Health Foundation, our role is to amplify this kind of innovative research — helping to raise awareness among families facing a diagnosis and fetal medicine professionals who can bring this information into clinical care. Our shared mission is to ensure that hope and breakthroughs reach the people who need them most.
“This award recognizes not just a surgical technique, but a belief in the potential of regenerative medicine to transform outcomes for the most vulnerable patients — before they’re even born,” said Dr. Farmer.
Dr. Farmer’s leadership in translational science has had a direct impact on patient care. Her CuRe Trial (Cellular Therapy for in Utero Repair), conducted at UC Davis Health, is the first in the world to investigate the use of placenta-derived stem cells during fetal surgery to improve neurological outcomes in babies with spina bifida.
Making Science Personal
The CuRe Trial represents the kind of research we strive to champion — science that begins at the bench and reaches families at a deeply personal level. By spotlighting this work and supporting families throughout their journey, we help ensure that no one facing a fetal syndrome walks that path alone.
As we mark Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Dr. Farmer’s recognition is more than a professional milestone — it’s a reminder of the progress being made in fetal medicine and the hope that exists because of it.
About the Award
Presented annually by Association for Clinical and Translational Science, the Edward H. Ahrens, Jr. Award recognizes exceptional contributions to patient-oriented research and celebrates those who bring scientific innovation directly into patient care.
📖 Want to see more from UC Davis? Explore the latest news coverage and educational videos on their groundbreaking spina bifida research and fetal therapy innovations.
