Faculty News
Distinguished leaders join inaugural Chancellor’s Advisory Board
March 11, 2024
With a goal of advancing the mission of UC Santa Cruz and broadening the university’s impact, Chancellor Cynthia Larive has announced the formation of an external Chancellor's Advisory Board.
Industrial fishing poses greater risk to marine life due to untracked activity, UC Santa Cruz researchers find
March 8, 2024
A new study led by a scientist at UC Santa Cruz's Institute of Marine Sciences finds that blue whales, tunas, and other top predators in the northeast Pacific Ocean face greater risk of harm from industrial fishing than previously thought.
Scientists find unexpected proteins in bacteria motors
March 8, 2024
A team of scientists, co-led by Karen Ottemann, a professor of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, recently found three unexpected proteins while studying the motors that power the flagella of a species called Helicobacter pylori. The proteins, which are normally found in another type of appendage on a separate group of bacteria, seem to exert control over the motion of the flagella. These proteins, known as PilN, PilO, and PilM, had never been found associated with a flagella before.
Important changes to UCSC Google service
March 7, 2024
In February 2021, Google announced changes to Google Workspace for Education ending unlimited free storage.
‘Digital twins’ project will help clean up space junk, repair and decommission spacecrafts
March 6, 2024
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ricardo Sanfelice and a team of researchers have been awarded $2.5M to model complex aerospace engineering problems.
UC Santa Cruz breaks records with increased applications for Fall 2024
March 6, 2024
The University of California, Santa Cruz has once again received a record number of applications highlighting the desirability of the educational experience the campus provides. Leading at the intersection of innovation and social justice, UC Santa Cruz is actively fostering a community of forward-thinkers committed to driving positive change. The campus draws a diverse and accomplished applicant pool, comprising scholars poised to catalyze positive change worldwide.
Annual Pre-Retirement Planning Series for July 1 retirements and those within 5 years of UC retirement
March 5, 2024
UC Santa Cruz’s Benefits Office is offering the 2024 Pre-Retirement Planning Workshop series through March 22.
Notice of open comment period ALPR policy
March 5, 2024
The Division of Finance, Operations, and Administration is inviting comments on the proposed Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) policy through April 5, 2024.
Nominations for the UC Women's Initiative for Professional Development are open until March 22
March 5, 2024
Designed for mid-career faculty and staff participants, and sponsored by the Office of the President, the program is open to all employees who are committed to the initiative's mission.
Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu launches her new book: "The Movies of Racial Childhoods"
February 29, 2024
To celebrate, Shimizu will be hosting a book launch on the University of California, Santa Cruz Campus at the Sesnon Gallery, where the book will be available for purchase from Two Birds Books. The book will be discussed in conversation with Shimizu and the Sesnon Gallery director Valeria Miranda.
United for Equity: Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative launch event celebrates a groundbreaking collaboration
February 29, 2024
On Feb. 9, leaders from the Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative, representing 30-plus educational institutions and industry partners across the Central Coast, gathered to launch an initiative aimed at addressing long-standing inequities and streamlining educational and career pathways.
UC Santa Cruz-based center leads system-wide commitment to White House food security initiative
February 29, 2024
The Center for Economic Justice and Action (CEJA) at UC Santa Cruz will lead the University of California’s participation in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.
Open Educational Resources cut student costs and increase engagement
February 28, 2024
Many students face a financial challenge when it comes to covering the cost of course materials each quarter. To help reduce this financial burden, a growing number of instructors at UC Santa Cruz are using Open Educational Resources (OER).
Center for Research in Open Source Software welcomes James Davis as new faculty director
February 27, 2024
Professor of Computer Science and Engineering is the new faculty director of the Center for Research in Open Source Software (CROSS).
UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement Webinar Series
February 26, 2024
I write on behalf of Michelle Deutchman, executive director for the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, to make you aware of a webinar series for UC faculty and staff that is occurring right now.
Mourning the tragic death of our student
February 26, 2024
It is with the deepest sorrow that I share the news that one of our students succumbed on Friday to fatal injuries she endured early that morning at Seabright State Beach.
The UCSC Music Department presents "The World Making Aura of Sonic Blackness" with Moor Mother & James Gordon Williams
February 26, 2024
On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the University of California, Santa Cruz Music Department presents a very special performance by guest artist Moor Mother (Camae Ayewa) and James Gordon Williams, assistant professor of music composition at UC Santa Cruz in the Recital Hall of the Music Center.
The Center for Creative Ecologies presents "Nuclear Nows: Contemporary Art, Radiation, and Militarized Ecologies”
February 26, 2024
This two-part symposium is the work of Zoe Weldon-Yochim, a Ph.D. Candidate in Visual Studies, in collaboration with T.J. Demos, Professor in the Department of the History of Art and Visual Culture and Director of the Center for Creative Ecologies, and will discuss the intersection of contemporary art, militarized ecologies, and nuclear nationalism.
Scientists begin to crack open climate-change riddles hiding in ancient coral
February 23, 2024
An international team of researchers on an expedition co-led by UC Santa Cruz Professor Christina Ravelo collected cores of fossil coral off the coast of Hawai'i to look for signs of climate and sea-level change over the past half million years.
Closer water monitoring needed as wildfires increase
February 23, 2024
UC Santa Cruz researchers warn that wildfires can change the chemistry of nearby streams that people and wildlife depend on for drinking water. But they found that the baseline water-chemistry data needed to detect such changes aren’t always available.
Stranger Things VR game co-written by UCSC’s Samantha Gorman launches in partnership with Netflix, Meta
February 22, 2024
A new virtual reality (VR) game set in the world of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things launches today — and UC Santa Cruz Assistant Teaching Professor of Computational Media Samantha Gorman is a key creative mind behind it as the game’s co-writer and narrative director.
Annual notice on employees responsible for reporting discrimination, sexual violence or sexual harassment
February 22, 2024
To promote a healthy campus climate, we encourage everyone in our community to report incidents of sexual violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to EEP.
Kimberly Lau appointed provost of College Nine and John R. Lewis College
February 22, 2024
The Division of Social Sciences has selected Literature Professor Kimberly Lau as the new provost of College Nine and John R. Lewis College.
Two UC Santa Cruz scientists named 2024 Sloan Research Fellows
February 20, 2024
Assistant Professors Roxanne Beltran and Jacqueline Kimmey have been awarded Sloan Research Fellowships, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed on early-career scientists, each receiving $75,000 to delve into new areas of research in their respective fields of marine ecology and microbiology.
Community Voices Series event remembers Santa Cruz's fourth Chinatown
February 20, 2024
The second UC Santa Cruz Community Voices Series event featured a conversation between UC Santa Cruz Community Archivist Rebecca Hernandez and local philanthropist and developer George Ow Jr.
Office of Equity and Equal Protection announces new systemwide anti-discrimination policy
February 20, 2024
The Office of Equity and Equal Protection (EEP) is pleased to announce the issuance of a new systemwide policy on Anti–Discrimination.
Chemists use peptides from Alzheimer’s and Type II diabetes to describe five new rippled beta-sheets
February 20, 2024
Scientists from the University of California, Santa Cruz, synthesized peptides from proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and Type II Diabetes and described five new rippled beta-sheet structures.
UC Santa Cruz awarded SEA Change Bronze Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
February 20, 2024
UC Santa Cruz has been awarded a 2024 STEM Equity Achievement (SEA) Change Initiative Institutional Bronze Award. The award recognizes the university’s commitment to long-term, sustainable institutional transformation in support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) through self-assessment.
UC Santa Cruz earns national acclaim: awarded NAFSA’s 2024 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization
February 15, 2024
In recognition of excellence in internationalization efforts, the University of California, Santa Cruz has been selected to receive the prestigious 2024 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Legal Studies major Lauren Elscott found her passion with music and events on campus
February 15, 2024
Lauren Elscott is senior in the legal studies program whose true passion lies in music and events. At UC Santa Cruz she discovered the electronic music minor and how to be involved on campus.
Student Gabriella Goss wins $500 Alumni Leadership Award from Ecology Project International
February 14, 2024
Her project draws inspiration from her Ecology Project International (EPI) course experience in the Galapagos Islands, where she witnessed the thriving wildlife in an ecosystem largely spared from human interference. This prompted her to explore the negative impact of human activities on animal habitats, specifically focusing on the millions of animals killed annually by vehicles.
Slugs in love: Celebrating love stories from UCSC alumni
February 14, 2024
Fourteen alumni share how they found love as students at UC Santa Cruz.
Protein designer awarded $2.5M to develop bioluminescent protein for deep tissue imaging
February 13, 2024
Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Andy Yeh was awarded a nearly $2.5 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to develop completely artificial enzymes that can produce bioluminescence in the body for deep tissue imaging.
UC Santa Cruz Physicist Joel Primack wins 2024 AAAS Abelson Prize
February 13, 2024
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded the prestigious 2024 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize to Joel R. Primack, distinguished professor of physics emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz and a key architect of the Cold Dark Matter theory.
In Memoriam: Frank Andrews, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
February 13, 2024
With enormous gratitude, we celebrate the life of UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus Frank Andrews, who died of cancer on January 31, 2024, at age 91.
UC Santa Cruz welcomes new AVC for planning, design, and construction
February 13, 2024
A network for the future
February 13, 2024
UCSC Student Serena Campbell’s senior thesis leads to a comprehensive network between critical environmental researchers on campus.
Innovation at the intersection: An alum’s trailblazing ventures in tech, film, and social change
February 12, 2024
Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, a filmmaker and producer, a social justice advocate, and a scholar.
Widespread machine learning methods behind ‘link prediction’ are performing very poorly, study shows
February 12, 2024
New research from UC Santa Cruz Professor of Computer Science and Engineering C. “Sesh” Seshadhri published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences establishes that the metric used to measure link prediction performance is missing crucial information, and link prediction tasks are performing significantly worse than popular literature indicates.
Update on the campus budget
February 12, 2024
Campus leadership has been involved in discussions to address a projected growing structural deficit in our core budget in a timely manner.
Commencement schedule announced
February 12, 2024
This spring’s ceremonies will be held on the East Upper Field from June 14–17, 2024.
After Man: Alterhuman Ethics and Poetics at the Climate Change Tipping Point
February 12, 2024
Join associate professor micha cárdenas for her talk about the meeting point between the end of humanity and contemporary art.
UCSC Central Asian Ensemble honors traditional Uzbek music with special guest master dutarist Rozibi Khodjaeva
February 9, 2024
UC Santa Cruz is home to the only Western dutar ensemble. They will be playing along with Rozibi Khodjaeva, a master dutar player who is visiting from her home in Uzbekistan. Under the instruction of associate music professor Tanya Merchant, the show will be a culmination of what her students have learned so far.
