Four loyal UCLA alumni – Captain David Barrows, M.D., Larry Davis, Nancy Davis, and Sona De – received the 2026 Alumni Legacy Awards at the Chemistry & Biochemistry Departmental Awards Ceremony on June 9, 2026.
The award honors distinguished UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry alumni in recognition of their achievements in life and generous support and their service to UCLA and our department.
Captain David Barrows, M.D.
Captain David Barrows (B.S. ‘96, Biochemistry), a native of Los Angeles, began his distinguished Navy career with a direct commission as an ensign in 1997. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. Triple board-certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Addictionology, Barrows completed his postgraduate training at Cottage Health, the National Capital Consortium, and Stanford University Medical Center, alongside operational deployments to Iraq as a Battalion Surgeon and an anesthesiologist. His career also includes major leadership roles, including serving as the Executive Officer of Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Commanding Officer of Naval Readiness and Training Command Guam, and director of the Naval Hospital Guam. In July, he transitioned to his new role as the Command Surgeon for Commander, United States Pacific Fleet.
Larry and Nancy Davis
Larry Davis (B.S. Biochemistry ’77, M.S. Biological Chemistry ’79) holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA. He continued his education at the UCLA School of Medicine, earning a master’s degree in Biological Chemistry. After a brief period in the financial services sector, during which he earned a second master’s degree from The American College, Davis attended Southwestern School of Law to earn his J.D. For over 40 years, he has practiced law at his firm, Davis & Davis LLP, where he is a State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law.
Nancy Davis (B.S. Biochemistry ‘76) also earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA before completing her master’s degree at Cal State Fullerton. After working in the chemistry field for several years, she pivoted to entrepreneurship and founded the Davis Insurance Agency, specializing in individual life and health insurance.
Both individually and as a couple, the Davises are passionate, lifelong supporters of UCLA. Their incredible legacy of service includes leadership roles across the university, including Bruin Professionals, UCLA Gold Shield Alumnae, the Chancellor’s Society, the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors, The Blue Shield, the Physical Sciences Board of Advisors, and the Chemistry & Biochemistry Chair’s Council.
Sona De
Sona De (’92 Biochemistry) is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and litigation partner at a major global law firm. Over the course of her accomplished career, she has helped shape some of the most influential intellectual property disputes in the life sciences. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UCLA in 1992, De worked in the pharmaceutical industry before receiving her J.D. from USC in 1997. She has secured victories in landmark cases that are widely reported in the press and received numerous recognitions, including The National Law Journal’s “Verdicts Hall of Fame,” The American Lawyer’s “Litigator of the Week,” and three LMG patent “Impact Case of the Year” awards. She is a frequent invited speaker at legal conferences and has authored articles on significant developments in law.
In addition to her high-stakes litigation practice, De is deeply committed to pro bono advocacy. She has represented veterans and survivors of domestic violence and collaborated with nonprofit organizations to advance vital social causes. Most recently, she led a groundbreaking civil rights trial, securing a historic verdict that found senior New York state prison officials in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment for subjecting a prisoner to prolonged solitary confinement.
Her remarkable career reflects the lasting influence of her UCLA education, beautifully demonstrating how a foundation in biochemistry can drive innovation, leadership, and meaningful impact across industries and communities.
Previous recipients of the Alumni Legacy Awards are:
2025 – Dr. Donna Speckman
2024 – Professors Catherine F. Clarke and Arlene Russell
2023 – Drs. Karen and William Timberlake
2020 – Dr. Ralph Bauer
2019 – Dr. Shyr-Jin “Jim” Tsay
2018 – Drs. Audree Fowler, Atsuko Fujimoto, Margaret Holzer and Kate Murashige.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award was not given in 2021 and 2022.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