The UCSC’s African American Theater Arts Troupe presents Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage
February 9, 2024
Light-hearted comedy captures the struggles of the formerly incarcerated staff as they hope for a better life
Addressing Bias and Bigotry: Call for Ideas
February 8, 2024
The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) is providing each campus with on-time funds to combat bias, bigotry and discrimination stemming from recent global events.
Breaking Records and Feeding Hope
February 8, 2024
Bioelectronics enable precise control of organoids for better understanding of neuro diseases, neuron circuits
February 7, 2024
UC Santa Cruz researchers have developed a new plug-and-play bioelectronics system that enables researchers to precisely control neuronal activity in cortical organoids, which will help unlock new discoveries on how brains form neural circuits and the underpinnings of neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases.
To plan a sustainable future for seafood access in small island developing states, researchers highlight solutions hiding in plain sight
February 7, 2024
To better understand how fisheries-based food systems might respond to change, a research team led by UCSC Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Katherine Seto took a deeper look at the strategies that people in the small island developing state of Kiribati currently use to access seafood.
The Department of Performance, Play, and Design depends on crucial funds from Measure 11
February 6, 2024
Many are hoping for an adjustment to Measure 11, which dictates the quarterly ticket price for all shows. If the measure makes it onto the ballot and passes it will bring in hundreds or thousands of dollars in revenue.
Bryant Terry touts power of food and community at 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation
February 6, 2024
Food justice advocate, chef, and author Bryant Terry called on people to seek alternatives to the industrialized food system during his keynote address for UC Santa Cruz’s 40th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation.
UC Santa Cruz Summer Session offers exclusive tuition discount to California Community College students
February 6, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Summer Session is launching a new 50 percent per-credit Summer Session tuition discount exclusively for California Community College students.
Undergraduate Public Fellows Program connects humanities studies with real-world impact
February 6, 2024
The Humanities Institute's Public Fellows Program offers a mutually enriching opportunity for students to bring the humanities skills and knowledge they acquire in their university courses to diverse roles at non-profit organizations, museums, cultural institutions, and publishing venues.
UC Santa Cruz's second annual Teaching Week Feb. 26 - March 1
February 6, 2024
The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the Academic Senate are delighted to present UC Santa Cruz’s second annual Teaching Week which will take place February 26–March 1, 2024. This is an opportunity for the entire campus to celebrate the many changes to the culture and practice of teaching and learning on our campus and to shine a light on all of the work so many of you have put into transforming your educational practices.
March 5 is Election Day in California
February 6, 2024
Space Management Policy Update
February 6, 2024
Our plans for Commencement 2024
February 5, 2024
This spring’s ceremonies will be held on the East Upper Field from June 14–17, 2024.
Important Update on Preferred, Primary, Lived, and Legal Names in MyUCSC
February 1, 2024
We are excited to share important updates regarding the implementation plans for the UC Gender Recognition and Lived Name (GRLN) Policy announced on December 12, 2023, by CP/EVC Lori Kletzer.
Promoting safe campus transit services
February 1, 2024
The safety of our campus community is our utmost priority and we want every rider to be confident that our drivers and shuttles are meeting or exceeding expectations in the delivery of transit services.
Crafting smiles and setting records on the track: An alumnus’s unique dual-pursuit
January 31, 2024
Alumnus Leo Merle is juggling two major life goals: graduate from the University of Michigan with a doctorate in dentistry, and be the first American with cerebral palsy to run the 1,500 meter race in less than four minutes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Preparing for storms on Wednesday and Thursday
January 30, 2024
Over the coming days, we expect a major winter storm to affect Santa Cruz County alongside much of California.
Music Professor Russell Rodriguez wins the Américo Paredes Prize
January 30, 2024
The American Folklore Society awarded UC Santa Cruz professor Russell Rodriguez the annual Paredes prize in recognition of his work in the arts with the local community and his contributions to folklore and tradition.
Renowned Sitarist Nishat Khan playing at UC Santa Cruz
January 30, 2024
The classical Indian musician will play at Music Center Recital Hall along with tabla player Nitin Mitta. The two are internationally recognized musicians. We will be welcoming Khan back after he last played in 2015.
We are all in this together: Favianna Rodriguez and the ecology of social movements
January 30, 2024
The redwood trees that tower over the UC Santa Cruz campus are glorious manifestations of an ecosystem built on symbiotic relationships. The mighty redwoods, the iconic banana slug, the small sorrel are all interwoven in their existence and survival.
2023-24 CITRIS UC Santa Cruz Tech for Social Good Program's student project teams kick off
January 30, 2024
The 2023-24 CITRIS Tech for Social Good program at UC Santa Cruz started in January with kick-off meetings with the winning technology development track teams.
A new cohort of drone pilot students start in the 2024 CIDER Drone Pilot Training Program
January 30, 2024
The CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research (CIDER) welcomed its 2024 Drone Pilot Training Program cohort in an orientation session on January 8.
UC Santa Cruz provides international travel support to campus community
January 30, 2024
UC Santa Cruz is now providing expanded services to faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally.
Decarbonization & Electrification Town Hall Meeting
January 30, 2024
Add/Drop/Swap and Undergrad Part-Time Deadline Extended
January 29, 2024
Do tree-planting campaigns follow best practices for successful forest restoration?
January 29, 2024
Environmental Studies Professor Karen Holl's latest research reviewed publicly available information to see if there have been improvements in recent years in whether tree-planting organizations apply best practices for successful reforestation.
Demonstration at the base of campus today
January 26, 2024
UC Santa Cruz is anticipating a demonstration at the base of campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Friday, January 26).
Coastal Science & Policy Program celebrates five years at UC Santa Cruz
January 25, 2024
Coastal Science and Policy Program Director Anne Kapuscinski reflects on the last five years and looks ahead to the future.
National Endowment for the Humanities gives $60,000 award to two UCSC faculty members
January 24, 2024
The National Endowment for the Humanities included two UC Santa Cruz professors in their most recent round of grants and awards. Drs. Jennifer Derr and Stacy Kamehiro are using their newly awarded funding to continue in the projects that focus on diverse groups and global impacts.
Institute of Arts and Sciences announces new interdisciplinary initiative on climate change
January 24, 2024
A new multi-year initiative will bring together arts and science to start a conversation about marine biology and the effects of climate change. The new exhibit is set to premier in 2025, and the project is already in progress as the Friedlaender lab collaborates with nationally recognized artists.
Section of Hagar Road closed
January 23, 2024
A section of Hagar Road between Steinhart Way and just above the East Remote Parking Lot will remain closed until further notice. The heavy rain appears to have caused damage to the road.
Information security statement on generative AI
January 23, 2024
Although AI offers new and powerful capabilities for research and education, it also poses a potential risk to institutional data that UC Santa Cruz is legally and ethically obligated to protect.
Tech insider Guy Kawasaki to moderate panel featuring Jeremiah Owyang and Luca de Alfaro
January 23, 2024
“Artificial Intelligence in the Academic and For Profit Environments” will be hosted at UC Santa Cruz’s Silicon Valley campus on Jan. 30, beginning with a reception at 5:30p. The panel will start at 6p. More details are available here.
Renowned chef, food activist Bryant Terry to deliver keynote address at 40th Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation
January 23, 2024
Acclaimed chef, author, and food justice advocate Bryant Terry will deliver the keynote address at UC Santa Cruz’s 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Innovative PET technology will enable precise multitracer imaging of the brain
January 22, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Shiva Abbaszadeh is developing technology that will enable precise multitracer positron emission tomography imaging of the human body’s most complex organ with the support of a $4 million NIH grant.
Institute of the Arts & Sciences announces inaugural artists in the Coha Nowark Art + Science Residency Program
January 22, 2024
Duke University Press publishes Arts Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu’s new book: The Movies of Racial Childhoods
January 22, 2024
UC Santa Cruz’s Dean of the Arts Division, award-winning filmmaker and author publishes her fourth sole-written book, exploring contemporary representations of Asian American youth.
Call for participation: Campus roads Bike and Pedestrian Safety Study
January 22, 2024
The University of California, Santa Cruz has recently launched the Campus Roads Bike and Pedestrian Safety Study to identify safety enhancements and develop conceptual street designs for key campus corridors.
Terrie Williams honored with 2024 National Academy of Sciences Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
January 22, 2024
The National Academy of Sciences will honor 20 individuals with awards recognizing their extraordinary scientific achievements in a wide range of fields spanning the physical, biological, social, and medical sciences. Among the esteemed awardees is Terrie M. Williams, a comparative ecophysiologist from the University of California, Santa Cruz, who will be honored with the 2024 NAS Award in the Evolution of Earth and Life - Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal.
Students search for hidden black hole activity
January 18, 2024
When stars get too close to the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, the black holes shred them apart in a process called a tidal disruption event (TDE). These TDEs cause bright flashes, but recent models suggest that scientists should see more of them than have been observed.
UC Santa Cruz will lead development of next-generation telescope alignment system
January 18, 2024
The National Science Foundation recently awarded $3.9 million to researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz as the lead institution for the development of a next-gen telescope alignment system. The researchers will work with an international team to build and test systems in Santa Cruz and eventually install the final designs in seven telescopes at three ground-based observatory sites around the world.
UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience partnering with EY on Open Science Data Challenge on Coastal Resilience for students
January 18, 2024
Climate change is here, and so are its impacts on our communities. Globally, coastal hazards produce increasing costs, often to the most vulnerable populations. That’s why UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR) and the University of California Disaster Resilience Network (UCDRN) are partnering with EY on its 2024 Open Science Data Challenge, focused on coastal resilience. CCCR will be hosting an event on campus on Jan. 25 for interested undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty to learn more about this significant opportunity.
Insights from UCSC-made COVID-19 tracking tool will guide the future of studying pathogens in real time
January 17, 2024
A new paper by a team of UCSC pathogen genomicists offers guidance for the future of web tools for tracking pathogen evolution.
Smarter Balanced Unveils Initiative with IBM Consulting to Promote Responsible Use of AI in Educational Measurement
January 17, 2024
Today, Smarter Balanced announced a new initiative to develop measurement-focused principles and guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational assessments. With experience creating scalable, trustworthy AI strategies, IBM Consulting will collaborate with Smarter Balanced to build a foundational AI framework that can help accelerate enhancements in accessibility, accuracy, and fairness while minimizing bias.
UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division secures $1 million grant for Employing Humanities initiative
January 16, 2024
Investment from the Mellon Foundation will propel new program focused on experiential learning and career readiness for humanities students.
Alumni and professor authors return to UCSC
January 16, 2024
Ten alumni authors and two former professors will be featured in the Creative Writing Program’s Living Writers Reading Series in Jan. through March.
Leading the Change: Call for Interdisciplinary Proposals
January 12, 2024
I write to invite you to apply for the Leading the Change Collaborative Series. This series will support approximately two events per quarter from Spring 2024 through Winter 2025 that provide opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary conversations.
Training program helps prevent harassment in fieldwork environments
January 11, 2024
Fieldwork often puts researchers and students in remote environments that have unique challenges. The unusual setting of fieldwork can make sexual harassment and assault more likely, and it also calls for distinct approaches to prevent and respond to it. To address this systemic problem, University of Santa Cruz scientists developed a sexual harassment prevention and awareness training program specifically tailored to fieldwork environments.
UC Santa Cruz Division of Undergraduate Education appoints Shelly Grabe as new Provost of Rachel Carson College
January 9, 2024
The Division of Undergraduate Education at UC Santa Cruz proudly announces the appointment of Shelly Grabe as the new Provost of Rachel Carson College, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Grabe, a Professor of Social Psychology at UC Santa Cruz, brings a depth of experience in research, activism, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
UC Santa Cruz Division of Undergraduate Education appoints Soraya Murray as new Provost of Porter College
January 9, 2024
The Division of Undergraduate Education at UC Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the appointment of Soraya Murray as the new Provost of Porter College, effective July 1, 2024. Murray, an esteemed interdisciplinary scholar with a passion for mentorship, will bring a unique perspective to her new role.
Transfer Summit will convene to discuss transfer student experience
January 9, 2024
You are invited to attend the 2024 Transfer Summit on Friday January 12 from 2-5 PM at the Stevenson Event Center. The goal of the summit is to create a high-level shared understanding amongst faculty and staff of the many aspects of the transfer student experience.
Global study shows extreme short-term drought has even greater impacts on grasslands and shrublands than previously thought
January 8, 2024
UC Santa Cruz scientists supported a new global study showing that the effects of extreme short-term drought have been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands.
UCSC joins as founding member of new Action Collaborative to improve pathways for women of color in tech education and careers
December 20, 2023
UC Santa Cruz has joined a new Action Collaborative on transforming trajectories for women of color in tech which was launched by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and 35 other institutions representing higher education, national laboratories, and government.
Scholar, philanthropist Peggy Downes Baskin dies at 93
December 20, 2023
Peggy Downes Baskin, educator and scholar, advocate for women’s rights, and longtime philanthropic supporter of UC Santa Cruz, died at her home surrounded by her family on Dec. 11. She was 93.
J. Mijin Cha testifies on solutions to energy poverty before congressional subcommittee
December 18, 2023
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies J. Mijin Cha shared her insights on solutions that could make electricity more affordable for low-income families across America.
Nobuhiko Kobayashi elected to the 2023 National Academy of Inventors
December 15, 2023
Nobuhiko (Nobby) Kobayashi, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Resources for academics experiencing online harassment
December 15, 2023
A new campus guide provides information on potential steps that can be taken to prepare for and mitigate targeted online harassment and resources to support those targeted and department administrators in navigating these situations safely.
W.M. Keck Observatory appoints Rich Matsuda as director
December 14, 2023
The W. M. Keck Observatory today announced the appointment of Rich Matsuda as its next director, effective January 1, 2024.
Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy
December 12, 2023
In November 2020, UC announced a systemwide Gender Recognition and Lived Name (GRLN) Policy. The deadline for full compliance with the policy is December 31, 2023. There will be some changes to the current UCSC Preferred Name process which the campus will communicate in the new year.
CPEVC remarks on academic freedom at Fall Academic Senate Meeting
December 7, 2023
I write today to convey a portion of my remarks at the Fall Academic Senate meeting held on November 29, 2023. I’d like to share some thoughts about academic freedom.
Building community through Slug Stories at College Nine and John R Lewis
December 7, 2023
More than 200 students gathered on November 28 for Slug Stories, an annual College Nine and John R. Lewis College tradition. Live and in-person for the first time in three years, the event showcased nine impassioned students who told stories of life experiences that have shaped who they are today.
Cloud technologies bring organoids into undergraduate classrooms for the first time
December 5, 2023
For the first time, remote education tools have allowed undergraduate students to gain direct experience experimenting with cortical organoids grown at UC Santa Cruz.
Exceptions to campus closure 2023-2024
December 5, 2023
As in the past, the UC Santa Cruz campus will close during the holiday season in an effort to conserve energy at a time when the university business is generally slow. This year the campus will be closed from Monday, December 25, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024, re-opening on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Preparing the next generation of doctors
December 5, 2023
The University of California, Santa Cruz, an institution renowned for innovation, social justice, and sustainability, announces a unique Premed Postbaccalaureate Program focused on bridging looming healthcare gaps in California.
THI Graduate Public Fellows champion the relevance of Humanities education in a changing world
December 5, 2023
An innovative Public Fellowship Program at the Humanities Institute (THI) is showing the important real-world impact of doctoral students’ humanities skills and expertise and offering exciting possibilities for the future of graduate education and career pathways.
$50k Match for UCSC’s Holiday Food & Fund Drive
December 4, 2023
The UCSC Staff Advisory Board is excited to share with you that our UCSC community has received its largest Holiday Food & Fund Drive (HFFD) matching gift ever - a $50,000 matching gift from Tibi McCann and Eric Jensen!
Indigenous scientists awarded $9M to establish the first RADx Tribal data repository that upholds Indigenous data sovereignty
December 1, 2023
The National Institutes of Health announced funding for an Indigenous Data Repository led by Native scientists to help improve health in tribal communities and for all Indigenous Peoples.
Smart microgrids can restore power more efficiently and reliably in an outage
November 30, 2023
A new AI model that optimizes the use of renewables and other energy sources outperforms traditional power restoration techniques for islanded microgrids, a new paper from Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Yu Zhang shows.
Philanthropist and advocate Rowland Rebele dies at age 93
November 30, 2023
Rowland Rebele, a distinguished publisher, philanthropist, homeless advocate, and unwavering supporter of the arts, died Saturday, Nov. 25, at the age of 93. His indomitable spirit and fervent commitment to Santa Cruz have left an indelible imprint on both the community and the UC Santa Cruz campus.
Funding opportunities to develop UC Santa Cruz innovations
November 29, 2023
The Innovation & Business Engagement Hub is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities to advance innovations being developed at UC Santa Cruz.
UCSC’s 2023 iGEM team grabs fourth consecutive gold medal and nomination for best software tool at international competition
November 29, 2023
A team of UC Santa Cruz students won a gold medal at the 2023 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Grand Jamboree, marking their fourth consecutive year of bringing home the prize, and were nominated as best software tool for the first time.
UCPath Direct Deposit Phishing Alert
November 29, 2023
There is an ongoing phishing attempt targeting UC employees that aims to gain access to your paycheck and reroute your direct deposit.
2023 list of most highly cited researchers includes 18 UC Santa Cruz scientists and engineers
November 29, 2023
In a notable recognition of scholarly achievement, 18 scientists and engineers from UC Santa Cruz have earned a spot on the 2023 Highly Cited Researchers list, recently unveiled by Clarivate.
New eDNA Explorer provides a powerful new resource for conservation
November 28, 2023
CALeDNA has launched a prototype of their new eDNA Explorer, an open-source tool that provides a powerful and easily accessible platform for sharing, exploring, and analyzing data from projects that use environmental DNA.
Chancellor Larive elected to board of the Association of American Universities
November 28, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Visits set for Director of Athletics & Recreation candidates
November 28, 2023
Beginning Monday, December 11 and continuing through Friday, December 15, campus will conduct final in-person interviews in the search for the director of Athletics & Recreation.
Dwarf planet Eris is squishier than expected
November 28, 2023
University of California, Santa Cruz Professor of Planetary Sciences Francis Nimmo recently co-authored a Science Advances paper about the internal structure of the dwarf planet Eris.
UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education upgrades its Semiconductor and VLSI Engineering Certificate to address skilled professional shortage and industry growth
November 28, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Professional Education is proud to announce the upgrade of its Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering Certificate program (Formerly known as VLSI and Semiconductor Engineering), aimed at alleviating the shortage of skilled professionals in the industry and meeting the growing demands of the semiconductor sector.
Linda Koval’s three-decade commitment
November 22, 2023
Alumna Linda Koval understands the challenges students face and wants to help break down barriers. She has supported UCSC through her time and resources for nearly three decades.
Campus to eliminate enrollment adjustment fees effective January
November 21, 2023
UC Santa Cruz is eliminating three long-standing enrollment adjustment fees, including the $10 Removal of Incomplete Fee.
Environmental toxicologist Don Smith receives Outstanding Faculty Award
November 21, 2023
Don Smith, distinguished professor of microbiology and environmental toxicology, has been awarded the 2022-2023 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. The annual award is the division’s highest honor for faculty achievement, recognizing combined excellence in research, teaching, and service.
UC Santa Cruz faculty member elected president of Sociologists for Women in Society
November 21, 2023
Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Sylvanna Falcón was recently elected president of Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS). Falcón’s term in the position will start at the beginning of 2024.
New book shares expertise from UC Santa Cruz and beyond on preparing students to tackle environmental justice issues
November 21, 2023
A new book developed by UC Santa Cruz faculty and staff offers teaching examples, strategies, and classroom tools to help integrate environmental justice into courses in ways that center equity.
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Seeyade Gizachew shares insights one year after UCSC graduation
November 20, 2023
A health justice coordinator for RYSE Youth Center in Richmond, California, and a graduate student at UC Berkeley, Seeyade Gizachew (Stevenson ’22, community studies and psychology) is passionate about mentoring, education, and cultivating safe spaces.
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Maxwell Ward follows his dreams one year after UCSC graduation
November 20, 2023
One year after graduating from UCSC, Maxwell Ward (Cowell ’22, history of art and visual culture and anthropology) is pursuing a Ph.D. in anthropology with a focus on archaeology from McGill University in Quebec and is an editor at Collective Research in Anthropology Journal.
Life Beyond the Redwoods: Teresa Faasolo reflects on her educational journey one year after graduating from UCSC
November 20, 2023
A year after graduating with a B.S. in computer engineering from UCSC, Teresal Faasolo (Merrill ’22) is a software quality assurance engineer at Digital Dynamics, Inc., based in Scotts Valley.
Fishing chimpanzees found to enjoy termites as a seasonal treat
November 17, 2023
A UCSC-led research team that copied chimpanzee tools and techniques showed that chimpanzees living in western Tanzania can only reliably fish for termites in the early wet season.
François Monard honored with Calderón Prize for inverse problems work
November 17, 2023
University of California, Santa Cruz professor of mathematics François Monard has received the prestigious Calderón Prize for his work in the field of inverse problems.
UCSC doctoral graduate wins prestigious Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists
November 16, 2023
Jessica Kendall-Bar, who received her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology last year from UC Santa Cruz with co-advisors Terrie Williams and Dan Costa, was named a recipient of the prestigious Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists for her research on elephant seal sleep habits while they are at sea.
UCSC alumnus at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
November 16, 2023
UC Santa Cruz alumnus Peter Gelpi is at the forefront of efforts to feed Ukrainians displaced by the war against Russia.
Brain-inspired AI code library passes major milestone, new paper offers perspective on future of field
November 16, 2023
UCSC Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Jason Eshraghian's open source code library for brain-inspired deep learning, called “snnTorch,” has surpassed 100,000 downloads and is used in a wide variety of projects. A new paper details the code and offers a perspective on the future of the field.
UC Santa Cruz will lead new systemwide basic needs consortium to bring together researchers and practitioners
November 16, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance will become the UC Santa Cruz Center for Economic Justice and Action, taking on a new leadership role in University of California basic needs efforts that enhance students’ access to food, housing, and other essential resources.
World-renowned supernova expert honored for breakthrough contributions to astronomy
November 16, 2023
Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.
Open enrollment ends Friday at 5 p.m. UC
November 15, 2023
Worldwide leaders convene to protect, advance global biodiversity
November 15, 2023
With a focus on sustaining and strengthening global biodiversity in the face of climate change, UC Santa Cruz hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation University Leaders' Forum, bringing together nearly 100 international leaders in education, industry, and government.
UC Santa Cruz welcomes new director of Audit and Management Advisory Services
November 14, 2023
Amy Kozak has been named UC Santa Cruz’s new director of Audit and Management Advisory Services. She started her role Monday, November 13.
A major new site expansion at Lick Observatory is on the horizon
November 14, 2023
Lick Observatory's positioning in the Northern Hemisphere enables observation of a substantial portion of the Milky Way galaxy where there are a multitude of stars, billions of potential sites for life. Making Lick Observatory a perfect home for PANOSETI, or "Panoramic SETI or Pulse All-sky Near Infrared Optical SETI."
Central Coast K-16 Education Collaborative receives $18.1 million grant to revolutionize student pathways and bridge equity gaps
November 14, 2023
The Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative has been awarded an $18.1 million, three-year grant through California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) to establish new or expand existing pathways for career opportunities and to address long-standing equity gaps for students across the region.
UCSC’s 2023 United Way Employee Campaign now underway
November 14, 2023
2023 UCSC United Way campaign has officially launched. The 2023 campaign - United in Purpose - centers the increased impact we can have when we come together, united in a common goal.
New open access course – data-driven animation for science communication
November 14, 2023
The Teaching & Learning Center at UC Santa Cruz is delighted to announce that Dr. Jessica Kendall-Bar has created an open access version of her Data-Driven Animation for Science Communication course, which is now freely available on the Coursera platform.
Policies regarding academic freedom and political advocacy in the classroom
November 13, 2023
I write today to draw attention, and provide references, to University of California policy regarding academic freedom and political advocacy in the classroom and other instructional spaces.
Upholding community responsibilities
November 13, 2023
As our community members seek to have their voices heard and to engage in protest, it is crucial not to let the overwhelming nature of the pain we feel cause us to abandon our obligations to each other.
Giving Day 2023 breaks records
November 9, 2023
Giving Day, UC Santa Cruz’s biggest fundraising event of the year, wraps up on a high note.
Prescribed burns near campus today and tomorrow
November 8, 2023
California State Parks has announced that it will be conducting prescribed burns in Wilder Ranch today, November 8, and tomorrow, Nov. 9.
Award winning composer and television producer Ken Corday returns to campus for music recital
November 7, 2023
UC Santa Cruz alumnus Ken Corday will perform a solo piano recital on Nov. 17 at UCSC’s Music Center.
Communication, connection and inclusion are priorities for 2023 Outstanding Staff Awardee
November 7, 2023
Monique Leduc has been a valued member of the UC Santa Cruz community for 34 years, starting as an assistant analyst in the Financial Aid office in 1989. Six years later, she moved to the office that became Financial Affairs and has worked there ever since.
UC Santa Cruz students win three categories at Orange County Sustainability Decathlon
November 7, 2023
An interdisciplinary team of UC Santa Cruz students, many from the Rachel Carson College Sustainability Minor program, designed and built EcoHus, an innovative, affordable, net-zero house. The EcoHus team was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to participate in the 2023 Orange County Sustainability Decathlon (OCSD) held on Oct. 5-15, where they won first place in three categories, and secured second and third place in other categories.
Celebrating Election Heroes
November 7, 2023
November 6 was Election Hero Day, a civic holiday honoring the heroes of American democracy. UC Santa Cruz wants to celebrate the tremendous contributions our students have made, ensuring a safe, secure, and accessible voting experience for everyone in the campus community.
True or false? How uncertainty about the accuracy of information affects learning
November 2, 2023
UC Santa Cruz postdoctoral scholar Karen Arcos, Assistant Professor of Psychology Hannah Hausman, and Department Chair of Psychology Benjamin Storm published new research that explores how the process of guessing whether information is true or not might affect learning.
Immigrants targeted by scams are seeking justice. Here’s how to help them get it
November 1, 2023
Assistant Professor of Sociology Juan Manuel Pedroza's research has identified trends in what types of justice immigrants who have been targeted by scams are seeking and offers recommendations for policymakers and law enforcement agencies on how to expand access to justice.
Irene Lusztig’s Film Richland Explores a Town Grappling with its Ties to the Atomic Bomb
November 1, 2023
Irene Lusztig's latest film, Richland, tells the story of the town of the same name. The film opened at Tribeca and at the prestigious International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, it was selected to be part of the program "Signed."
Seeing “One Too Many Racist Musicals” is What Led Preston Choi to be a Playwright
November 1, 2023
Rebecca Wear, professor of Performance, Play and Design, will direct the student production of "You'll Get Used to It" at UC Santa Cruz on Nov. 3-12, 2023.
Emeritus Rex: Tackling the role of King Lear by Professor Emeritus Paul Whitworth
November 1, 2023
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theatre, Paul Whitworth discusses Shakespeare’s ‘retirement’ play, King Lear. Whitworth asks: what happens when you decide to step down and face the last years of your life?
Coral reefs identified as national natural infrastructure
October 31, 2023
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) approved a resolution on Oct. 26 that designates coral reefs along U.S. states and territories as national infrastructure. This resolution makes it easier to direct federal funding, particularly infrastructure, hazard mitigation, and disaster recovery monies, to reef conservation and restoration to protect people, property, and livelihoods.
Slug Gaming looks to level up presence on campus
October 31, 2023
Slug Gaming, a student group for casual and competitive esports players, want to increase campus support for their players and foster a strong sense of community for gamers at UCSC.
Search launches for UC Santa Cruz’s AVC for Planning, Design and Construction
October 31, 2023
Multidisciplinary team will develop advanced rhizosphere carbon imaging for climate change research with support of major DOE grant
October 30, 2023
A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University are leading a new project in which they aim to use dynamic imaging and modeling of carbon in the rhizosphere to answer longstanding questions about how carbon moves through the soil and plant root interface.
Supporting our campus community amid the ongoing Middle East conflict
October 30, 2023
The days to come will continue to be difficult, and we hope we all can continue to search for common ground, strive for respectful dialogue, and seek support from friends, family, and the campus community.
Open Enrollment 2023 for UC Faculty & Staff Starts Today
October 26, 2023
Bacteria can enhance host insect’s fertility with implications for disease control
October 24, 2023
New research led at UC Santa Cruz reveals how the bacteria strain Wolbachia pipientis enhances the fertility of the insects it infects, an insight that could help scientists increase the populations of mosquitoes that do not carry human disease.
Cruzin' to Campus: Five Essential Bicycle Safety Tips for Slugs
October 24, 2023
Safety should always be a top priority when pedaling your way across campus and around the city.
Remembering the grave injustices to Japanese-Americans in the 1940s through female activism
October 24, 2023
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Cowell College’s Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery launched a two-month exhibition entitled “Never Again is Now: Japanese American Women Activists and the Legacy of the Mass Incarceration.” The exhibit — on display through Dec. 2 — features artwork and historical renderings of women’s memories surrounding this time period, including challenges to racial and gender stereotypes, promotions of intergenerational ties, and developed coalitions of years past.
Sara Ruhl’s Eurydice is the perfect play for a college campus
October 24, 2023
In Sarah Ruhl’s play, Eurydice, coming to the UC Santa Cruz on November 10, the story is about the title character.
Deadline Approaching for Innovation Impact Award Nominations
October 24, 2023
Working to improve clarity for patients assessing their genetic breast cancer risk
October 23, 2023
A project to expedite the analysis of variants on the BRCA 1 and 2 genes, the most commonly affected genes in breast cancer cases, will help more people to better understand their cancer risk.
Creative Technologies, new online major in Arts Division, first of its kind on any UC campus
October 23, 2023
The Arts Division’s new Creative Technologies online major is the first of its kind on any UC campus.
Winter Curtailment 2023-2024
October 19, 2023
Our 2023-24 winter curtailment will run from Monday, December 25, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2024.
Rebates can offer solutions to California’s groundwater woes
October 18, 2023
Many aquifers in California and around the world are being drained of their groundwater because of the combined impacts of excess pumping, shifts in land use, and climate change. However, a new study by scientists at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley, published on Oct.18 in Nature Water, may offer a solution - it describes the development and operation of a novel incentive program that uses water rebates to pay for some of the costs of getting stormwater runoff into the ground. The program is called recharge net metering (ReNeM).
Recognizing outstanding faculty and staff in the Division of Social Sciences
October 18, 2023
The Social Sciences Division’s annual fall breakfast gathered faculty and staff to celebrate the winners of four major divisional awards.
Campus Fire Safety
October 17, 2023
For more than a decade, UC Santa Cruz has been a smoke-free campus. Under California law, “unlawfully causing a fire that recklessly sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forest land or property is a felony punishable with both imprisonment and fines.”
Long-term plan to end use of fossil fuels at UCSC is released
October 17, 2023
The Decarbonization and Electrification (D&E) Task Force has released a long-term campus plan to end the use of fossil fuel at UC Santa Cruz and move to 100 percent clean and renewable energy sources.
Slugworks welcomes students across campus to new creative space
October 16, 2023
Slugworks, a new creatorspace on campus located in the Jack Baskin Engineering building, is open to the campus community.
UCSC Giving Day ignites philanthropy and community spirit
October 12, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s biggest fundraising event, returns on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
FUTURE in Biology program receives NSF grant to explore field courses as a tool for equity
October 12, 2023
A group of researchers at UC Santa Cruz recently received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study the impacts of these field courses and develop best practices for making them more accessible.
Three climate resilience projects supported by 2023 CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program
October 10, 2023
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute and the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub collaborated to fund three projects focused on climate resilience and that align with developing solutions that address some of the California's most pressing climate challenges.
Prescribed burns near campus beginning Oct. 10
October 9, 2023
California State Parks has announced that it will be conducting prescribed burns in Wilder Ranch and Año Nuevo State Parks October 10-13 and potentially beyond those dates throughout the month of October.
Statement on Israel-Hamas conflict
October 9, 2023
We have watched with deep sadness the unfolding violence in Israel and Gaza, and we are gravely concerned at the escalating conflict across the region. Our hearts go out to everyone in harm’s way and all who have been affected.
Cal-Bridge awarded $4 million to diversify STEM
October 9, 2023
The Cal-Bridge program, which supports students from historically underserved backgrounds in STEM, was recently awarded $4 million in the 2023-2024 California state budget. The funding will provide scholarships, mentorship and professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students around the state in physics and astronomy, computer science, and math.
System-wide leaders visit campus to discuss next steps in Agricultural Experiment Station designation
October 9, 2023
A group from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources visited UC Santa Cruz to discuss implementation for the campus’s official designation as an Agricultural Experiment Station.
Invitation to the SAB Virtual Fall Forum on October 18th
October 6, 2023
The Staff Advisory Board enthusiastically invites you to attend its Fall Forum with Chancellor Cynthia Larive on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023.
Honoring a legacy: Memorial scholarship empowers students making an impact
October 5, 2023
UCSC iGEM 2023 addressing harmful algal blooms through synthetic biology
October 4, 2023
A team of UCSC undergraduate students is designing and assembling a plasmid that targets the toxic genes of a type of freshwater bacteria responsible for harmful algal blooms.
From tech to arts, new leaders elected to join UC Santa Cruz Foundation Board of Trustees
October 4, 2023
The UC Santa Cruz Foundation has elected six new trustees who are established leaders across a range of industries, from fiber optics and scientific operations to media, arts, and community service.
Launching our new strategic plan, Leading the Change
October 3, 2023
We are thrilled to launch Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan, the culmination of a campuswide conversation during the 2022-23 academic year to craft a collective vision for our future.
Welcome Week brings events, energy and enthusiasm to campus community
October 3, 2023
In celebration of the start of the fall quarter and in an effort to empower a new class of students to connect with campus, UCSC hosted an array of high-energy and highly attended, Welcome Week activities. This story provides highlights from those activities and events.
UC Santa Cruz releases new strategic plan, forms implementation executive committee
October 3, 2023
Marking the culmination of a year-long campuswide conversation to craft a shared vision for the future, UC Santa Cruz today is launching "Leading the Change: The UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan" and has formed an executive committee to guide and support its implementation.
Nominations open for Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards
October 3, 2023
Nominations are open for the Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards Program (IIAP) Innovator of the Year category. This program celebrates UC Santa Cruz’s faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners and the transformational work they do.
Biotech founder and hero of the Human Genome Project joins UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute as Executive Director
October 2, 2023
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute has selected scientist, entrepreneur, and executive Lauren Linton as their new Executive Director.
Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution
October 2, 2023
A study led by UC Santa Cruz postdoctoral scholar of Genomics & Bioinformatics Erik Enbody paints a dynamic picture of how species adapt to changing environments.
Protect Your Digital Life – Be CyberSafe!
October 2, 2023
Every October, our campus actively engages in UC Cybersecurity Awareness Month (UCCAM), a nationwide initiative focused on heightening awareness of information security both at work and at home.
Free Arivu concert, Festival of Monsters, and special exhibitions: celebrating National Arts & Humanities Month at UCSC
September 29, 2023
UCSC will celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month in October with an array of cultural and artistic happenings, including a free open-air concert by the massively popular Indian rapper Arivu on October 7. Another highlight will be the annual Festival of Monsters, which starts on Friday the 13th.
Kresge College celebrates first phase of renovation
September 28, 2023
Ribbon-cutting event marks the official opening of new residential halls and academic center.
Anthropology faculty members partner on new National Science Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science
September 28, 2023
UC Santa Cruz anthropology faculty members Tsim Schneider and Jon Daehnke received a more than $500,000 subaward through a new National Science Foundation (NSF) center that aims to address climate change by equitably combining insights from Indigenous knowledges and mainstream "Western" sciences.
US Department of Agriculture visits UC Santa Cruz to learn about research and workforce development projects
September 28, 2023
UC Santa Cruz faculty, staff, and students shared information about USDA-funded research and education projects on campus with special guests from the USDA.
Chancellor’s Update: Celebrating the start of a new academic year!
September 28, 2023
This fall feels especially energized, as in addition to welcoming new and returning students, we are swinging open the doors to our stunning new Rachel Carson/Oakes College Dining Hall, and unveiling phase one of our Kresge College revitalization and expansion.
UCSC’s David Deamer and Mark Akeson honored for invention of nanopore sequencing
September 27, 2023
UCSC's David Deamer and Mark Akeson won the AAAS Golden Goose award for the invention of nanopore sequencing, a transformational technology for reading DNA and RNA.
New WiFi service for educational and smart devices
September 27, 2023
Information Technology Services (ITS) is pleased to announce a new campus WiFi service for educational and smart devices.
Research partnership will turn power plant emissions into fish feed
September 27, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s ecological aquaculture research team will partner with the company Global Algae Innovations to test whether a microalgae grown using captured carbon dioxide emissions could be an effective feed ingredient for rainbow trout.
CITRIS Core Seed Funding Program open for submissions
September 26, 2023
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute invite proposals for their Core Seed Funding Program.
UC Santa Cruz welcomes new faculty to campus
September 26, 2023
UC Santa Cruz welcomes 54 new faculty members to campus who bring a wide array of expertise in research and creative scholarship that will open new areas of investigation and expression and expand existing areas of work.
UCSC faculty member co-chaired APA task force on obstacles to promotion, tenure, and retention for psychology faculty of color
September 21, 2023
Psychology Professor Margarita Azmitia co-chaired an American Psychological Association (APA) task force that was appointed to report on obstacles to promotion, tenure, and retention for psychology faculty of color.
Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Alumni Award Recipients
September 20, 2023
Seven UCSC alumni will be presented with awards for demonstrating outstanding professional achievements, making distinct contributions to society, providing impactful contributions to UC Santa Cruz, and embodying the values and spirit of the university.
Campus air quality
September 20, 2023
Over the next several days, the air quality in the region is expected to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” overnight and into the morning.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week: Featuring Priya Crosby and Will DeRocco
September 20, 2023
National Postdoc Appreciation Week, organized by the National Postdoc Association (NPA) since 2009, takes place this year from September 18-22. This year, the UC Santa Cruz Science Division is highlighting the work of two outstanding postdocs: Priya Crosby and Will DeRocco.
Innovation Catalyst Grants help early-stage innovators with resources, training, and financial support
September 19, 2023
Two UC Santa Cruz research teams that can make impactful advancements in drug discovery and human health outcomes have been chosen as recipients of the university’s inaugural Innovation Catalyst Grants program. These new grants, administered by the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, are designed to support and propel early-stage technology innovations developed by UCSC researchers.
CITL and Online Education are now the Teaching and Learning Center
September 19, 2023
The merger officially brings together the expertise of both units to support the campus as it navigates the contemporary instructional landscape and strives to become a learner-centered research university.
Fund your student research project or event with the 2023 CITRIS Tech for Social Good program
September 19, 2023
The Tech for Social Good program provides up to $5,000 in funding for research projects and up to $1,000 for events.
Reimagining digital presence, UC Santa Cruz debuts new homepage
September 19, 2023
Creating a digital presence that reflects excellence and impact, UC Santa Cruz debuted today a new homepage with a modern and responsive design, crisp language, stunning photos, and compelling videos.
Campus plan for transportation, parking, and traffic impacts during move-in
September 18, 2023
UC Santa Cruz is preparing to welcome more than 9,000 residential students during this year’s Move-In event, taking place starting Thursday, September 21, and concluding Wednesday, September 27.
UC Santa Cruz Computer Game Design program ranked top five in the nation by U.S. News and World Report
September 18, 2023
The Computer Game Design program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was listed in the top five best game/simulation development programs in the nation according to rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report.
The opportunity to transform futures
September 15, 2023
With the generous support of donors, UCSC’s Institute for Social Transformation funded 12 students to pursue internships over the summer through the Transforming Futures program.
PG&E, UC Santa Cruz meet to proactively, collaboratively plan for electrical needs
September 14, 2023
To proactively and collaboratively plan for the future, leaders with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and UC Santa Cruz met to discuss efforts to advance sustainability, increase service reliability, and prepare for increased campus electrical power demand.
2023 ARCS Foundation scholarships support UCSC graduate students in the sciences and engineering
September 11, 2023
Sixteen UC Santa Cruz graduate students have received scholarships worth a total of $175,000 from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year.
Empowering dreams
September 7, 2023
Alumna Birong Hu’s generous gift to Girls in Engineering paves the way for a new era of engineers, unlocking boundless opportunities and transforming futures.
Alumnus Kevin Lunzalu wins major award for his work in plastics pollution reduction around the world
September 7, 2023
UCSC alumnus Kevin Lunzalu received an award from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This award is one of just 23 awarded to individuals and nonprofits across the globe from the first-ever inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Program.
Novel device combines nanopores with electronic signals for disease detection
September 6, 2023
Research led by UC Santa Cruz Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Marco Rolandi shows the power of bioprotonic nanopores for disease detection.
Campus leaders showcase innovation, entrepreneurship efforts to special Regents committee
September 5, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive and other campus leaders showcased the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives to a group of UC regents and external advisors on Monday.
Notice of policy action – Policy on Vaccination Programs
September 5, 2023
The Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions was updated with interim revisions effective August 16, 2023. A systemwide review of this policy will take place in Fall 2023, with an expected issuance/effective date in early 2024.
Fall course materials needed
September 5, 2023
The Bay Tree Campus Store is calling all faculty members to submit their course adoptions for the fall quarter as soon as possible to guarantee textbook availability at the best price for UCSC students.
UCSC welcomes new Title IX director
September 5, 2023
Julie Lewis has been named UC Santa Cruz’s new Title IX director. She started her role on August 21, 2023.
GREAT program creates new opportunities for students to participate in research
September 1, 2023
This summer, the “Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity” (GREAT) programmed welcomed six students from California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) to an intensive eight-week research program at UC Santa Cruz.
New blood test for noncoding RNA significantly improves cancer detection
August 31, 2023
Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Daniel Kim and his lab are developing more accurate and powerful liquid biopsy technologies that take advantage of signals from RNA “dark matter,” an understudied area of the genome.
Five UC Santa Cruz projects win California Climate Action Grant funding
August 31, 2023
Millions of dollars in new funding will support UC Santa Cruz and partners in tackling some of California's toughest climate change challenges through innovative research and community engagement.
Coastal fisheries show surprising resilience to marine heatwaves
August 30, 2023
Researchers found that fish biomass often increased or was unaffected in the year following a marine heatwave.
The sky’s the limit: Becca Fenwick gives research and education a new perspective with drone tech
August 29, 2023
The CITRIS principal investigator and director of the CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research at UC Santa Cruz advances wildland management, ecology research and workforce development with uncrewed aerial vehicles and remote sensing systems
10 mysteries of the Y chromosome
August 23, 2023
Researchers have just completed the first full sequence of a Y chromosome — what will we learn?
Scientists release the first complete sequence of a human Y chromosome
August 23, 2023
Scientists have completed the first full sequence of a human Y chromosome, completing the set of end-to-end human chromosomes and helping researchers to better understand human reproduction, evolution, and population change.
Campus acts to protect rare cave habitat
August 22, 2023
Earlier this month, as part of a new approach to protect this unique habitat, a crew from the campus carpentry shop installed a wildlife-friendly gate across the Empire Cave entrance. Access is now limited to education, research, and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.
Nearly $1 million in USDA grants will support 3 UCSC-led agricultural technology projects
August 17, 2023
Three UC Santa Cruz research teams led by engineering faculty will pursue innovative agriculture technology projects with the support of seed grants from the USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
UCSC computer science student selected into Major League Hacking’s top 50 list
August 15, 2023
Rising second-year computer science student Marina Lee was chosen out of a community of 150,000 hackers for her outstanding work in developing accessible STEM education programming and building an inclusive hacking community.
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences presents West Coast Premiere of Maria Gaspar: Compositions
August 15, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of the Arts and Sciences, is opening a new exhibition beginning on September 26, 2023 that goes through March 3, 2024. Entitled Maria Gaspar: Compositions, it is the first West Coast solo exhibition by the Chicago-based, Guggenheim-winning artist.
Marine scientists explore the future of open data science
August 15, 2023
Alexa Fredston, an assistant professor of ocean sciences considers open science to be a vital part of their academic career and a key way to make the field of marine science more transparent and inclusive. They recently published an article in the journal Annual Review of Marine Science about improving open data science practices within marine science.
Researchers’ tool finds bias in state-of-the-art generative AI model
August 10, 2023
UCSC researchers introduce a new tool to measure bias in text-to-image AI generation models, which they have used to quantify bias in the state-of-the-art model Stable Diffusion.
UC Santa Cruz welcomes vibrant and talented incoming class
August 8, 2023
The University of California, Santa Cruz is preparing to welcome more than 5,500 new Banana Slugs to campus this fall, reflecting its commitment to providing equitable access and a transformational experience.
A childhood cancer survivor becomes a cancer researcher
August 7, 2023
This summer, 15-year-old Robert McCabe helped to sequence and analyze a tumor sample in the lab of the UC Santa Cruz Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative.
Student-supported global research compares regional relationships with Big Pharma
August 3, 2023
Recent UC Santa Cruz graduates helped to author a study on the strategies governments use to attract and manage the biopharmaceutical industry, focusing in particular on the different types of economic value and health value that these efforts provide, or fail to provide, to citizens.
UCSC students behind bus tracking app selected as only U.S. team in Google Solution Challenge’s top 10
July 31, 2023
The competition, which invites thousands of students worldwide to compete, tasks students to come up with technical solutions that contribute to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development goals.
Golden-crowned sparrows return to overwintering sites in part because of their friends
July 31, 2023
Golden-crowned sparrows return to the same wintering sites each year after migrating thousands of miles. But their precision — which is often within the tens of meters — depends in part on the return of their friends.
Engineering faculty take on innovative climate resilience projects
July 28, 2023
Engineering professors are leading three major projects to address climate crisis issues with funding from UCSC’s newly launched Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.
Latin American & Latino Studies students win big in awards, fellowships
July 28, 2023
Four doctoral candidates in the Latin American and Latino Studies Department received awards that will help propel them forward in their graduate trajectory.
NSF graduate fellowship winner reflects on successes at UC Santa Cruz
July 26, 2023
Graduating senior and NSF-GRFP recipient Valery Ortiz shares about her experience at UC Santa Cruz, her involvement with STEM Diversity, and what she hopes for the future.
First DNA analysis of Machu Picchu residents offers insight into Inca society
July 26, 2023
DNA analysis, conducted largely at UC Santa Cruz's Paleogenomics Lab and led by Anthropology Professor Lars Fehren-Schmitz, suggests that servants at Machu Picchu were a uniquely diverse group, and the geographic extent of ancestral origins may even challenge historical narratives about how and when the Inca Empire expanded.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant will expand pediatric cancer research at UCSC
July 25, 2023
A new $100,000 grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation will provide UC Santa Cruz’s Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative funding to expand efforts to study rare pediatric cancers.
Celebrating the success of a human-centered approach to supporting emerging scientists
July 21, 2023
Graduate school admissions, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship awards, and American Astronomical Society honors mark a banner year for UCSC's Lamat Institute.
New data science project seeks to span disciplines and create community
July 19, 2023
Pedro Morales-Almazan leads a new data science project that will provide professional development and facilitate cross-discipline collaborations.
Alumni Dr. Justin Cummings serves his community county and statewide
July 19, 2023
As the first African American man to be elected to the Santa Cruz City Council in 2018 and Mayor in 2020, the first African American person to serve on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, and newly appointed member of the California Coastal Commission, Dr. Justin Cummings is making an impact in his community.
To support Hispanic women in STEM, UC Santa Cruz hosts inaugural HSRU Alliance conference
July 13, 2023
Convened by the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, an inaugural cohort from universities, government, foundations, and industry met at UC Santa Cruz to discuss and develop a framework to support the advancement of Hispanic women in their academic and professional STEM careers.
Announcing Associate Campus Provost for Academic Success
July 11, 2023
Jody Greene, Professor of Literature, and Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning in Academic Affairs, will join the Campus Provost's office as Associate Campus Provost for Academic Success, starting July 1, 2023.
Announcing new AVC for Staff Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer
July 11, 2023
Kamala Green will be joining Staff Human Resources (SHR) as our next Associate Vice Chancellor for Staff Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer effective July 17.
Volunteer who helped keep the Seymour Center open is honored
July 10, 2023
Dale Bieser, one of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center's long-time volunteers, was recognized with the Be the Difference Award - Individual Honoree by the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. Over the past 12 years, she has become a vital member of their team.
UCSC Alumna Madison Nguyen prepares for 2024 Santa Clara Board of Supervisors run
July 6, 2023
Madison Nguyen (Rachel Carson ’97, History) was born in Vietnam. When she was four, she and her family escaped in a fishing boat, eventually arriving in California. With support from her community, family, and UCSC, she has forged a strong and inspiring career in service.
UC Santa Cruz’s global impact grows as campus becomes next leader of Right Livelihood College network
July 6, 2023
As the Global Secretariat of the Right Livelihood College, UC Santa Cruz students and faculty to work directly with some of the world’s leading advocates in social justice and sustainability on education, scientific research, and practical activities that spread and upscale their work.
UCSC Earth and planetary sciences professor reflects on 35 years at UC Santa Cruz
July 6, 2023
After a very rewarding career at UC Santa Cruz, Susan Schwartz is retiring.
New Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research: Csilla Csaplar
July 6, 2023
Csilla Csaplar joined UC Santa Cruz on July 6 as the new Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research. Csilla joins UCSC from Stanford University, where she has served as Director of Engineering Research Administration in the School of Engineering for the past six years. At Stanford, Csilla was responsible for all the sponsored research activity for nine School of Engineering departments, approximately 275 faculty, 1,000 awards, and $150 million annually.
Alumni on the frontlines of dental care
July 5, 2023
Through a partnership with Delta Dental of California, and two local nonprofits, alumni Anita Aguirre, Kenzie Ferguson, and Kristyn Glenn are changing the landscape of dental care accessibility in Santa Cruz County.
Statement on Supreme Court decision on equal rights
June 30, 2023
We are dismayed to see the U.S. Supreme Court chipping away at the legal protections and freedoms of same-sex couples and people in additional protected classes.
Statement on Supreme Court decision on Biden’s student loan forgiveness
June 30, 2023
Today’s Supreme Court ruling rejecting President Biden’s plan to forgive more than $400 billion in student loan debt is deeply disappointing to the 26 million borrowers who stood to benefit — thousands of Banana Slug alumni certainly among them.
Study shows significant decline of snow cover in the Northern hemisphere over the last half century
June 29, 2023
Professor and Statistics Department Chair Robert Lund collaborated on a new study that uses rigorous mathematical models and statistical methods and finds declining snow cover in many parts of the northern hemisphere over the last half century.
UC Santa Cruz models accessible and inclusive admissions
June 29, 2023
The University of California, Santa Cruz has long employed holistic methods to recruit, evaluate, and support applicants through the decision making process, aiming to enroll a student body that reflects the diverse population of California to prepare alumni to become global citizens.
Statement on Supreme Court decision regarding college admissions
June 29, 2023
Taken together with other federal and state actions across the country, today’s decision is not simply about admissions, but the latest attempt to dismantle evidence-based efforts aimed at reducing systemic barriers to opportunity experienced by historically marginalized populations, including communities of color.
UCSC’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience awards over $4.6 million to support California coastal projects
June 28, 2023
The UCSC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience has awarded over $4.6 million in funding to 23 UC Santa Cruz research groups for pilot projects and implementation projects supporting efforts to fight climate change in coastal communities across California and beyond. Funds for these grant programs came from the California State Budget Act of 2022-23.
White House cites economist Rob Fairlie’s research on Native American entrepreneurship
June 27, 2023
The Biden-Harris Administration cited research by UC Santa Cruz Economics Professor Rob Fairlie on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact for Native American-owned businesses.
Q&A with John MacMillan, vice chancellor for research
June 27, 2023
After nearly two years as the interim Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) for UC Santa Cruz, John MacMillan was appointed to the permanent VCR role on June 1, 2023, after a nationwide search. Here he discusses his vision for UC Santa Cruz and its research enterprise.
UC Santa Cruz receives $10 million grant to cultivate diverse food and agriculture professionals
June 22, 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture awarded the University of California, Santa Cruz a $10 million grant to lead a transformative five-year project. The funding will be leveraged to serve and uplift a broad range of students and community members, ensuring a lasting impact on the food and agriculture sector.
Katia Obraczka appointed director of CITRIS at UC Santa Cruz
June 15, 2023
Katia Obraczka, professor of Computer Science and Engineering, has been appointed director of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz
Campus update: Quarter ends today, congrats to new graduates, still time to enroll in Summer Session
June 15, 2023
Today marks the final day of spring quarter and the start of commencement!
Interdisciplinary team wins Small Farm prize in first-ever Farm Robotics Challenge
June 15, 2023
An interdisciplinary team of students and researchers created an autonomous weeder which was recently recognized with the Small Farm prize at the inaugural Farm Robotics Challenge.
Foodways benefit dinner advances food security at UC Santa Cruz
June 15, 2023
Alumni, donors, and friends of UC Santa Cruz gathered at the Hay Barn on June 2 to raise funds for Basic Needs programs at the university.
Novel deep learning-based software detects and tracks individual cells with high precision
June 13, 2023
Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Ali Shariati and doctoral student Abolfazl Zarageri together with several student researchers in the Shariati lab have developed and released a new deep learning model called “DeepSea,” one of the only tools with the ability to segment cells, track them and detect their division to follow lineages of cells.
Important information about the California Whistleblower Protection Act
June 13, 2023
The University’s Whistleblower Policy provides multiple avenues for employees to bring forward concerns of potential employee misconduct.
UC Santa Cruz joins Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative
June 8, 2023
The initiative provides campus leadership with a comprehensive program to foster a campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity free of antisemitism, harassment, or marginalization.
UCSC team wins third place in first-ever Amazon SimBot challenge
June 8, 2023
A team of UC Santa Cruz computer science and engineering (CSE) Ph.D. students won third place in the first-ever Amazon Alexa Prize SimBot Challenge, a university competition focused on advancing virtual assistant technology.
A career of educating
June 8, 2023
After 38 years of interdisciplinary teaching at UCSC, Professor David Brundage is retiring.
Alumna Stephanie Foo discusses her newest book
June 8, 2023
Stephanie Foo, longtime journalist and radio producer released her first book, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma, in February 2022
Astronomers observe giant tails of helium escaping Jupiter-like planet
June 7, 2023
Heat from the host star is evaporating the atmosphere from a “hot Jupiter” exoplanet, creating some of the longest gas tails ever observed around a planet.
Annual awards recognize outstanding students in the Social Sciences Division
June 6, 2023
The Division of Social Sciences’ annual Student Awards Luncheon was held on June 2 at College Nine’s Namaste Lounge.
Nominations for UC Santa Cruz's Outstanding Staff Award
June 6, 2023
Please help us honor UC Santa Cruz's outstanding staff and make your nomination for the Outstanding Staff Award today.
New exhibitions at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences bring innovative, socially engaged art to the Central Coast
June 6, 2023
Carolina Caycedo and David de Rozas: The Blessings of the Mystery and Sadie Barnette: Family Business, a multi-sited exhibition with the San José Museum of Art, will be on view at the Institute of the Arts and Sciences April 28 - September 3, 2023.
UC Santa Cruz announces recipients of Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards
June 2, 2023
The Chancellor’s Innovation Impact Awards celebrate the university’s talented faculty, researchers, staff, students, and community partners for their outstanding contributions to innovation and creativity.
Latino Alumni Network returns to UCSC
June 1, 2023
The UCSC Latino Alumni Network aims to serve their community with the help of new Co-Chairs Amaris Trujillo and Guadalupe Sanchez.
Crucial organic farming issue addressed by UC workshops, collaborations
May 31, 2023
UC Santa Cruz-based organic production specialist Joji Muramoto collaborated on a UC Cooperative Extension workshop series for organic vegetable and fruit growers on how to manage nitrogen.
Judit Moschkovich joins two national leadership programs for mathematics education
May 31, 2023
Moschkovich is now a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction and a co chair of the National Academy of Education's Equity in Math Education Research Grants (EMERG) Program.
Students find support, success through Next Generation Scholars in Applied Mathematics program
May 30, 2023
Students have found success through the Next Generation Scholars in Applied Mathematics program, which provides students scholarships and additional support such as counseling and career readiness workshops
UC Santa Cruz engineers join major transportation cybersecurity project
May 23, 2023
Researchers from UC Santa Cruz will play an important role in protecting the United States’ transportation systems against cybersecurity threats as part of a new national center
Sign up to participate in the Santa Cruz Pride Parade on June 4
May 23, 2023
Members of the UC Santa Cruz community are invited to join in this year's Santa Cruz Pride parade, which starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 4.
Huerta Center naming inspires full-circle gift
May 22, 2023
The naming of the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas hits close to home for a UCSC staff member with a family connection
Advancing Student Food Security
May 19, 2023
The university’s multi-pronged approach—including field-to-plate food security, expanded access and food pantry resources, holistic CalFresh support, student-centered basic needs research and assessment, and Slug Support program—works to ensure a safety net for UCSC students.
Karen Miga named 2023 Searle Scholar to study uncharted regions of the human genome
May 18, 2023
Karen Miga, assistant professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been named a 2023 Searle Scholar.
Campus update: Quarter winding down, commencement plans in place, enroll in Summer Session now
May 18, 2023
The next few weeks are among the busiest of the academic year. Instruction ends June 9, followed by finals, commencement, and then it’s on to summer!
Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other animals
May 17, 2023
New research proves comb jellies are a unique lineage or “sibling group” whose ancestors diverged before the common ancestor of all other animals.
UCSC ranked number two on Wall Street Journal list for top public colleges for high-paying jobs in engineering
May 16, 2023
New rankings from the Wall Street Journal place UC Santa Cruz as the number two public school for high-paying jobs in engineering, just behind UC Berkeley, and the number nine public school for high-paying jobs in data science and software.
Mark Fathi Massoud awarded Berlin Prize
May 16, 2023
Massoud's Berlin Prize fellowship will allow him to focus on research about perceptions and experiences of shari‘a in the United States.
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor talk will address the history of African American studies
May 16, 2023
On Wednesday, May 24 at 7:30pm, engaging education (e2) is honored to bring Professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to UCSC. The event will be held at Classroom Unit 2.
New director of Labor & Employee Relations
May 16, 2023
We are pleased to announce that Andrew Slobodien will be joining Staff Human Resources (SHR) as our next Director of Employee and Labor Relations.
Meeting with California lawmakers, UC Santa Cruz leaders highlight impact of teaching, research
May 16, 2023
UC Santa Cruz leaders met last week with California lawmakers to highlight the University of California's critical role in educating the state's students, conducting cutting-edge research, and ensuring the state remains a worldwide economic powerhouse.
Excellence in Action: Celebrating UCSC’s 2023 Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award Recipients
May 16, 2023
Now in its seventh year, the Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award welcomes its 2023 cohort.
UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 2 Best Public University for Making an Impact by Princeton Review
May 12, 2023
For the second year in a row, UC Santa Cruz has been ranked as the No. 2 Best Public University for Making an Impact by Princeton Review.
Dickson Emeriti Professorships awarded to faculty in music, theater arts, and biology
May 11, 2023
Three UCSC faculty members—Kathy Foley, Edward Houghton, and Susan Strome—have been honored with Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professorship Awards for the 2023–24 academic year.
Human pangenome reference will enable more complete and equitable understanding of genomic diversity
May 10, 2023
UC Santa Cruz scientists, along with a consortium of researchers, have released a draft of the first human pangenome—a new, usable reference for genomics that combines the genetic information of 47 individuals from different ancestral backgrounds to allow for a deeper, more accurate understanding of worldwide genomic diversity.
Campus researchers make history with release of first human pangenome
May 10, 2023
We are extremely proud to share the news that UC Santa Cruz scientists played a critical role in an enormous scientific achievement that boosts our understanding of human biology and genomic diversity, and will ultimately help diagnose disease and guide treatments for people worldwide.
Strategic Plan Update: Feedback requested by June 30
May 9, 2023
We are pleased to announce a critical milestone in our campus community’s work on Leading the Change: the UC Santa Cruz Strategic Plan.
UC Santa Cruz to lead data collection center for major federal project on genetic underpinnings of neurological conditions
May 9, 2023
The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute will run the Data Coordination Center for the Scalable and Systematic Neurobiology of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk Genes (SSPsyGene) Consortium.
UC Santa Cruz honored for innovative online Orientation Course
May 9, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s online summer Orientation Course has been recognized for its innovative and inclusive approach to preparing entering students. The Orientation Course was awarded the 2023 Regional II Innovative Program Award from the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education.
UCSC part of regional partnership bringing bike share to Santa Cruz County
May 9, 2023
UC Santa Cruz community members will soon have access to a new bike share system that stretches across the county. Starting this June, e-Bikes will be available to rent through the Regional Electric Bike Share Program.
UCSC prepares alumna for Peace Corps path
May 5, 2023
Alyssa Scarsciotti (Stevenson ’20, Sociology and Linguistics) dreamed of joining the Peace Corps since she was a child. After graduating from UCSC, Scarsciotti is making her dream a reality.
Full support of staff participating in staff organizations
May 5, 2023
Every member of the UC Santa Cruz community has a role in fostering and sustaining a safe, caring and welcoming campus environment.
Changes in Back-up Care Tax implications
May 5, 2023
Effective, May 12, 2023, employees or students who use the Back-up Care Program will be required to pay taxes on the imputed or miscellaneous income corresponding to the hours of care used.
Statement from Chancellor Larive on antisemitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ incidents
May 5, 2023
These acts are abhorrent and antithetical to our values and commitment to access to higher education.
Center for Agroecology will support new USDA Regional Food Business Center
May 4, 2023
The University of California, Santa Cruz will support the establishment of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Food Business Center to support resilient food systems.
Ed Green named QB3-Santa Cruz Scientific Director
May 3, 2023
Richard (Ed) Green, professor of biomolecular engineering, has been selected to serve as the next director of the California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) at UC Santa Cruz.
Deep neural network provides robust detection of disease biomarkers in real time
May 2, 2023
Holger Schmidt's lab has developed a deep neural network that improves the accuracy of their unique devices for detecting pathogen biomarkers.
UC Santa Cruz and United Way invest in youth perspective in researching mental health throughout local communities
May 2, 2023
Beginning in early 2021, UC Santa Cruz partnered with the United Way of Santa Cruz County’s Youth Action Network, seeking to support youth empowerment and leadership. As part of that vital work, the partners were recognized as the United Way Partner of the Year.
Meet UCSC’s new Chief of Police Kevin Domby
May 2, 2023
UC Santa Cruz’s newly appointed Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Kevin Domby credits his high school art teacher with introducing him to the idea of a career in public service. "Throughout my career, whether it was when I was a teacher or as a peace officer, I've enjoyed mentoring, training and teaching," Domby said.
Second Decarbonization & Electrification Town Hall Meeting
May 2, 2023
Join us next week for the Decarbonization & Electrification (D&E) Task Force's second town hall gathering.
UCSC environmental governance expert named to NASEM committee addressing methane gas emissions
May 1, 2023
Environmental Studies Professor Sikina Jinnah has been appointed as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee for Atmospheric Methane Removal to assess viable technological options for reducing a powerful greenhouse gas.
Rejecting hate on our campus
April 30, 2023
We unequivocally condemn these – and all – antisemitic and anti-LGBTQIA+ actions.
New annual testing program to verify our water quality
April 25, 2023
In an effort to promote openness related to our drinking water and provide assurance that it continues to meet or exceed state and federal quality standards, I am pleased to share that we will begin a new annual testing program.
Summer Session is launching Pay for Only 10
April 25, 2023
UCSC Summer Session is launching Pay for Only 10, in which payment is capped at 10 credits in tuition—making summer degree progress less expensive .
Peter Bratt announced as 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient
April 24, 2023
Rockefeller Fellow, Peabody Award winner, Emmy-nominated film producer, writer, director, community organizer, and social justice activist Peter Bratt is UC Santa Cruz’s 2023 Social Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
Electrical engineer wins award to support improvement of efficient, low-cost agricultural soil sensor systems
April 24, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Colleen Josephson is a recipient of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s (FFAR) 2022 New Innovator in Food & Agriculture Research Award.
New stable isotope map of Angola helps archaeologists trace individual life histories across the African Diaspora
April 21, 2023
UCSC researchers' methods could provide significantly more detail and certainty in identifying first-generation enslaved individuals in the Americas and tracing back their origins within Africa than was previously possible through strontium isotope analysis work or genetic analysis.
From the ground up: UCSC Men's Rugby finishes historic season
April 21, 2023
Jeremy Sanford, Patrick Halpin, Guido Bordignon, Simon Nicholls, and Marcus Viscardi are the forces behind one of UCSC's most historic and competitive sports teams on campus: Rugby. UCSC Men’s Rugby finishes their inaugural season in D1A.
Indirect cost recovery changes for fiscal year 2024
April 18, 2023
Attention Principal Investigators: UC Santa Cruz recently updated its federal Facilities and Administration (F&A) agreement approving indirect cost recovery rates for sponsored contracts and grants.
No lead detected in water samples
April 18, 2023
We're happy to report that this sensitive and accurate testing of our water samples did not detect any lead. The tests conducted were extremely rigorous.
Two film and digital media faculty receive 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship Awards
April 18, 2023
Sharon Daniel and Anna Friz were among 171 artists, scholars, scientists and writers selected from nearly 2,500 applicants for the award.
Annual climate change event takes aim at heat and human health for 2023
April 17, 2023
The ninth annual Confronting Climate Change event gathered top scholars to discuss the health impacts of climate change and the social and economic transformations needed to address them.
In Memoriam: Margaret I. Fitzsimmons
April 17, 2023
Banana Slugs seek to advance conversational AI in all three Amazon Alexa Prize challenges
April 17, 2023
Three teams of UC Santa Cruz Baskin School of Engineering students are developing next-generation, multimodal AI-powered systems for a chance to win $500,000 or more per challenge.
Ensuring our water quality
April 15, 2023
We take seriously the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, and want to do all we can to ensure our water quality continues to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements. We will provide updates as we learn more.
Rebecca London testifies in support of bill that would guarantee recess for California students
April 14, 2023
Associate Professor of Sociology Rebecca London testified before the California State Senate Education Committee on April 12 in support of SB 291, which would guarantee at least 30 minutes of recess per day for California students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Coming to Fruition
April 13, 2023
UCSC alumni Tallula Preston and David Purgason founded Watsonville based Fruition Brewing in 2019. Four years later, the duo’s establishment is a staple in the Santa Cruz and Watsonville communities.
Campus Update: Celebrating Earth Day, thanks for Spring Give supporters, astrophysicist on ‘60 Minutes’
April 13, 2023
Our campus has long championed environmental justice and sustainability, and continues to teach and train some of the nation's top environmental professionals and practitioners.
Naming system for transfer RNA fragments will increase research productivity, standardization
April 12, 2023
UC Santa Cruz Professor of Biomolecular Engineering Todd Lowe and his group created a new naming scheme for tRNA fragments aimed at standardizing research.
Representing her community
April 12, 2023
A daughter of a Vietnamese refugee and a Mexican immigrant, Kim Bernice Nguyen advocates for her community as the youngest person to hold a seat on the Garden Grove City Council. In Jan. 2023, Nguyen announced her run for Congress.
Colombian all-female team uncovers naturalist Elizabeth Kerr’s long-forgotten legacy
April 11, 2023
Many fields of study have long been dominated by men but a team of eight female Colombian researchers are committed to uncovering the story of naturalist pioneer Elizabeth Kerr, whose legacy had remained invisible despite her vast contributions to ornithology.
Final Report of the Implementation Task Force for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education (the ITF)
April 11, 2023
It is my pleasure to transmit the final report of the Implementation Task Force for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education (the ITF).
Faculty and staff course material open house
April 11, 2023
The process for faculty to post their reading and resource lists has been streamlined. Akademos representatives will be on campus this Thursday, April 13, to answer your questions.
Fireworks not allowed on campus, pose significant fire risk
April 10, 2023
On Saturday evening, an unknown person set off a firework in a grassy area near the West Remote Parking Lot.
Two major stem cell research projects supported with more than $2.6 million in funding
April 6, 2023
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) will provide more than $2.6 million in total funding for two major stem cell research projects led by scientists at UC Santa Cruz, the organization announced.
Food system researcher Julie Guthman wins distinguished career award
April 5, 2023
Professor of sociology and community studies Julie Guthman was recognized with the Distinguished Career Award by the Cultural and Political Ecology speciality group of the American Association of Geographers.
April in Santa Cruz Music Festival goes beyond the norm
April 4, 2023
This year's April in Santa Cruz Contemporary Music Festival takes up forces of dedication and imagination featuring wide-ranging musicians. The festival opens on Thursday, April 13, 2023 and continues with performances on April 14, 17, 21 in the UC Santa Cruz Music Center Recital Hall, and closes on April 30th at The Lab in San Francisco. All live, in-person performances are free and open to the public.
Milestone land acknowledgement event brings campus, local tribe and community members together
April 4, 2023
On Wednesday, April 12, the campus will host its first Land Acknowledgment event, recognizing the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and its place in the local history of the land and the creation of UC Santa Cruz. The event will aim to answer the community’s questions about land acknowledgments, and the importance of such events moving forward.
White House cites Rob Fairlie’s research in annual economic report
April 4, 2023
Economics Professor Rob Fairlie’s research on race and ethnicity in higher education was cited in the 2023 Economic Report of the President.
New program advises UCSC Ph.D. students on their path to entrepreneurship and venture capital
March 30, 2023
Many student-led innovations never make it out of the lab. A new program at UC Santa Cruz aims to change that by mentoring Ph.D. students in the life sciences on alternative career pathways outside academia: entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Community health guidance for returning from spring break
March 30, 2023
As you prepare to return to campus and begin spring quarter, we write to share community health guidance as related to COVID-19.
Spring 2023 Emeriti Lecture: Peace Teachers In and From Soledad Prison
March 28, 2023
John Brown Childs began offering courses on transcommunality at Soledad Correctional Facility eighteen years ago. Almost two decades later, his teachings continue to transform the lives of incarcerated men in Soledad.
A scholar in his own community: Kevin Weatherwax
March 28, 2023
Computational Media Ph.D. student Kevin Weatherwax's research is supported through the Piatt Fellowship, a scholarship for doctoral students from Santa Cruz County.
Humans and housing density are the leading cause of death for local pumas
March 27, 2023
Two new studies involving UC Santa Cruz researchers are shedding light on the challenges facing local pumas where humans are encroaching on their natural habitats.
Honoring the contributions of Gordon Moore
March 27, 2023
Science has lost one of its greatest champions with the death of Gordon Moore, a visionary engineer whose pioneering work on semiconductors set the stage for a technological revolution that changed the world in countless ways and enabled research breakthroughs in fields far and wide.
Pedroza received Russell Sage Foundation Pipeline Grant
March 25, 2023
Assistant Professor Juan Manuel Pedroza aims to learn more about these challenges and speak to them, with the help of a recently awarded grant from the Russell Sage Foundation.
Grant funds Sarker's aquaculture sustainability research
March 25, 2023
Pallab Sarker received a foundation grant fund from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, amounting to $170,947 over three years to strengthen his lab’s ecological aquaculture work.
Thankful for our community
March 22, 2023
We are so proud to be part of our outstanding Banana Slug community.
Computer engineering research prompts bug fixes, updates to major GPU frameworks
March 21, 2023
A new suite of GPU tests developed by Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Tyler Sorensen and his students led to changes to an important GPU framework for programming web browsers.
Center for Labor and Community opens on UC Santa Cruz campus
March 21, 2023
Scholars studying the economic and social impacts of a variety of labor and employment issues facing workers in Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Area just announced the opening of a new center on campus that will provide timely and policy-relevant labor research, will educate the next generation of labor and community leaders and will advance labor, community, and occupational health initiatives.
Supporting our neighbors in need
March 17, 2023
The university has reached out to students from the Pajaro area offering support and campus resources.
Regent action advances Student Housing West
March 16, 2023
UC Santa Cruz, following finance and project approvals earlier today by the UC Board of Regents, is now able to move ahead with construction of our long-planned 3,000-bed Student Housing West project.
Researcher solves nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma
March 14, 2023
Dejan Milutinovic has solved a nearly 60-year-old game theory dilemma called the wall pursuit game, with implications for better reasoning about autonomous systems such as driverless vehicles.
Local educators shared expertise at the first STEM Education Central Coast Conference
March 14, 2023
The conference, which was organized by California State University Monterey Bay in collaboration with UC Santa Cruz, was designed by and for local educators in science, technology, engineering and math. The goal was to share expertise.